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Infant feeding and growth: a study on Turkish infants from birth to 6 months
1Republic of Turkey, Bakirköy State Hospital, Clinics of Pediatrics, Turkey. donmaohm@istanbul.edu.tr
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding is best for infant growth in Turkey. This study found that exclusively breast-fed infants showed the closest weight to norms and sufficient growth during the first six months of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infant Nutrition
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Investigating the impact of infant feeding patterns on physical growth and mental development.
- Comparing growth trajectories of Turkish infants with international benchmarks.
- Focusing on the critical first six months of infant life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and formula feeding on infant growth.
- To compare the growth patterns of Turkish infants across different feeding modalities.
- To establish optimal feeding practices for newborns in Turkey.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 172 healthy newborns was divided into three groups: exclusively breast-fed (BF), mixed-fed (MF), and formula-fed (FF).
- Infants were assessed for anthropometric measurements (weight and length) at birth and monthly up to six months.
- Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and modified t-tests to compare growth parameters.
Main Results:
- Exclusively breast-fed infants exhibited weight values closest to standard norms.
- Formula-fed infants showed lower weight in the first three months but higher weight gain in the subsequent three months compared to breast-fed infants.
- Both exclusively breast-fed and mixed-fed infants demonstrated comparable length increments from birth to six months.
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is the most suitable feeding method for newborn infants in Turkey.
- Exclusive breastfeeding adequately supports infant growth during the crucial first six months of life.
- Findings support the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for optimal infant development in the Turkish population.
Background:
To evaluate the impact of various feeding patterns on the physical growth and mental development of infants, particularly during the first 6 months of life, and to compare growth patterns of Turkish infants with those of infants living in various countries.
Methods:
One hundred and seventy-two healthy newborn infants were included in the study and were divided into three feeding groups: (i) 62 infants were exclusively breast-fed (BF); (ii) 58 infants were mixed-fed (MF) with both breast milk and formula; and (iii) 52 infants were formula-fed (FF). Infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months of age. Anthropometry was repeated on each occasion. The weight and length of the infants was also recorded. Analysis of variance and modified t-test were used for statistical evaluation of the results.
Results:
Values in the BF group were the closest to the tabular norms for weight. Infants in the FF group tended towards a lower weight during the first 3 months (P < 0.05). During the second 3 months, weight gain observed in the FF group was significantly higher than that of BF infants. In comparison with MF infants, a significant progressive weight gain was detected in BF infants (P < 0.05). The values obtained for length increments were consistent with those for weight (P < 0.05 for BF vs FF). No significant difference was found between the length increments detected for BF and MF infants from birth to 6 months.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that exclusive breast-feeding is the most appropriate feeding pattern for newborn infants in Turkey and is sufficient during the first 6 months, the most important fraction of life.