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Growth in the first year in children following IAP Policy on Infant Feeding
1Department of Pediatrics, S.C.B. Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, Orissa, India.
Insights
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) infant feeding policy supports adequate growth in the first year for non-low birth weight infants. This study tracked infant growth patterns using IAP guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition
- Growth Monitoring
Background:
- Infant feeding practices significantly impact child development.
- The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) provides guidelines for infant nutrition.
- Understanding growth patterns is crucial for assessing infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the growth trajectory of infants during their first year.
- To assess the efficacy of the IAP Policy on Infant Feeding.
- To analyze growth patterns based on weight-for-age and length-for-age metrics.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study design was employed.
- 114 infants (birth weight ≥ 2500g) were followed from birth to 12 months.
- Growth parameters (weight, length) were assessed and compared against NCHS-WHO and BFDS data using Z-scores.
Main Results:
- Weight-for-age Z-scores showed an initial increase followed by a decline when using NCHS-WHO data.
- Length-for-age Z-scores exhibited a minimal downward trend.
- Growth increments closely aligned with BFDS data up to 12 months of age.
Conclusions:
- The IAP Policy on Infant Feeding promotes adequate growth in the first year for infants not born with low birth weight.
- The study provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of IAP feeding recommendations.
Objective:
To study the growth pattern in the first year in children fed according to recommendations of IAP Policy on Infant Feeding.
Design:
Longitudinal.
Setting:
Department of Pediatrics, S.C.B. Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, Orissa.
Subjects And Methods:
114 infants (68 boys and 46 girls) with birth weight greater than or equal to 2500g from upper and middle S-E status were regularly followed up from birth to 12 mo of age and fed according to recommendations of IAP Policy on Infant Feeding. Mean and standard deviations of weight for age (W/A) and length for age (L/A) and mean Z scores for W/A, L/A and W/L (weight for length) were calculated separately for boys and girls with reference to NCHS-WHO and BFDS data.
Observations:
Mean Z scores for W/A with reference to NCHS-WHO data showed a positive trend from birth upto the age of 3 to 4 months, subsequently declining upto one year. The Z scores for L/A showed only a minimal downward trend. The W/L Z score remained above the baseline value up to 3 months in boys and 7 months in girls. When BFDS was taken as the reference, W/A Z scores showed consistent positive increments, from birth in girls and 1 mo in boys. L/A Z scores increased from 3 months in boys and 11 months in girls. Using NCHS data as the reference, the percentage of infants below -2SD for weight was 0 to 7% during first 6 months and 14% at 12 months. Ten% were below -2SD for length at 12 months. With BFDS as the reference, the percentage of infants below -2SD for weight was 25% at birth, 5% at 6 months and 12% at 1 yr. For length, it was 12% at birth and 8% at 1 year. The increments in weight and length closely followed BFDS upto 12 mo age.
Conclusion:
The IAP Policy on Infant Feeding results in adequate growth of non low birth weight infants in the first year of life.