Effects of Cooking with Liquefied Petroleum Gas or Biomass on Stunting in Infants

In a randomized trial involving 3200 pregnant women across Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda, researchers evaluated whether replacing biomass stoves with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstoves could reduce stunting in infants. Participants in the intervention group received LPG stoves with continuous fuel delivery, while controls continued using biomass. At 12 months, stunting was found in 27.4% of the intervention group and 25.2% of the control group (RR: 1.10; P=0.12). Despite significant reductions in pollutant exposure, the intervention did not reduce infant stunting. The study suggests that cleaner cooking alone may not sufficiently address the multifactorial causes of childhood stunting.

In a randomized trial involving 3200 pregnant women across Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda, researchers evaluated whether replacing biomass stoves with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstoves could reduce stunting in infants. Participants in the intervention group received LPG stoves with continuous fuel delivery, while controls continued using biomass. At 12 months, stunting was found in 27.4% of the intervention group and 25.2% of the control group (RR: 1.10; P=0.12). Despite significant reductions in pollutant exposure, the intervention did not reduce infant stunting. The study suggests that cleaner cooking alone may not sufficiently address the multifactorial causes of childhood stunting.