title: Effect of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding on infant growth and morbidity.
abstract: A cohort study was conducted in the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 1997 and February 1998 to compare the growth and morbidity of 100 infants who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 100 who received breast milk and complementary foods between 4-6 months. Infants' feeding pattern, weight and height were assessed and recorded. There were no significant differences in infants' weight and height gain between 4 and 6 months. The rate of diarrhoea between ages 4 and 6 months was significantly lower in exclusively breastfed infants than in complementary food-fed infants (11% versus 27%) and respiratory infections were also lower (23% versus 35%). We conclude that exclusive breastfeeding is superior at least until an infant is 6 months of age.
authors.affiliation: Educational Development Centre, Meshed University of Medical Sciences, Meshad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khadivzadeh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parsai
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data