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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access published online on April 16, 2009
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, doi:10.1093/tropej/fmp022
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© The Author [2009]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

A Cross-sectional Study of the Growth Characteristics of Nigerian Infants from Birth to 2 Years of Age

D. J. VanderJagta, L. Waymirea, M. O. Obadofinb, N. Marjona and R. H. Glewa

aDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
bDepartment of Family Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Correspondence: Robert H. Glew, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MSC08 46701, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. Tel.: +1 505 272 2362; Fax: +1 506 272 6587; E-mail <rglew{at}salud.unm.edu>.


  Abstract

Malnutrition compromises the growth of children in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, the prevalence of childhood malnutrition approaches 40%. There are few reports relating the growth characteristics of breast-fed Nigerian infants to the anthropometric properties of their mothers. A total of 100 urban and rural mother/baby pairs were recruited. The mean BMI values of the urban and rural mothers were 24.2 and 21.3 kg m–2, respectively. The mean length, weight and head circumference of the rural infants were significantly lower than those of the urban infants. Z-scores based on World Health Organization standards showed: (i) length-for-age z-score <–2 in urban (27%) and rural (33%) children; (ii) a higher incidence of underweight and small HC in rural (33%; and 13%) versus urban children (12% and 0%); and (iii) positive correlations between all three z-scores and maternal BMI. Negative correlations were observed between infant age and z-scores for length-for-age, weight-for-age and HC-for-age.

Key Words: infants • growth • malnutrition • Fulani • Nigeria • lactating women • head circumference


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