Abstract
Predictors of growth were examined cross-sectionally in a random sample of 65 infants under 1 year of age in a rural Thai community. Infants were studied for a continuous 48hr period in their own home; variables measured included: nutrient intake from breast milk (b.m.) and supplementary food (s.f.); morbidity (over the previous month); and total bacterial intake from s.f. and water.
Overall age, sex & birthweight accounted for most variance (87%) in attained weight. Total protein intake (g/24hr, summed for b.m. & s.f.) predicted current weight, accounting for a further 1.3% of the variance in weight (p=.02), while total calorie intake (kcal/24hr) showed no association (p=.10). Morbidity did not predict attained weight at any stage of analysis (p=.61), but total bacterial intake was inversely related to weight (p=.01).
These findings differ prior to 6 mos of age when either protein or calories from b.m. predict infant weight (p=.004). After 6 mos total calorie intake no longer predicts weight, and the association with protein is now predominantly due to s.f. intake. This change is related to the observed increase in s.f. at around 6 mos of age, with a concomitant reduction in the number of breast feeds.
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Jackson, D., Woolridge, M., Imong, S. et al. DETERMINANTS OF THE GROWTH OF BREAST-FED INFANTS IN NORTHERN THAILAND. Pediatr Res 22, 231 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00110
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00110