An intervention study to monitor weight gain in infants using a home based complementary food recipe and a hand blender.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a home made energy dense weaning food, containing 110-130 kcal (26-30kJ) per 100 ml on prevention of growth faltering during infancy.


METHODS
Infants attending four child health welfare clinics in the Medical Officer of Health (Ragama) area were recruited at the age of 4 months. The intervention group received a specially designed hand blender, recipe and advice to prepare a weaning food. The control group received weaning foods without any intervention. They were followed up monthly up to the age of 12 months.


RESULTS
152 infants completed the study (83 from intervention group). The infants in the intervention group gained significantly more weight than the control group (intervention group 2.43 +/- 0.72 kg, control group 2.02 +/-0.62 kg, p = 0.0002). Both groups showed a drop in the Z score for mean weight for age during the study period but this was less marked in the intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
A high energy density home made complementary food was effective in improving the weight gain of infants during the weaning period.
De Silva
D G Harendra
DG
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Rajindrajith
Shaman
S
Pathmeswaran
A
A
Karunasekera
Wasantha
W
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D013188:Sri Lanka; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain