[Inadequate feeding practices between month 4 and 6 and its association with nutritional deficit in a group of...

Adequate practices in food consumption are fundamental for child health, nutrition and growth. In order to detect associations between the inadequate practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), predominant and/or complimentary in the first 4 to 6 months of life, and deficiencies in growth and malnutrition, 240 lactating infants younger than 24 months were evaluated in a low income urban area in the city of Valencia, Venezuela (2006). For the practice of breastfeeding, two groups were identified: children who received EBF in that period of time, and those who did not receive it (No EBF). Z scores were calculated for the indicators of Weight for Height (W/H) and Height for Age (H/A), using the CDC reference. Any value under -2 Z was considered deficient, normal between -2 Z y +2 Z, and excess >+2 Z. The non-parametrical Mann-Whitney test and Odd ratio (95% confidence interval) were used for associations. 27% of the children received EBF. The deficit for W/H and H/A was of 11,3% and 5,4%, respectively. Risk of nutritional deficit was 5,25 for those with No EBF. Even though the effect of other socio-demographic variables on the causes of nutritional deficit was not evaluated in the present investigation, it is to be suggested that the EBF between the first 4 to 6 months of life diminished the adverse effects of these variables on the nutritional state.