Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000 growth charts and the growth of breastfed infants

M de Onis1, A W Onyango

  • 1Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. deonism@who.int

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show differences in assessing healthy breastfed infants compared to international standards. A specialized reference for breastfed infants is needed for accurate growth assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Growth and Development
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Current growth charts, such as those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are widely used for assessing infant growth.
  • However, these charts may not accurately reflect the growth patterns of exclusively breastfed infants, who have distinct growth trajectories.
  • The National Center for Health Statistics/World Health Organization (NCHS/WHO) reference is another widely used standard.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance of the 2000 CDC growth charts in assessing the growth of healthy breastfed infants.
  • To compare the CDC growth charts with the NCHS/WHO reference for this specific population.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal sample of 226 healthy breastfed infants was analyzed.
  • Weight-for-age (WA), length-for-age (LA), and weight-for-length (WL) z-scores were calculated using both CDC and NCHS/WHO references.
  • Age-specific mean z-scores and proportions above/below cut-off points were determined.

Main Results:

  • Breastfed infants exhibited faster early growth (first 2 months) and slower later growth (3-12 months) compared to CDC WA curves.
  • Linear growth (LA) exceeded the CDC median until 4 months, then declined.
  • The CDC reference indicated infants were heavier and shorter, leading to a higher estimated prevalence of wasting compared to the NCHS/WHO reference.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences exist in the growth trajectories of breastfed infants when assessed using the CDC reference compared to the NCHS/WHO reference.
  • A dedicated growth reference based on healthy breastfed infants is necessary for accurate assessment of infants following international feeding recommendations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling07:11

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling

Published on: February 5, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Growth Curve01:28

Bacterial Growth Curve

The bacterial growth curve is a fundamental concept in microbiology that describes the dynamics of bacterial population growth in a closed system with controlled environmental conditions, such as temperature and nutrient availability. This curve is divided into four distinct phases: lag, log (exponential), stationary, and death phases, each reflecting a unique stage of bacterial adaptation and growth. During the lag phase, bacteria acclimate to their surroundings by synthesizing essential...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods01:23

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods

Direct methods for measuring microbial populations in a culture are essential tools in microbiology, providing quantitative data for various applications. Among these, microscopic counts, plate counts, and serial dilution are widely used techniques, each with unique principles and applications.Microscopic CountsMicroscopic counting involves the use of a Petroff-Hausser chamber, a specialized microscope slide with a grid and defined depth. By observing a liquid culture under a microscope,...
Microbial Growth Media01:27

Microbial Growth Media

Microbial growth media are essential tools in microbiology, providing the nutrients and conditions necessary to cultivate and study microorganisms. These media are categorized by their composition, consistency, and functional roles, enabling researchers to investigate microbial physiology, behavior, and interactions.Types and Consistencies of Growth MediaGrowth media can be solid, liquid, or semisolid. Solid media, often agar-based, allow visible colony growth for isolation and enumeration.
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Exponential Equations for Modeling Growth01:26

Exponential Equations for Modeling Growth

Exponential models are essential for describing rapid, multiplicative changes in natural systems, such as population growth. When a population doubles at regular intervals, the process can be modeled using a suitable base. For instance, a bacterial culture that doubles every three hours follows the model n(t)=n0⋅2t/3, where n(t) is the population at the time t.A more general model uses the natural base e, especially for continuous growth. This takes the form n(t)=n0⋅ert, where r is the relative...