Postpartum Depression,Infant Feeding Practices,and Infant Weight Gain at Six Months of Age

IntroductionThis study examined postpartum depression (PPD) as a potential risk factor for non-adherence to infant feeding guidelines and subsequent infant weight gain.MethodsParticipants were mother-infant dyads from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (N = 1447). Main study variables were PPD, breastfeeding intensity, addition of cereal to infant formula, and age of introduction to solid foods.ResultsIn logistic models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, mothers with PPD were 1.57 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 2.13) more likely to breastfeed at low intensity and 1.77 times (95% CI: 1.16, 2.68) more likely to add cereal to infant formula. Although PPD was associated with the early introduction to solid foods (odds ratio: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.89), this relationship was not significant after adjusting for potential confounders. A small but significantly greater average weight gain at 6 months was observed among infants of mothers with PPD (10.15 lb, SD = 2.32 vs. 9.85 lb, SD = 2.32).DiscussionScreening for PPD at well-child visits may lead to improved maternal health outcomes and the prevention of early life risk factors for childhood obesity.     

Early introduction of complementary foods/drinks and milk feeding type in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,Infants and Children (WIC)

Infants younger than 4 months are not ready for complementary foods/drinks (any solid or liquid other than breast milk or infant formula). Almost half of US infants participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides nutrition education and support to low-income families. We describe the prevalence of early introduction (<4 months) of complementary foods/drinks and examine the association of milk feeding type (fully breastfed, partially breastfed or fully formula fed) with early introduction of complementary foods/drinks. We used data from 3310 families in the longitudinal WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2. We described the prevalence of early introduction of complementary foods/drinks and modeled the association of milk feeding type at Month 1 with early introduction of complementary foods/drinks using multi-variable logistic regression. Thirty-eight percent of infants were introduced early to complementary foods/drinks (<4 months). In adjusted models, infants who were fully formula fed or partially breastfed at Month 1 were 75% and 57%, respectively, more likely to be introduced early to complementary foods/drinks compared with fully breastfed infants. Almost two in five infants were given complementary foods/drinks early. Formula feeding at Month 1 was associated with higher odds of early introduction of complementary foods/drinks. There are opportunities to support families participating in WIC to prevent early introduction of complementary foods/drinks and promote child health.     

From Breastmilk to Family Food

The feeding habits of 312 Swedish infants have been followed longitudinally from birth to one year of age. The duration of breastfeeding had increased in comparison with the low figures in the beginning of the 1970s. Complementary foods were usually introduced from three months of age. At the age of 6 months all infants received complementary foods such as semi-solids and solids and about 90% were given follow-up formula. Parents belonging to higher socioeconomic strata were more prone to act in accordance with genera) feeding recommendations, e.g. regarding breastfeeding duration, time of introduction of complementary foods and gluten-containing foods and the use of sucrose-rich foods     

Feeding practices of infants through the first year of life in Italy

AIM: To investigate infant feeding practices through the first year of life in Italy, and to identify factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding and early introduction of solid foods. METHODS: Structured phone interviews on feeding practices were conducted with 2450 Italian-speaking mothers randomly selected among women who delivered a healthy-term singleton infant in November 1999 in Italy. Interviews were performed 30 d after delivery and when the infants were aged 3, 6, 9 and 12 mo. Type of breastfeeding was classified according to the WHO criteria. RESULTS: Breastfeeding started in 91.1% of infants. At the age of 6 and 12 mo, respectively, 46.8% and 11.8% of the infants was still breastfed, 68.4% and 27.7% received formula, and 18.3% and 65.2% were given cow's milk. Solids were introduced at the mean age of 4.3 mo (range 1.6-6.5 mo). Introduction of solids occurred before age 3 and 4 mo in 5.6% and 34.2% of infants, respectively. The first solids introduced were fruit (73.1%) and cereals (63.9%). The main factors (negatively) associated with the duration of breastfeeding were pacifier use (p < 0.0001), early introduction of formula (p < 0.0001), lower mother's age (p < 0.01) and early introduction of solids (p = 0.05). Factors (negatively) associated with the introduction of solids foods before the age of 3 mo were mother not having breastfed (p < 0.01), early introduction of formula (p < 0.01), lower infant bodyweight at the age of 1 mo (p = 0.05) and mother smoking (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The duration of breastfeeding in Italy is still inadequate, as well as compliance with international recommendations for timing of introduction of complementary foods. National guidelines, public messages and educational campaigns should be promoted in Italy.     

Patterns of breastfeeding in a UK longitudinal cohort study

Although exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of infant life is recommended in the UK, there is little information on the extent of exclusive breastfeeding. This study has taken the 1996 and 2003 World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of breastfeeding and investigated breastfeeding rates in the first 6 months of life in infants born to mothers enrolled in a longitudinal, representative, population-based cohort study – the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Information about breastfeeding and introduction of solids was available for 11 490 infants at 6 months of age (81% of live births). Exclusive breastfeeding declined steadily from 54.8% in the first month to 31% in the third, and fell to 9.6% in the fourth month mainly due to the introduction of solids to the infants. In the first 2 months, complementary feeding (breastmilk and solid/semi-solid foods with any liquid including non-human milk) was used in combination, and declined from 22% in the first month to 16.8% in the second due to a switch to exclusive commercial infant formula feeding. Replacement feeding (exclusive commercial infant formula or combined with any liquid or solid/semi-solid food but excluding breastmilk) increased steadily from 21.9% in the first month to 67.1% by the seventh. This obscured the change from exclusive commercial infant formula feeding only to commercial infant formula feeding plus solids/semi-solids, a change which started in the third month and was complete by the fifth. Using categories in the 1996 and 2003 WHO definitions, such as complementary feeding and replacement feeding, presented difficulties for an analysis of the extent of breastfeeding in this population.     

Infant and young child feeding in the Peruvian Amazon: the need to promote exclusive breastfeeding and nutrient-dense traditional complementary foods

The study objective was to understand the role of traditional Awajún foods in dietary quality and the potential impacts on growth of Awajún infants and young children 0-23 months of age. Research took place in April and May of 2004, along the Cenepa River in six Awajún communities. Anthropometry estimated nutritional status for 32 infants (0-23 months). Repeat dietary recalls and infant feeding histories were completed with 32 mothers. Adequacy of the complementary foods was compared with World Health Organization guidelines. Anthropometry indicated a high prevalence of stunting (39.4% of infants and young children), with nutritional status declining with age. Half of the Awajún mothers practised exclusive breastfeeding. Dietary recalls and infant food histories suggested that many of the infants were getting adequate nutrition from complementary foods and breastfeeding; however, there was variation in breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices among the mothers. Complementary feeding for young children 12-23 months generally met nutrient recommendations, but mean intakes for iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin A were inadequate in infants 6-11 months. Traditional foods provided 85% of energy and were more nutrient dense than market foods. Appropriate infant and complementary feeding was found among some women; however, given the range of feeding practices and introduction of market foods, health promotion targeting infant and young child feeding is warranted.     

Impact of a strategy to prevent the introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods during the first 6 months of life: a randomized clinical trial with adolescent mothers and grandmothers

Introduction

Although the disadvantages of introducing non-breast milk and the early introduction of complementary foods are known, such practices are common worldwide.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of counseling about breastfeeding and complementary feeding in preventing the introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods in the first 6 months.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial enrolled 323 adolescent mothers and their newborns and 169 maternal grandmothers; 163 mothers and 88 grandmothers received five counseling sessions on breastfeeding while in the hospital and at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, and one session on complementary feeding at 120 days. Data about infant feeding were collected monthly. The impact was evaluated by comparing the Kaplan–Meier survival curves for the time of introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods of the control and intervention groups. Median time of introduction of milk was calculated in the two groups.

Results

The survival curves showed that the intervention postponed the introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods. At 4 months, 41% (95% CI, 32.8–49.2) of the infants in the control group received complementary foods in comparison to 22.8% (95% CI, 15.9–29.7) of the intervention group. Counseling postponed the introduction of non-breast milk, which occurred at 95 days (95% CI, 8.7–111.3) in the control group and at 153 days (95% CI, 114.6–191.4) in the intervention group.

Conclusions

Counseling sessions on infant's first 4 months were an efficacious strategy to prevent the introduction of non-breast milk and complementary foods in the 6 months of life.     

膳食多样化与婴儿微量营养素摄入及其体格生长的相关性

目的 验证简易的膳食多样化分数(DDS)和食物种类多样化分数(FVS)对评估婴儿膳食质量的有效性.方法 选取足月、单胎、12月龄健康婴儿,针对父母及照料者调查婴儿喂养情况.调查当日测量获得婴儿体格牛长数据.按照婴儿1个月内各类食物摄入频度和种类计算DDS;按照婴儿1周内摄入食物种类计算FVS.详细定量记录婴儿连续3 d的膳食,并运用膳食分析软件计算各种营养素摄入量.结果 共236例12月龄婴儿进入分析.婴儿体格牛长良好,平均按年龄身长、按年龄体质量、按身长体质量的Z评分(LAZ、WAZ、WLZ)分别达到0.44±0.88、0.78±0.81、0.79±0.83.婴儿热能、蛋白质及绝大多数微量营养素的营养素适宜比例(NAR),即膳食摄入量与WHO推荐摄入量的比值,均超过100%.DDS、FVS、DDS+FVS高分组婴儿的LAZ、WAZ、WLZ均高于相应的低分组婴儿,但差异均无统计学意义.DDS和FVS分别与多种微屠营养素的NAR(%)呈显著正相关,DDS+FVS则与更多的微量营养素的NAR(%)呈显著正相关.婴儿体格生长指标与多项微量营养素的NAR(%)呈显著正相关.结论 简易的DDS、FVS评分可用于评价婴儿的膳食质量,DDS+FVS可能更有效.增加食物多样性有利于婴儿获得全面平衡的营养,促进其生长.     

Stability of infant and child feeding index over time and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants in Sidama Zone,Southern Ethiopia: A longitudinal study

BackgroundEven though many studies showed that infant and child feeding index has a statistically significant association with nutritional status, there is paucity of studies on stability of infant and child feeding index over time and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants.AimsThis study aimed to investigate the stability of infant and child feeding index over time that is developed based on the current recommendations and its association with nutritional status of HIV exposed infants in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Study designA panel study design was conducted in health institutions in Sidama Zone from February to July, 2012. Three repeated measurements of data were collected from each HIV exposed infant aged 6–17 months over the 6 month follow-up period approximately per 2 month interval.ResultsThe cross-sectional index was found stable overtime with the repeatability coefficient of 0.802 which differed significantly from zero (95% CI: 0.75–0.85). A longitudinal infant and child feeding index (L-ICFI) has a statistically significant association with length for age Z scores (LAZ) and weight for age Z scores (WAZ) at visit three (β = 0.262, p = 0.007; β = 0.226, p = 0.017), respectively. But the longitudinal index has no statistically significant association with WLZ score (p = 0.552). There was no significant difference in change of LAZ and WAZ over time between L-ICFI tertiles for both female and male HIV exposed infants.ConclusionThe index is stable overtime at individual level even though one third of the index components were not stable. The L-CFI was associated with LAZ and WAZ but not with WLZ. However there was no significant difference in change of HAZ and WAZ over time between L-ICFI tertiles for both female and male HIV exposed infants.     

Infant and young child feeding practices and nutritional status in Bhutan

In South Asia, childhood undernutrition persists while overweight is increasing. Internationally recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices promote healthy nutritional status; however, little is known about IYCF in Bhutan, investigated here using 2015 National Nutrition Survey data. WHO/UNICEF IYCF indicators, anthropometry and household socio‐economic status were available for 441 children <24 months. Stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence (2) prevalence was 6%. In survey‐design‐adjusted analyses, 52% of mothers of 0‐ to 5‐month olds reported exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), with EBF less common for girls than boys (OR: 0.2 [95% CI: 0.1–0.9]). Although 61% of children were breastfed at 2 years and 75% of children >6 months met a minimum daily meal frequency, only 18% of children 6–23 months met minimum dietary diversity. IYCF was unassociated with risk of stunting, wasting, or underweight, possibly due to relatively low prevalence of anthropometric failure and small sample size. However, currently‐breastfed children were less often overweight [OR: ~0.1 (95% upper limit ≤1.0)]. Neither breastfeeding nor most complementary feeding practices differed by socio‐economic status, but children in the highest two fifth of a wealth index had 7.8 (1.3–46.9) and 5.3 (1.1–25.2) times greater odds than children in the lowest fifth of meeting minimum dietary diversity criteria. Low rates of EBF, given possible protection of breastfeeding against overweight, and inadequate dietary diversity offer evidence to guide future program interventions to improve nutritional status of young children.     

Feeding habits of children with Down's syndrome living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The aim of the study was to investigate the breastfeeding and introduction of solid foods among children with Down's syndrome. Mothers of 225 children attending three institutes providing education for children with Down's syndrome were asked to complete a questionnaire. Data were collected on knowledge of feeding procedure, pattern of feeding, and introduction of solid food. Although 66.7% of mothers commenced breastfeeding, 30% of them discontinued breastfeeding at 3-6 months of the child's age. Overall, mothers of children with Down's syndrome started weaning between 6 and 9 months of age and the formula most used was Similac 'yellow'. In conclusion it was observed that Saudi mothers with Down's syndrome children frequently breastfed their children and introduced solid food comparatively late.     

Association between breastfeeding and complementary feeding in pre-pandemic and pandemic COVID-19 times: Maternar cohort study

ObjectiveEvaluate the association between breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding at six months and the introduction of complementary feeding during the pre-pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic periods.MethodsCohort study conducted with puerperal women and their newborns in the immediate postpartum period at a reference maternity hospital in Southern Brazil between 2018-2020. The COVID-19 pandemic period and the need to work outside the home during restricted circulation were the factors of exposure. The outcome evaluated was the weaning in the first six months (breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding) and the introduction of complementary feeding before the sixth month of life.Results547 puerperal women and their newborns were included. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a higher risk to weaning of exclusive breastfeeding up until six months (RR 1.16; 95%CI 1.03-1.31) and introducing complementary feeding early (RR 1.40; 95%CI 1.01-1.96). The need to work outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of not breastfeeding exclusively at the sixth month (RR 1.27; 95%CI 1.08-1.49).ConclusionsThe difficulties of the pandemic did reflect negatively on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. The pandemic was a risk factor for the early weaning of exclusive breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary feeding. However, not having to work outside the home during the pandemic period was a protective factor for exclusive breastfeeding at six months.     

Investigating Mechanisms for Maternal Education Disparities in Enacting Health-Promoting Infant Care Practices

BackgroundAlthough higher education and healthier practices are positively associated, the explanatory mechanisms for this association remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to better understand mechanisms underlying this association by examining maternal adherence to 2 health-promoting infant care practices: supine placement and breastfeeding.MethodsWe analyzed nationally representative data from the Study of Attitudes and Factors Effecting Infant Care, which surveyed US mothers after infant birth and 2 months thereafter. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, we used structural equation models to elucidate mediational pathways from maternal education to supine infant placement or any breastfeeding.ResultsData from 3297 mothers demonstrated 77.0% of infants usually were placed supine, and 57.8% received any breastfeeding. The overall direct effect of maternal educational level on supine placement and any breastfeeding was odds ratio (OR) 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.54) and OR 2.82 (95% CI 2.35–3.37), respectively. In pathway analyses, the strongest associations with both supine position and breastfeeding were seen with positive attitudes (supine: aOR 18.96, 95% CI 9.00–39.92; breastfeeding: aOR 3.86, 95% CI 2.19–6.82) and positive social norms (supine: aOR 6.69, 95% CI 4.52–9.89; breastfeeding: aOR 5.17, 95% CI 4.28–6.23). Mothers with more education had higher odds of both positive attitudes and positive norms for the 2 practices.ConclusionsThe associations linking educational attainment with health practices are intricate, with multiple mediating pathways. Attitudes and social norms are powerful forces that mediate the association between maternal educational attainment and both infant supine positioning and breastfeeding, and may be important mediators for other health behaviors.     

Attitudes and practices of family paediatricians in Italy regarding infant feeding

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine attitudes and practices of family paediatricians in Italy towards infant feeding. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 850 paediatricians across Italy, asking about attitudes and practices towards infant feeding with focus on the World Health Organization’s criteria. Results: The response rate was 91.2%. Breastfeeding is recommended for 6–11 months (70.6%) or longer (29.4%). A 95% of paediatricians recommend introducing complementary foods throughout 4–5.9 months. Among paediatricians who give indications about the minimum acceptable diet (61.7%), recommendations agree with WHO in 71.3% and 83.3% of cases for infants aged 6–8 or 9–11 months, respectively. A 95.6% of paediatricians recommend consumption of meat for infants aged 6 months or more, and 98.4% use of formula milk for infants having breastfeeding stopped in the first year of life. Paediatricians reported own experience (73.4%) and reading (54.2%) as main sources of information. A 70% of paediatricians know the WHO/Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices criteria regarding breastfeeding but <5% the complementary feeding indicators. Conclusion: Family paediatricians in Italy have positive disposition towards infant feeding but their knowledge and practices are suboptimal with respect to the WHO criteria, especially regarding complementary feeding.     

Complementary feeding: a commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition

This position paper on complementary feeding summarizes evidence for health effects of complementary foods. It focuses on healthy infants in Europe. After reviewing current knowledge and practices, we have formulated these conclusions: Exclusive or full breast-feeding for about 6 months is a desirable goal. Complementary feeding (ie, solid foods and liquids other than breast milk or infant formula and follow-on formula) should not be introduced before 17 weeks and not later than 26 weeks. There is no convincing scientific evidence that avoidance or delayed introduction of potentially allergenic foods, such as fish and eggs, reduces allergies, either in infants considered at increased risk for the development of allergy or in those not considered to be at increased risk. During the complementary feeding period, >90% of the iron requirements of a breast-fed infant must be met by complementary foods, which should provide sufficient bioavailable iron. Cow's milk is a poor source of iron and should not be used as the main drink before 12 months, although small volumes may be added to complementary foods. It is prudent to avoid both early (<4 months) and late (>or=7 months) introduction of gluten, and to introduce gluten gradually while the infant is still breast-fed, inasmuch as this may reduce the risk of celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and wheat allergy. Infants and young children receiving a vegetarian diet should receive a sufficient amount ( approximately 500 mL) of breast milk or formula and dairy products. Infants and young children should not be fed a vegan diet.     

中国九市不同喂养方式婴儿体格生长水平的横断面调查

目的 调查不同喂养方式婴儿体格生长水平的现状和差异。方法 1~<12月龄婴儿的母乳喂养、辅食添加及体格生长数据来自2015年“第五次中国九市7岁以下儿童体格发育调查”。1~<6月龄婴儿的喂养方式分为纯母乳喂养、部分母乳喂养和人工喂养,~<12月龄的喂养方式分为持续母乳喂养和人工喂养。不同喂养方式婴儿体重、身长及头围生长水平比较采用方差分析或t检验。结果 共纳入1~<12月龄婴儿59 170人。1~<6月龄纯母乳喂养率、部分母乳喂养率和人工喂养率分别为48.6%、37.4%和14.0%,~<12月龄持续母乳喂养率和人工喂养率分别为59.9%和40.1%。1~<6月龄纯母乳喂养婴儿平均体重略高于部分母乳喂养婴儿,差值范围为0.06~0.20 kg;也略高于人工喂养婴儿,差值范围为0.09~0.22 kg。6~<12月龄持续母乳喂养婴儿平均身长低于人工喂养婴儿,差值范围为-0.3~-0.1 cm。不同喂养方式在6~<12月龄体重、1~<6月龄身长及1~<12月龄头围上差异均无统计学意义。不同喂养方式婴儿体重、身长及头围生长模式与WHO儿童生长标准相似,但总体上体重和身长平均生长水平略高于WHO儿童生长标准。结论 不同喂养方式生长模式相似,在生后的前半年纯母乳喂养婴儿的生长水平略高于部分母乳喂养和人工喂养婴儿,在后半年持续母乳喂养婴儿的生长水平略低于人工喂养婴儿。     

Feeding effects on growth during infancy

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of formula, other milks, other liquids, cereals, and other solid foods on growth during infancy. STUDY DESIGN: Observational cohort study nested within a large (n=17,046), cluster-randomized trial. We compared growth [weight-for-age, length-for-age, and weight-for-length z scores (WAZ, LAZ, WLZ) and head circumference (HC)] during the intervals 1 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12 months, using hierarchical multivariate regression to control for size at the beginning of each interval, maternal education, geographic region, and urban versus rural location. RESULTS: Mixed BF and formula/other milk were associated with significantly higher (versus breast milk only) LAZ at 1 to 3 months (+0.038 and +0.047, respectively). In the 3- to 6-month interval, mixed BF and formula/other milk led to significantly higher WAZ (+0.125 and +0.139) and LAZ (+0.081 and +0.075), whereas cereal intake was associated with large and highly significant reductions in both measures (-0.293 and -0.240) and in HC (-0.291 cm). Mixed BF and formula/other milk continued to have positive albeit smaller associations with WAZ and LAZ in the 6- to 9-month and 9- to 12-month intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the growth-accelerating effects of formula and other milks (versus breast milk) on weight and length gain throughout infancy, with a dose-response gradient and largest associations observed at 3 to 6 months.     

Associations of Maternal Consumption of Sugary Beverages in Pregnancy With Infant Weight Status

ObjectivesTo examine associations of maternal consumption of 100% juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in the third trimester of pregnancy with infant weight status at 6 and 12 months.MethodsWe studied 379 mother-infant dyads from Rise & SHINE, a prospective cohort study. Exposures were maternal consumption of 100% juice and SSBs in the third trimester. Outcome measures were infant weight-for-length (WFL) z-scores at 6 and 12 months and rapid infant weight gain (RIWG; change in weight-for-age z-score ≥0.67) from birth to 6 and 12 months.ResultsMean (SD) maternal age was 32.8 (5.1) years; 71.7% reported household income ≥$50,000. In the third trimester, nearly daily or daily consumption of 100% juice and SSBs was 25.9% and 16.6%, respectively. Mean (SD) WFL z-scores at 6 and 12 months were 0.35 (0.96) and 0.50 (0.98). RIWG was present in 30.2% and 36.6% of infants from birth to 6 months and birth to 12 months, respectively. In multivariable models, 100% juice consumption was associated with higher WFL z-score at 6 months (β = 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03, 0.49) and higher odds of RIWG from birth to 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.09; 95%CI: 1.23, 3.56) and birth to 12 months (aOR = 1.85; 95%CI: 1.04, 3.28). 100% juice consumption was not associated with WFL z-score at 12 months and SSB consumption was not associated with any of the outcomes.ConclusionsConsumption of 100% juice, but not SSBs, in the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with infant weight status at 6 months and RIWG.     

Feeding and nutritional characteristics of infants on PMTCT programs

Objectives: To compare feeding and nutritional characteristicsof infants born to mothers on the prevention of mother to childtransmission (PMTCT) programs with infants not in the program. Design: A hospital-based case–control study was used. Setting: The study was conducted in Nsambya hospital, Kampala,Uganda. Subjects: A total of 176 mother/baby pairs were included inthe study with 88 from each group. Infants were aged from 3to 12 months. Results: The percentage of mothers exclusively breastfeedingwas lower in PMTCT mothers (65%) compared to the 98% in non-PMTCTmothers (p < 0.01). The mean duration of breastfeeding was2.5 months among PMTCT mothers compared to 4.1 months in non-PMTCTmothers (p < 0.01). Dietary diversity score (DDS) was higheramong PMTCT babies (4.3) compared to 3.7 among non-PMTCT babies(p < 0.05). The percentage of babies reported ill in the previous monthwas much higher among the PMTCT infants (79%) compared to thenon-PMTCT infants (69%) and the incidence of diarrhoea was almosttwice as high among the PMTCT infants (18.1%) compared to the9.3% in non-PMTCT infants [risk ratio (RR) = 1.94]. In addition,the incidence of respiratory infections was higher among thePMTCT infants (47.7%) compared to 39.5% in the non-PMTCT infants(RR = 1.2). The mean z-scores: [Weight for age z-score (WAZ)][height for age z-score (HAZ)] and [weight for height z-score(WHZ)] were significantly lower (p < 0.01) for PMTCT infants.The incidence of stunting among PMTCT infants (11.8%) was twicethat of the non-PMTCT ones (5.2%) and incidence of underweightwas 8.4% in the PMTCT infants compared to 1.2% in the non-PMTCTones. Conclusions: The feeding patterns of the PMTCT infants weresignificantly different from the non-PMTCT ones both in termsof breastfeeding and DDS. Although DDS was higher among thePMTCT infants it did not translate into better nutritional status.The higher incidence of morbidity combined with the lower incidenceof breastfeeding among the PMTCT infants are some of the contributingfactors to significantly higher levels of malnutrition.     

Regional differences in milk and complementary feeding patterns in infants participating in an international nutritional type 1 diabetes prevention trial

Differences in breastfeeding, other milk feeding and complementary feeding patterns were evaluated in infants at increased genetic risk with and without maternal type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk is an international nutritional primary prevention double‐blinded randomized trial to test whether weaning to extensively hydrolyzed vs. intact cow's milk protein formula will decrease the development of T1D‐associated autoantibodies and T1D. Infant diet was prospectively assessed at two visits and seven telephone interviews between birth and 8 months. Countries were grouped into seven regions: Australia, Canada, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Central Europe I, Central Europe II and the United States. Newborn infants with a first‐degree relative with T1D and increased human leukocyte antigen‐conferred susceptibility to T1D were recruited. A lower proportion of infants born to mothers with than without T1D were breastfed until 6 months of age in all regions (range, 51% to 60% vs. 70% to 80%). Complementary feeding patterns differed more by region than by maternal T1D. In Northern Europe, a higher proportion of infants consumed vegetables and fruits daily compared with other regions. Consumption of meat was more frequent in all European regions, whereas cereal consumption was most frequent in Southern Europe, Canada and the United States. Maternal T1D status was associated with breastfeeding and other milk feeding patterns similarly across regions but was unrelated to the introduction of complementary foods. Infant feeding patterns differed significantly among regions and were largely inconsistent with current recommended guidelines.