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Growth patterns in breastfed babies during first six months of life

S Mathur1, G P Mathur, U Gupta

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur.

Indian Pediatrics
|March 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding supports infant growth, but some newborns in urban slums showed slower weight gain after three months compared to NCHS standards. Continued promotion of breastfeeding is recommended for optimal infant development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Human Nutrition

Background:

  • Infant growth monitoring is crucial for assessing nutritional status.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by global health organizations for the first six months of life.
  • Understanding growth patterns in diverse populations, such as urban slums, is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the growth of exclusively breastfed newborns in urban slums up to six months of age.
  • To compare infant growth parameters with established national and international standards.
  • To evaluate the adequacy of exclusive breastfeeding for infant development in this specific demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study of 126 exclusively breastfed normal newborns in urban slums, Gorakhpur.
  • Regular anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference, chest circumference) were taken up to six months.
  • Growth data were compared against National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) standards.

Main Results:

  • Infant weight tracked the 25th percentile of NCHS standards up to 3 months but declined thereafter.
  • Average length remained between the 25th and 50th percentiles of NCHS data.
  • Head circumference percentiles varied, with boys falling between the 10th and 25th percentiles at later months.
  • Weight, length, and circumference measurements were comparable to ICMR standards.

Conclusions:

  • While length and head circumference showed acceptable growth relative to NCHS standards, weight faltered after three months for some infants.
  • Measurements were comparable to ICMR standards, suggesting regional variations in growth references.
  • The study underscores the importance of promoting exclusive breastfeeding for adequate infant growth, while acknowledging potential challenges in specific environments.

Keywords:
AnthropometryAsiaBiologyBreast FeedingChild DevelopmentDemographic FactorsDeveloping CountriesGrowthHealthIndiaInfant NutritionMeasurementNutritionPopulationPopulation CharacteristicsResearch MethodologyResearch ReportSex FactorsSouthern AsiaUrban Population

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