Infant growth patterns in the slums of Dhaka in relation to birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and prematurity

Background Relations between size and maturity at birth and infant growth have been studied inadequately in Bangladesh, where the incidence of low birth weight is high and most infants are breast-fed. Objective This study was conducted to describe infant growth patterns and their relations to birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and prematurity. Design A total of 1654 infants born in selected low-socioeconomic areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh, were enrolled at birth. Weight and length were measured at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo of age. Results The infants' mean birth weight was 2516 g, with 46.4% weighing Conclusions Infant growth rates were similar to those observed among breast-fed infants in developed countries. Most study infants experienced chronic…