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Birth weight doubling time of Thai infants
Chutima Sirikulchayanonta1, Kiatsuda Boonmee, Paradee Temcharoen
1Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. ravsr@mahidol.ac.th
Insights
Birth weight doubling time (BWDT) in Thai infants averaged 114 days, with males reaching this milestone faster than females. Key factors influencing BWDT included birth weight and daily weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infant Growth Assessment
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Birth weight doubling time (BWDT) is a standard infant growth indicator, primarily studied in Western populations.
- Limited data exists on BWDT for South East Asian and other Asian infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the birth weight doubling time (BWDT) for Thai infants.
- To identify variables related to BWDT in this population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study followed 335 normal Thai infants (birth weight 2,500–4,000g) from January to August 1999.
- Data collected included infant sex, birth weight, maternal education, occupation, income, and feeding practices.
- Infants were monitored until their birth weight doubled.
Main Results:
- The mean BWDT was 114 days.
- Male infants achieved BWDT significantly faster (104 days) than females (123 days).
- Lower birth weight, higher daily weight gain, and absence of complementary feeding were associated with shorter BWDT. Multivariate analysis confirmed birth weight and daily weight gain as significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Birth weight and daily weight gain are significant factors influencing BWDT in Thai infants.
- Both prenatal and postnatal factors likely play a role in determining infant growth trajectories.
Background:
For decades, birth weight doubling time (BWDT) has been used as an indicator for the assessment of physical growth of infants. However, the relevant data in the literature were obtained mainly from western subjects and no similar studies have been carried out for South EastAsian or otherAsian countries.
Objective:
To determine BWDT and related variables forThai infants.
Methods:
A study was conducted from January to August 1999 at the well baby clinic of Bamrasnaradura Hospital. Apparently normal infants (335) with birth weight between 2,500 and 4,000 grams were recruited and followed up until they had doubled their birth weights. Data on infant birth weight, sex, mother education, occupation, income and feeding practices were collected.
Results:
The mean BWDT was 114 days which was slightly less than that given in previous reports. Male infants doubled their birth weights in less time (104 days) than females (123 days) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Infants with lower birth weights doubled their birth weights earlier than those with higher birth weights (p < 0.001). Infants who were not given complementary food had shorter BWDT than those who were (p < 0.001), but we could not demonstrate any significant association between BWDT and type of food, mother's education or family income (p > 0.05). Factors that did affect BWDT were birth weight, sex, daily weight gain and use of complementary food. However, by multivariate analysis only birth weight and daily weight gain showed significant association with BWDT (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Both prenatal and postnatal factors may affect BWDT significantly.
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