Infant growth in a rural Tswana community.
The growth of 205 rural Black infants was monitored from 6 to 27 months of age. Although the babies were short at birth, their mean birth weight was comparable to National Center for Health Statistics ( NCHS ) standards. However, their weight, maintained during the first 7 months, thereafter faltered . Stature remained below the 50th percentile and mean head circumference followed the standard curve. Growth faltering was found in this indigent population. The prevalence of stunting fell rapidly during the first 7 months, but rose again. Few babies showed wasting during the 1st year, but the proportion rose during the 2nd year. More babies were below the standard weight for age during the 2nd year than during the 1st year. Mothers, although short by Western standards, had adequate energy intakes. Most gave birth to babies short in stature but of 'normal' weight and head circumference. A few mothers were malnourished but a far greater proportion were obese. A greater number of mothers who showed wasting gave birth to normal-weight than underweight babies.
D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D044383:Black People; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002508:Cephalometry; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012015:Reference Standards; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa; D013223:Statistics as Topic