Infant feeding and growth: a study on Turkish infants from birth to 6 months.

Background: To evaluate the impact of various feeding patterns on the physical growth and mental development of infants, particularly during the first 6 months of life, and to compare growth patterns of Turkish infants with those of infants living in various countries.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-two healthy newborn infants were included in the study and were divided into three feeding groups: (i) 62 infants were exclusively breast-fed (BF); (ii) 58 infants were mixed-fed (MF) with both breast milk and formula; and (iii) 52 infants were formula-fed (FF). Infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months of age. Anthropometry was repeated on each occasion. The weight and length of the infants was also recorded. Analysis of variance and modified t-test were used for statistical evaluation of the results.

Results: Values in the BF group were the closest to the tabular norms for weight. Infants in the FF group tended towards a lower weight during the first 3 months (P < 0.05). During the second 3 months, weight gain observed in the FF group was significantly higher than that of BF infants. In comparison with MF infants, a significant progressive weight gain was detected in BF infants (P < 0.05). The values obtained for length increments were consistent with those for weight (P < 0.05 for BF vs FF). No significant difference was found between the length increments detected for BF and MF infants from birth to 6 months.

Conclusions: These results suggest that exclusive breast-feeding is the most appropriate feeding pattern for newborn infants in Turkey and is sufficient during the first 6 months, the most important fraction of life.