WW Fawzi
A longitudinal study of prolonged breastfeeding in relation to child undernutrition
Harvard University
number studies prolonged breastfeeding associated higher risk undernutrition although studies limited crosssectional design allow examination temporal relationships full weaning undernutritionthe relationship prolonged breastfeeding child growth examined prospectively among children 36 months old participated large cohort study baseline three 6monthly followup visits breastfeeding status assessed subjects weighed measuredundernourished children likely breastfed longer period time compared normal children found small difference breastfed fully weaned children gain height following 6month period however breastfed children likely gain significantly less weight particularly among children aged 612 months similar findings noted associations examined among children normally nourished time breastfeeding assessment inverse association breastfeeding status weight gain significantly larger among children poor illiterate mothers compared children relatively affluent literate mothers respectivelyour findings suggest inverse association causal may explained poorer complementary feeding among breastfed compared weaned children children poorer households whose parents illiterate likely less adequate complementary feeding importance adequate complementary feeding second half infancy needs stressed nutrition education programmesthe relationship prolonged breast feeding growth investigated prospective study 28753 sudanese children 36 months age enrolled broader cohort study child health nutrition 81 children breastfed 12 months prevalence declined 62 18 months 27 24 months stunted wasted children likely breastfed longer period time wellnourished counterparts small difference breastfed fully weaned children 6month height gains however breastfed children gained significantly less weight especially 612month age group inverse association breast feeding status weight gain significantly larger among children poor illiterate mothers literate affluent mothers postulated inverse association result poorer complementary feeding among breastfed compared weaned children especially lowincome households findings suggest need nutrition education programs emphasize need adequate complementary feeding second half infancy