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The influence of feeding patterns on head circumference among Turkish infants during the first 6 months of life
1Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, Bakirköy State Hospital, Clinic of Paediatrics, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Exclusive breast feeding (BF) shows superior infant head circumference growth in the first month and at six months compared to mixed-feeding (MF) and formula-feeding (FF). This highlights BF
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infant Nutrition
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Infant feeding patterns significantly influence early physical growth and cognitive development.
- Head circumference is a key indicator of brain growth and overall infant health.
- Understanding the impact of different feeding methods on infant development is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of exclusive breast feeding (BF), mixed feeding (MF), and formula feeding (FF) on infant head circumference.
- To compare head circumference measurements at birth, 1 month, and 6 months across different feeding groups.
- To assess the adequacy of head circumference growth relative to standard curves based on feeding patterns.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 172 healthy newborns categorized into BF (62), MF (58), and FF (52) groups.
- Head circumference was measured at birth, 1 month, and 6 months of age.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare measurements between groups and against standard growth curves.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in head circumference at birth across all feeding groups.
- Exclusively breast-fed infants showed significantly larger head circumferences at 1 month compared to MF and FF infants (P < 0.05).
- At 6 months, head circumference-for-age values in MF and FF groups were significantly below those of the BF group and standard curves (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breast feeding supports optimal head circumference growth in infants during the critical first six months of life.
- Mixed feeding and formula feeding may be associated with slower head circumference growth compared to exclusive breast feeding.
- Exclusive breast feeding appears sufficient for infant development during the first six months.
Abstract:
The influence of various feeding patterns on physical growth and mental development of the infant, particularly during the first 6 months of life, is an important subject. Head circumference values of 172 healthy new-born infants were included in the study; 62 were exclusively breast-fed (BF), 58 were mixed-fed (MF) and 52 were formula-fed (FF). No significant differences were found in head circumference values between the groups at birth (BF 35.2+/-0.1, MF 35.1+/-0.1, FF 35.0+/-0.1 cm for boys and BF 35.0+/-0.1, MF 34.9+/-0.1, FF 34.8+/-0.1 cm for girls). At the end of the first month, the infants in the BF group (38.3+/-0.1 cm and 37.9+/-0.1 cm for boys and girls, respectively) had strikingly greater head circumference measurements than the others (MF 36.7+/-0.1, FF 36.6+/-0.1 cm for boys and MF 36.5+/-0.1, FF 36.4+/-0.1 cm for girls) (P < 0.05). However, in the subsequent 4-month period, the values detected in each group were almost the same. At the sixth month, head circumference-for-age values of infants in MF (42.6+/-0.1 cm for boys, 41.4+/-0.1 cm for girls) and FF (42.5+/-0.1 cm for boys, 41.5+/-0.1 cm for girls) were well below those of BF group (43.7+/-0.1 cm and 42.9+/-0.1 cm for boys and girls, respectively) and the standard curve (P < 0.05). These results suggest that exclusive breast feeding is sufficient during the first 6 months, the most important period of life.