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Is breast feeding the solution to the infant nutrition problem in underdeveloped countries?
Child: Care, Health and Development
|November 1, 1986
Insights
This study found that malnutrition rates were similar across exclusively breastfed, mixed-fed, and exclusively cow
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Infant Health
Background:
- Infant nutrition is a critical public health concern.
- Breast milk is often considered the optimal nutrition source for infants.
- Cow's milk-based formulas are a common alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of breast milk in addressing infant nutrition challenges.
- To compare malnutrition rates among different infant feeding practices.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 133 infants (birth to 1 year) was studied.
- Infants were categorized into three feeding groups: exclusive breast milk, mixed feeding (breast milk and cow's milk), and exclusive cow's milk.
- Malnutrition prevalence was assessed for each group.
Main Results:
- Malnutrition was observed in 33% of exclusively breastfed infants.
- Malnutrition affected 44.4% of infants on mixed feeding.
- 47% of infants fed exclusively cow's milk were malnourished.
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding did not significantly reduce malnutrition rates compared to mixed or exclusive cow's milk feeding in this cohort.
- Infant feeding practices require further investigation to optimize nutritional outcomes.
- Addressing infant malnutrition necessitates a comprehensive approach beyond feeding type alone.
Abstract:
One hundred and thirty-three children from birth to 1 year of age were studied to investigate the value of breast milk as a solution to the infant nutrition problem. Fifteen per cent of the children were being fed exclusively breast milk, 44 (44.4%) were fed breast milk plus cow's milk and 40.6% were fed only cow's milk. Thirty-three per cent of the breast fed children, 44.4% of those on mixed feeding and 47% of those on cow's milk alone, were malnourished.