Feeding effects on growth during infancy

Abstract

Background: Feeding habits affect growth in children. Infants have different feeding types in different countries based on social or cultural habits and familial support. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of feeding habits on growth in Jahrom, Iran, and comparison of growth parameters with National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards.
Methods: From April 2001 to December 2002 we observed 597 children in well baby centers in Jahrom. Height and weight of these children were recorded 18 times from one month to two years of age by trained staff at regular intervals. Based on feeding type, the infants were divided into three groups: exclusive breast fed, bottle fed and combination of both.
Findings: There was no significant difference in height and weight of the infants at birth and the end of the first months of life in three study groups, but later, breast fed infants were significantly heavier and taller. There was also significant discrepancy between the anthropometric measures of infants in our present study and NCHS standards.
Conclusion: Based on present study, appropriate growth chart should be provided for infants with different types of feeding and also special charts for our local use.