Exterogestate growth: Relationship with maternal body size and dietary intakes

Abstract

Ninety five lactating women, 18 to 35 yr old were subjected to anthropometric measurements (weight, height and weight for height ratio index) and dietary surveys during first 3 months of lactational period. The exterogestate growth was assessed by recording weight, crown heel length and head circumference of offsprings at birth and at the age of 3 months to find out the daily gains in these anthropometric parameters. The daily increments of various growth parameters of exclusively breast fed infants increased with increasing maternal dietary intakes. The maternal weight for height ratio index (WHRI) was found to have no significant influence on the exterogestate growth of offsprings. The offsprings of small sized monthers (WHRI<0.1772) with poor dietary intakes were born small and their daily increments did not show any catch up growth. © 1983 Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.