Infant feeding and growth: a study on Turkish infants from birth to 6 months.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the impact of various feeding patterns on the physical growth and mental development of infants, particularly during the first 6 months of life, and to compare growth patterns of Turkish infants with those of infants living in various countries.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-two healthy newborn infants were included in the study and were divided into three feeding groups: (i) 62 infants were exclusively breast-fed (BF); (ii) 58 infants were mixed-fed (MF) with both breast milk and formula; and (iii) 52 infants were formula-fed (FF). Infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months of age. Anthropometry was repeated on each occasion. The weight and length of the infants was also recorded. Analysis of variance and modified t-test were used for statistical evaluation of the results.


RESULTS
Values in the BF group were the closest to the tabular norms for weight. Infants in the FF group tended towards a lower weight during the first 3 months (P < 0.05). During the second 3 months, weight gain observed in the FF group was significantly higher than that of BF infants. In comparison with MF infants, a significant progressive weight gain was detected in BF infants (P < 0.05). The values obtained for length increments were consistent with those for weight (P < 0.05 for BF vs FF). No significant difference was found between the length increments detected for BF and MF infants from birth to 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that exclusive breast-feeding is the most appropriate feeding pattern for newborn infants in Turkey and is sufficient during the first 6 months, the most important fraction of life.
Donma
M M
MM
Republic of Turkey, Bakirköy State Hospital, Clinics of Pediatrics, Turkey. donmaohm@istanbul.edu.tr
Donma
O
O
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D014421:Turkey