Objective: To study the growth pattern in the first year in children fed according to recommendations of IAP Policy on Infant Feeding.
Design: Longitudinal.
Setting: Department of Pediatrics, S.C.B. Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, Orissa.
Subjects and methods: 114 infants (68 boys and 46 girls) with birth weight greater than or equal to 2500g from upper and middle S-E status were regularly followed up from birth to 12 mo of age and fed according to recommendations of IAP Policy on Infant Feeding. Mean and standard deviations of weight for age (W/A) and length for age (L/A) and mean Z scores for W/A, L/A and W/L (weight for length) were calculated separately for boys and girls with reference to NCHS-WHO and BFDS data.
Observations: Mean Z scores for W/A with reference to NCHS-WHO data showed a positive trend from birth upto the age of 3 to 4 months, subsequently declining upto one year. The Z scores for L/A showed only a minimal downward trend. The W/L Z score remained above the baseline value up to 3 months in boys and 7 months in girls. When BFDS was taken as the reference, W/A Z scores showed consistent positive increments, from birth in girls and 1 mo in boys. L/A Z scores increased from 3 months in boys and 11 months in girls. Using NCHS data as the reference, the percentage of infants below -2SD for weight was 0 to 7% during first 6 months and 14% at 12 months. Ten% were below -2SD for length at 12 months. With BFDS as the reference, the percentage of infants below -2SD for weight was 25% at birth, 5% at 6 months and 12% at 1 yr. For length, it was 12% at birth and 8% at 1 year. The increments in weight and length closely followed BFDS upto 12 mo age.
Conclusion: The IAP Policy on Infant Feeding results in adequate growth of non low birth weight infants in the first year of life.