Effect of weaning age on nutritional status of breastfed infants in a rural area in Gharbia Governorate

Background: Breast feeding provide protection against gastro-enteritis and respiratory infection in the first year of breast-feeding results in less respiratory infection and lower blood pressure at age 7-8 years. The appropriate age for starting complementary feeding is determined by the nutritional adequacy of exclusive breast-feeding at different ages. The aim of this study is to improve health of infant by studying the effect of weaning age on nutritional status of infants in Tanta district-Gharbia governorate. Methods: This cohort study carried out on 200 infants and their mothers who attend the family health center for routine infant care visits. The mothers were subjected to a designed questionnaire including sociodemographic data as infant sex, age, education and occupation of the mother and the father, number of infants in the family, income and mode of delivery. The infants were subjected to a complete clinical examination for assessment of nutritional status through anthropometric measures and assessment of age of development of setting, standing, and walking during the period of study which was one year. Results: Mean value showed statistically significant difference between three groups regarding sitting age, crawling age, standing age, weight at 4 months of age weight at 6 months of age Regarding walking age Mean value showed statistically significant difference between the two groups, Infants who started weaning at age of 4-6 months show better growth and development and less occurrence of infectious diseases, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, rickets and allergic manifestation than those at age before 4 or after 6 months. Weaning according to recommended nutritional program had better weight, length, head circumference and better hemoglobin concentration. Conclusions: Starting weaning at 4-6 months of age looks better compared to earlier or delayed weaning. This could be attributed to: Higher rates of timely achievement of developmental milestones and better gaining of weight, length and head circumference. Less frequencies of infections and illnesses. Higher average of hemoglobin concentration