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Relationship of Exclusive Breast Feeding for 6 mo to Linear Growth up to 18 mo of Age

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Abstract

Objective

To assess if linear growth in infant is optimal, with exclusive breast feeding for 6 mo as advised by the WHO.

Methods

This prospective follow up study included 71 full term babies of middle socio economic group healthy mothers. The mothers were instructed to breast feed the babies who were followed up to 18 mo of age for assessment of linear growth. The study was conducted in Metro General Hospital, Noida, U.P. Fifty six babies weighed ≥2.5 kg, and 15 babies weighed <2.5 kg at birth. The main outcome measure was linear growth in exclusively breast fed infants.

Results

At 18 mo, infants ≥2.5 kg on exclusive breast feeding for <6 mo and receiving semisolids early gained more length by 3.4 cm than those receiving breast feeding for ≥6 mo, and infant <2.5 kg gained more weight by 1.2 kg.

Conclusion

For infants ≥2.5 kg of middle socioeconomic group, exclusive breast feed for 6 mo seems sufficient for optimal growth as compared to standard and reference growth data.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the parents for consenting and participating in the study. Thanks are also due to the Metro Hospitals administration for the kind permission to do the study.

Contributions

KNA, DKA: Designed the study, anthropometry and writing the manuscript; AG: Anthropometry and data collection and AKB & DKA: Statistical analysis.

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Correspondence to Kailash Nath Agarwal.

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Agarwal, K.N., Agarwal, D.K., Gupta, A. et al. Relationship of Exclusive Breast Feeding for 6 mo to Linear Growth up to 18 mo of Age. Indian J Pediatr 80, 11–15 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-012-0801-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-012-0801-1

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