Growth patterns in breastfed babies during first six months of life.

The study examined the growth patterns of breast-fed newborns from two populations of Gorakhpur India during January-December 1985: an urban slum population and others delivered at the B.R.D. Medical College. The sample included 52 community-delivered infants and 74 hospital-delivered infants weighing more than 2.5 kg at birth and without any congenital abnormalities or illness. Breast feeding was initiated by the newborns from the slum area after 2-3 days while hospital-delivered infants were nursed immediately after delivery. Anthropometric measurements were taken within 24 hours of a hospital delivery and within a week after birth in slum community areas. Thereafter measurements were taken monthly for 6 months and mothers were reinforced to continue breast feeding. Findings included only 76 infants were followed up for the entire 6 month period: 100% of the 52 community infants (31 boys and 21 girls) and only 32.4% (15 boys and 9 girls) of the hospital-delivered infants. The mean weight of infants was lower than the 50th percentile of the US National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data. Compared to the ICMR standard weight differences for girls were significant only at 0 and 6 months of age while for boys all differences between standards were significant. The mean weight of most infants was above the under-nutrition curve on the ICMR growth charts. Height was between the 25th and 50th percentile of the NCHS data. The ICMR values were comparable. The average head circumference was in the same percentiles as height for all female ages but for boys at 4 5 and 6 months the ranking was in the 10th to 25th percentile. Values were comparable to ICMR values. The gain in head circumference was comparable in 9 male and 13 female infants. Chest circumference was comparable to the only available ICMR values. The head/chest ratios showed normal growth of Indian children. The results confirmed the health advantages for growth in breast fed Indian children.