A five-year study of infant growth in rural Jamaica

ABSTRACT

Growth patterns observed in a cohort of 229 children followed from birth to 5 years of age, are described cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The children were probably representative of those in other parts of rural Jamaica and the results, though not showing ideal growth, could be used as reference standards for similar communities. About half the children failed to make any net any net weight gain during at least one 6-month period, and 13 (6 percent) had no net weight gain for a whole year or more. The limited usefulness of good or poor weight increments as guides to long-term progress is discussed (Summary)