Early growth of term SFD infants in relation to caloric intake

Growth and development of 100 term SFD infants divided into 3 groups with body weight of 1·5 kg or less (I), 1·51-1·75 kg (II), 1·76-2·25 kg (III) and 100 AFD term infants was determined longitudinally. Group I and II infants remained smaller and had delayed milestones of development throughout the 1st year of life, with limited catch up only in body weight in the first 3 months. Their milk intake was low (132 ml/kg). Group III infants, who had comparatively better growth parameters at birth, showed effective catch up growth in all the parameters to reach the level of those of AFD infants within 3-10 months by increased consumption of milk (186 ml/kg). Their milestones of development were at par with that of AFD infants who consumed 160 ml of milk/kg/day in the first 2-4 months. The low consumption of milk by group I and II infants with severe intrauterine malnutrition is possibly related to the reduced appetite geared to a small body size.