Breastfeeding in developing countries
1981
Villar, José | Belizan, Jose M.
Protein and calorie needs of intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) infants born to poor mothers in underdeveloped countries were compared to estimated amounts of these nutrients supplied in mother's milk. Results reveal that the milk fails to meet the nutrient requirements of these IUGR infants during their first 3 months. Breast milk provided only 69% of infants' protein needs at birth, declining to 51% by 3 months of age. Although 123% of caloric requirements were met at birth, the figure fell to 55% at 3 months. After 3 months of life, protein requirements decrease with age, so that the protein content of breast milk from malnourished mothers nears required infant nutrition levels. However, milk volumes from these women may be insufficient. Inadequate nutrient intake may explain high infant mortality rates in populations where infants are malnourished at birth. Governments of developing countries must improve socioeconomic factors determining nutritional status of mothers and their infants. (nm)
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