Exclusively breast-fed healthy infants grow slower than reference infants

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Published on: February 15, 2018

L Salmenperä, J Perheentupa, M A Siimes

    Pediatric Research
    |March 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Exclusive breast-feeding led to slower infant length growth and lower protein intake compared to formula feeding. While protein intake was below recommendations, no definitive protein deficiency was found, though some infants showed catch-up growth.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Human Nutrition
    • Infant Development

    Background:

    • Exclusive breast-feeding is recommended for infant nutrition.
    • Concerns exist regarding the adequacy of nutrients, particularly protein, in exclusively breast-fed infants.
    • Long-term growth and nutritional status require prospective evaluation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the nutritional adequacy of exclusive breast-feeding during the first year of life.
    • To prospectively monitor growth and protein nutrition in exclusively breast-fed infants.
    • To compare growth parameters and protein status with a group of early-weaned infants.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective study following exclusively breast-fed infants and a comparison group receiving formula and solids.
    • Monitoring of infant growth parameters including length, weight, and skinfolds.
    • Assessment of protein intake and serum prealbumin concentrations at various time points.

    Main Results:

    • Exclusively breast-fed infants exhibited slower length velocity after 3 months and a progressive lag in relative length by 9 months.
    • No significant decrease in relative weight was observed; infants were heavier for their length.
    • Calculated protein intake was substantially lower than recommended, and serum prealbumin was lower in the breast-fed group, though no direct correlation with growth was found.

    Conclusions:

    • Exclusive breast-feeding may be associated with slower linear growth, but evidence of protein deficiency was not definitively established.
    • Lower protein intake and reduced serum prealbumin warrant consideration, but do not conclusively indicate malnutrition.
    • Further research is needed to determine if slower growth is physiological or indicative of subtle nutritional deficits.

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