By: Sharon Worcester, Florida Bureau
[Pediatric News 32(1): 1, 1998. © 1998 International Medical News Group.]

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NEW ORLEANS -- The World Health Organization is revising pediatric growth charts to better reflect the growth of breast-fed babies.

The revisions may take 5 years. In the meantime pediatricians should be aware that breastfed babies tend to gain 600-650 g less in their first year than formula-fed babies, with the most marked differences seen between ages 3 and 9 months, Kathryn C. Dewey, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pediatricians who are unaware of the differences tend to assume that breastfed babies lagging behind the growth charts are inadequately nourished. As a result, too many mothers are advised to begin supplementing earlier than necessary, she said.

Existing growth charts for children aged 2-18 years were based on a nationally representative sample, but charts for those up to age 2 were based on a study since shown to have several limitations, said Dr. Dewey, associate director of the Program in International Nutrition and professor of nutrition at the University of California, Davis.

The sample was too homogeneous, growth measurements were made infrequently, and most babies were bottle-fed, she said.

Several studies have been conducted in the past several years to evaluate differences in growth patterns. One study that Dr. Dewey worked on--the Davis Area Research on Lactation, Infant Nutrition, and Growth study--found that breastfed babies generally weighed less in their first year because they voluntarily took in less milk than did formula-fed babies.

The breastfed babies met developmental milestones at similar ages to bottle-fed babies, they were just as active, and they were healthier. Bottle-fed babies had twice the incidence of diarrhea and 20% more cases of otitis media.

Most other studies found similar results, and this year WHO acted on its own 1994 report recommending that existing growth charts be revised. A multicountry study is underway, and in keeping with guidelines for infant care, the new chart will be based on babies breastfed for their first year, Dr. Dewey said.

A copy of the "Evaluation of Infant Growth" report from the WHO working group that recommended the revisions can be obtained by writing to the Nutrition Unit, WHO, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.