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Early complementary feeding is associated with low nutritional status of young infants recovering from diarrhoea
Insights
Early complementary feeding in infants, often due to perceived insufficient breast milk, is linked to malnutrition. This practice, starting around 27 days, negatively impacts infant weight-for-age and weight-for-length, highlighting a critical need for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Diarrhea is a common reason for infant hospitalization.
- Early complementary feeding practices are prevalent among young infants.
- Maternal perceptions significantly influence infant feeding decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify reasons for early complementary feeding in hospitalized infants.
- To examine the impact of early complementary feeding on infant nutritional status.
- To assess the relationship between feeding practices and malnutrition.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 132 infants admitted to the hospital for diarrhea.
- Infant feeding history, including breastfeeding status and age of complementary feeding initiation, was collected.
- Nutritional status was assessed using weight-for-age and weight-for-length, compared against National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards.
Main Results:
- 71% of infants were breastfed, 24% had stopped, and 5% never breastfed.
- Complementary feeding began at a median age of 27 days, driven by maternal concerns about insufficient breast milk (53%) or milk causing diarrhea (19%).
- Infants receiving early complementary feeds (before 2 months) showed significantly lower mean weight-for-age (72% vs. 82% NCHS, P=0.01) and weight-for-length (86% vs. 91% NCHS, P=0.04) compared to those starting later.
Conclusions:
- Early complementary feeding is associated with poorer nutritional status in young infants.
- Maternal perceptions regarding breast milk are key drivers for early introduction of solids.
- The trend of early complementary feeding should be strongly discouraged to prevent infant malnutrition.
Abstract:
Young infants admitted to hospital for diarrhoea were studied to identify and understand the reasons for early complementary feeding and to examine its effect on nutritional status. Of 132 infants, 71 percent were being breastfed, 24 percent had already stopped, and 5 percent had never been breastfed. Complementary feeds were started by the mothers when infants' median age (range) was 27 (1-180) days. Mothers' perceptions regarding breastmilk being insufficient (53 per cent) or causing diarrhoea (19 percent), were the major reasons for complementary feeding. The mean weight-for-age of the infants given complementary feeds before the age of 2 months was 72 percent of the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards, compared to 82 percent in those starting after 2 months of age (P = 0.01). Similarly, the mean weight-for-length in these two groups were 86 and 91 percent, respectively (P = 0.04). Initiation of early complementary feeding is associated with infant malnutrition and this alarming trend should be strongly discouraged.