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Early and more variable growth velocities improved linear growth in Peruvian infants
Author(s) -
Iannotti Lora,
Zavaleta Nelly,
Leon Zulema,
Huasaquiche Clara,
Caulfield Laura
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.653.8
Subject(s) - anthropometry , growth velocity , bayesian multivariate linear regression , weight gain , multivariate statistics , linear regression , demography , mathematics , linear growth , body weight , statistics , medicine , sociology
This study aimed to investigate: growth velocity patterns in Peruvian infants; determinants of velocities during critical periods; and anthropometric outcomes at 12 mo predicted by velocities. From 1995–1997, an RCT of maternal zinc supplementation was conducted in a periurban slum area of Lima. 579 infants were followed monthly through 12 mo on a range of anthropometric measures. We examined 3 types of velocity variables: incremental velocity (1 mo, 2 mo, and 6 mo); 2) proportional changes (% of total size gained/mo); and 3) individual velocity variability (SD of child incremental velocities). Mean within‐child SD of weight velocity was 0.42 kg (±0.12). Growth velocities in month 1 and variable weight velocity positively predicted attained height and weight by 12 mo in multivariate regression analyses. Panel regression by generalized least‐squared of height and weight velocities confirmed the exponentially decelerating pace of growth through infancy and the importance of birth size in driving this trajectory. Arm fat area was a significant determinant of length gain in the same month. Boys grew more rapidly than girls in the first half of infancy, but not in proportion to the total incremental gain. This study contributes evidence to support the importance of early growth velocities and greater degrees of weight gain plasticity for attained height and weight. The study was funded by USAID and NIH.