When infants are found to be at the extremes of growth in relation to the reference growth curves, health care providers and parents become concerned.. The major aim of this investigation is to compare feeding histories of infants with the highest and lowest weight-for-length z-scores in the second half of the first year, based on the CDC 2000 growth reference data. Specific feeding history variables include duration of breastfeeding, completeness of breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months, infant age at earliest introduction of solid foods, and the quality of solid foods score. The investigator-designed quality score is based on age appropriate inclusion of nutritious foods, and exclusion of "empty calorie" foods. Age and years of education of mothers of these two groups of infants also will be compared.
Data were collected during the postpartum hospitalization, from hospital records and from the 635 mothers. At 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, mothers provided detailed information about the infant's liquid and solid feedings, and about the infant's length and weight assessments made at well child visits.
Weight-for-length Z-scores for male and female infants have been calculated, relative to the CDC 2000 reference data, for each assessment interval. Mean values for the independent variables will be compared using independent sample t-tests for sub-groups that include the lightest and heaviest babies using several cut-points for weight-for-length z-scores (+/- 2.50, +/- 2.75, +/- 3.00). Variables that differ significantly between the lighter and heavier babies will be further analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Final results will be reported.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe infant feeding patterns associated with first year infant growth at the extremes of the CDC growth curve. 2. Discuss implications of findings for counseling parents about infant feeding.
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Food and Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.