Age at introduction of complementary food and physical growth from 2 to 9 months in rural Senegal.
OBJECTIVE
To compare nutritional status and physical growth among infants according to age at introduction of complementary food (CF).


METHODS
A longitudinal observational study.


METHODS
Three health clinics in a rural area of Senegal.


METHODS
During immunization sessions, 522 infants were recruited at 2-3 months. Complete data on three visits were available for 420 infants (4 visits: n = 361); 73 were lost to follow-up and 29 had incomplete data.


METHODS
Increments in length and weight between adjacent visits.


RESULTS
Infants complemented at 2-3 months (n = 50) had significantly lower length-for-age (P = 0.014), weight-for-length (P < 0.001) and arm circumference (P < 0.0001) at 2-3 months than predominantly breastfed infants (n = 370), after adjustment for residence, mother's age and education of parents. The growth in weight and length from 2-3 to 9-10 months did not differ. The infants complemented by 4-5 months, but not yet at 2-3 months, (n = 94) had a slightly lower length increment from 4-5 to 6-7 months (1.42 vs 1.53 cm/mo, p < 0.05) compared to infants predominantly breastfed at 4-5 months (n = 276). The infants first complemented by 6-7 months (n = 122) had increments from 6-7 to 9-10 months similar to those of predominantly breastfed infants (n = 154).


CONCLUSIONS
Introduction of CF by 2-3 months was associated with a low nutritional status, but not with slow growth from 2-3 to 9-10 months. Introduction of CF by 4-5 months was associated with slightly slower linear growth compared to later introduction.
Simondon
K B
KB
ORSTOM, Institut Français de Recherche Scientifique pour le Développement en Coopération, Montpellier, France.
Simondon
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F
D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D001942:Breast Feeding; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012424:Rural Population; D012675:Senegal; D015430:Weight Gain