Comparative study of growth of Chinese infants: Hong Kong versus Guangzhou

The growth of 174 infants from Hong Kong and 221 infants from Guangzhou from birth to 2 years were compared. Ethnic origins, parental size, and birth weights were similar. Common illnesses in the two groups were upper respiratory tract infection and diarrhoea. The early infant feeding practices were different, with more breastfeeding and earlier introduction of solids in Guangzhou. Compared to those of Hong Kong, Guangzhou babies had lower weight for length in the first year of life. Within the Guangzhou group, babies totally breastfed for the first 2-4 months were heavier than those given rice cereals as supplement and they had less diarrhoea in the first 6 months. Hong Kong infants suffered more diarrhoea than the Guangzhou group. It was concluded that breastfeeding should be promoted and supported in these two cities.