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Caregiving arrangement and nutrition: good news with some reservations
R A Goodwin1, A C Buchholz, M K McKim
1Department of Family Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario.
Insights
Childcare arrangements did not significantly affect infant nutrition. However, iron status remained a concern for toddlers and infants in this study, indicating a need for continued monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Childcare arrangements can influence infant and toddler health.
- Assessing nutritional status, including iron and folate levels, is crucial for early childhood development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate how different childcare settings impact the iron and folate status of young children.
- To compare nutritional and health outcomes among infants and toddlers in various care environments.
Main Methods:
- 189 children (2-29 months) were assessed pre- and post-childcare entry.
- Nutritional status was determined through dietary records, anthropometry, and biochemical markers (hematocrit, serum ferritin).
- Illness frequency and medical visits were tracked via telephone interviews.
Main Results:
- Median nutrient intake met Canadian recommendations across all care arrangements.
- Despite adequate nutrition, 15 out of 65 children had low hematocrit levels at 6 months post-childcare entry.
- Children experienced frequent medical visits and antibiotic prescriptions, irrespective of care type.
Conclusions:
- Infants and toddlers in the study were generally well-nourished, with no significant differences based on childcare arrangement.
- Iron status is a potential area of concern for infants and toddlers, warranting further attention.
- The study highlights the importance of monitoring micronutrient status in young children within diverse care settings.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of caregiving arrangement on the iron and folate status of infants and toddlers reared at home or enrolled in centre-based, independent home, or licensed home care. One hundred and eighty-nine children aged 2 to 29 months were assessed 1 month prior to child care entry and at 6 months after entry into child care. Dietary (24-hour records), anthropometric (height, weight, head circumference) and biochemical (red blood cell folate, hematocrit, transferrin, and serum ferritin concentrations) methods were used to assess nutritional status. Frequency of illness was determined by a series of telephone interviews. Median intake of nutrients exceeded Canadian recommendations, regardless of care arrangement. Fifteen of 65 children had hematocrit values below age-specific cutoffs at the 6-month post-entry to child care visit. Children were frequently taken to obtain medical advice (average of 4 to 6 times during the study period) and 75% of subjects were prescribed at least one course of antibiotics. In conclusion, infants and toddlers in this study were generally well nourished, regardless of child care arrangement; however, iron status may remain an issue in this sample of infants and toddlers.