[The effect of breast feeding on anthropometric indicators in very young children]

K Kuba1, A Novák

  • 1Nemocnice s poliklinikou, Ivancice.

Ceskoslovenska Pediatrie
|October 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Longer breastfeeding duration (over four months) initially resulted in lighter infants but led to more harmonious growth by age three. Weight differences balanced over time, with some positive impact on height increments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Development
  • Nutritional Science

Context:

  • Study analyzed growth in 4,217 Southern Moravia children from birth to three years.
  • Anthropometric data were assessed based on birth weight subgroups.
  • Breastfeeding duration was the primary independent variable.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding duration and child growth up to three years of age.
  • To determine the impact of breastfeeding on anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and circumferences.
  • To assess the influence on growth indices and proportionality.

Summary:

  • Infants breastfed longer than four months were lighter in the first six months but showed balanced weight by age three.
  • Height and weight increments showed variations, with longer breastfeeding correlating with more harmonious growth indices.
  • Head and chest circumferences were minimally affected by breastfeeding duration.

Impact:

  • Findings suggest breastfeeding duration influences early growth patterns and proportionality.
  • Provides insights into long-term growth trajectories related to infant feeding practices.
  • Highlights the nuanced effects of breastfeeding on different anthropometric measures.

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