Feeding practices and growth patterns of moderately low birthweight infants in resource-limited settings: results from a multisite, longitudinal observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe the feeding profile of low birthweight (LBW) infants in the first half of infancy; and to examine growth patterns and early risk factors of poor 6-month growth outcomes.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting and participants

Stable, moderately LBW (1.50 to <2.50 kg) infants were enrolled at birth from 12 secondary/tertiary facilities in India, Malawi and Tanzania and visited nine times over 6 months.

Variables of interest

Key variables of interest included birth weight, LBW type (combination of preterm/term status and size-for-gestational age at birth), lactation practices and support, feeding profile, birthweight regain by 2 weeks of age and poor 6-month growth outcomes.

Results

Between 13 September 2019 and 27 Ja

SUBMITTER: Vesel L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9933750 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature