Feeding Practices, Nutritional Status and Anemia in Young Children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: WHO RECOMMENDS:Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life, exclusive breast feeding on demand for six months, followed by sequential addition of semisolid and solid foods to complement breast milk and breast feeding to be continued for 2 years. Most of the time, these recommendations are not followed, due to false beliefs or cultural factors. This has resulted in malnutrition and increasing health hazards in children. 1 This study is being done to know about the feeding practices, nutritional status, anaemia prevalence in children residing in rural areas of Puducherry. OBJECTIVES: 1. To study feeding practices, nutritional status, prevalence of anemia in children from 1 month to 2 years of age. 2. Influence of feeding practices on nutritional status and hemoglobin levels. METHODS: This is a hospital based prospective study done for a period of 1yr. The study included 200 children from 1 month to 2 years of age. Patients from rural areas of Puducherry nearing Tamil Nadu border and people from adjoining rural areas of Tamil Nadu come to our hospital. A questionnaire is provided to parents/guardians of children asking about feeding practices. Participants weight in kilograms and length in centimeters are measured. Blood samples are drawn from participants for the estimation of hemoglobin levels. Peripheral smear study will be done if hemoglobin level is less than 11 gram/dl. Observations are tabulated. RESULTS: 85% children under study were initiated feed according to guidelines and 15% were not initiated. 54% children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 46% children were not exclusively breast fed. 54% children were given complementary feeds after the age of 6 months. 70% had normal weight for length, 12% were moderately wasted, 18% children were severely wasted, 86% children were anemic and 14% children were not anemic. CONCLUSION: 1. The study shows the effect of feeding practices on the nutritional status and hemoglobin levels in the young children of rural area. 2. Malnutrition and anemia have higher prevalence, there is a need for health education to the mothers, especially antenatal mothers.