Exclusive Breastfeeding, Gestational Age, and Maternal Nutrition Associated with Infant Weight for Age Status: A Cross-Sectional Study
https://doi.org/10.53770/medica.v8i9.1298
Keywords
Exclusive Breastfeeding Gestational Age Maternal Nutrition Weight for Age Infant GrowthAbstract
Weight-for-age is a key indicator of early growth, and infants whose weight falls below the red line (bawah garis merah, BGM) of the Indonesian growth chart (KMS) need prompt follow-up. This study examined the associations of exclusive breastfeeding, gestational age at delivery, and maternal nutritional status during pregnancy with infant BGM status. This study used a quantitative analytic design with a cross-sectional approach. The population comprised infants registered at Biru Public Health Center, Bone Regency, in March–April 2024, and the sample consisted of 35 mother–infant pairs selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews with mothers using a checklist and questionnaire and verified against Maternal and Child Health (KIA) book records; maternal nutritional status was based on self-reported dietary adequacy. Data were analysed univariately and bivariately with Fisher’s exact test, and associations were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results of the study show that nine infants (25.7%) were BGM and that BGM status was associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding (OR 24.00; 95% CI 3.25–177.41; p = 0.001), preterm birth (OR 87.50; 95% CI 6.88–1,112.37; p < 0.001), and inadequate maternal nutrition (OR 19.25; 95% CI 2.88–128.52; p = 0.001). The very wide intervals reflect the small sample, and the estimates were not adjusted for confounding. These exploratory findings suggest that preterm and non-exclusively breastfed infants, and mothers with inadequate diets during pregnancy, should be prioritised for growth monitoring and nutrition counselling, and they need confirmation in larger studies using multivariable analysis.
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