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HERO ID
2760716
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Effect of early complementary feeding on nutritional status in term infants in rural Nigeria
Author(s)
Davies-Adetugbo, AA; Adetugbo, K
Year
1997
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Nutrition and Health
ISSN:
0260-1060
Volume
12
Issue
1
Page Numbers
25-31
Language
English
PMID
9403879
Abstract
Breastfeeding is common in developing countries, but exclusive breastfeeding is rare, and complementary foods are introduced at an early age. The objective of the present study is to determine the effect of early complementary feeding on the nutritional status of infants. Weight-for-age (WA) indices have been determined for 82 infants 3 to 4 months old participating in a breastfeeding study. They included 42 that started complementary feeding early (before 2 months) and 40 that started later. Weight-for-age indices were significantly lower for the early group than for the later group (t = 3.00, p = 0.004). The prevalence of underweight (WA SD scores below -2.0) was 7.5% in the later complementary feeding group and 28.6% in the early group (chi(2) = 4.76, p = 0.0292). Severe underweight (WA SD scores below -3.0) prevalences were 0% and 14.3% respectively (p = 0.0259). Thus, poorer nutritional status was significantly associated with earlier complementary feeding. The results suggest that exclusive breastfeeding, (together with promotion of weaning education and growth monitoring) should be vigorously promoted in these rural communities.
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