Effects of feeding patterns during the first four months after birth on growth and development of three to seven-year-old children

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of different infants-feeding patterns on preschoolers＇ physical development, intelligence development and bone mineral density （BMD）. Methods A total of 953 preschoolers from seven cities and two rural areas in China were recruited by multiple stage stratified cluster sampling methods from November 2011 to April 2012. Physiology measurement was performed to get their height and weight and to calculate body mass index（BMI）. BMD of distal radius was measured by ultrasound BMD scanner. The intelligence quotient was assessed by Standford-Binet Test of Intelligence（Chinese Version）. The demographic factors and the feeding ways were investigated by an interviewer-administered questionnaire and all subjects were divided into three groups ： exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding group. ANOVA analysis, Chisquare test and nonparametric test were used to analyze the data. Results There were 476, 335 and 142 children in exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding groups, respectively. The exclusive breastfeeding rate in urban areas was significantly lower than that in rural areas [47.2%（343/726） vs 58.6%（133/227）, χ2=9.780, P=0.008]. The height-for-age Z score and weight-for-age Z score were significantly different among children with different feeding ways （χ2=10.728 and 12.175, P=0.005 and 0.002）. The children in the exclusive breast feeding group showed lower height-for-age Z score＆amp;nbsp;and lower weight-for-age Z score comparing with those in the mixed feeding and artificial feeding groups （all P<0.05）. The value of speed of sound of BMD was significantly different among exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding groups [（3 640.2±142.0） vs （3 613.9±141.9） and （3 613.4±143.0） m/s, F=3.946, P=0.020], and that in the exclusive breastfeeding group was higher than in the mixed feeding group （P〈0.05）. No significant difference was found in BMI-for-age Z score, intelligence score and food allergy rate and food intolerance rate among the three groups（all P〉0.05）. Conclusions Feeding patterns during the first several months after birth may affect the weight, height and BMD in preschoolchildren, but not the intelligence development of these children. Key words: Feeding methods; Breast feeding; Bottle feeding; Growth and development; Intelligence; Bone mineral density; Child,preschool