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IFC Statement on New WHO Child Growth Charts “The International Formula Council* recognizes that reference data, presented as growth charts (or “curves”), have long been used by pediatricians to monitor the growth of an infant, which is generally considered the most important indicator of an infant’s overall health. The new international Child Growth Charts, released this week by the World Health Organization (WHO), are based on data collected from infants predominantly breast-fed for at least four months. “IFC supports the use of growth reference standards for infants and believes the new charts are an important public health contribution that will be useful as an aid to pediatricians. However, IFC notes that since the previous charts were predominantly based on formula-fed infants, parents should discuss the implications of such charts with their pediatrician or other health professional before drawing any conclusions related to their child. It is important to recognize that the charts are simply guidelines -- each baby’s growth and development is unique and should be monitored by a qualified health professional. “Measuring the size of an infant and comparing the values with appropriate reference data permits the assessment of an infant in relation to the size of his or her peers. Such reference data are essential for identifying infants with low or high values for these body measurements at a given age. This reference data, in the form of growth charts, is useful in assessing the nutritional status, physical growth and motor development in children from birth to age five. The new charts propose to go farther than simply providing an improved reference. These new charts are intended to provide a description of how infants and children should grow. The participants in the study were carefully selected to follow currently recommended feeding practices such as predominantly breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, and introduction of high quality complementary foods. Also, participants were drawn from environments that had low infant mortality, high parental education and economic status, and mothers who smoke were excluded. Thus, the new charts are not representative of current feeding practices or the environment of many countries, but reflect idealized feeding and environmental conditions. Importantly, the feeding recommendations in some of the countries included use of formula through the first year of life when mothers stopped breastfeeding or as a supplement to breastfeeding. “Growth is generally considered the most important indicator of an infant’s nutritional status and overall health. Growth and nutrition requirements per kilogram of body weight are higher during the first four months of life – the fastest period of human growth. It is during this period that the greatest percentage of nutrients absorbed support growth; therefore, nutritional imbalances are likely to be reflected in altered growth rates. “Breast-fed infants typically show a faster weight gain in the first 6 months of life and a slower rate of weight gain in the second six months; however, they do grow comparably to formula-fed infants overall. Implications Regarding Infant Feeding Choice “The infant formula industry agrees with the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other health care organizations that breastfeeding is best and offers specific child and maternal health benefits. The infant formula industry fully supports positive, accurate promotion of breastfeeding including additional efforts to foster increased breastfeeding rates. “Parents should be aware if the decision is made not to breastfeed for whatever reason, iron-fortified infant formula is the only recommended alternative. Infant formula was used by many participants of the WHO studies, and for non-breast fed infants is the standard of nutrition recognized by AAP and other medical and government bodies. “Discussion of growth charts based on breast-fed infants should not divert attention from the fact that infant formula is the safest and most nutritious alternative to human milk. Millions of infants worldwide have consumed commercially prepared formulas. Parents should receive accurate information about all appropriate infant feeding options to help ensure their child’s optimal nutrition and overall wellbeing, regardless of whether they choose to breastfeed or formula-feed their infant. “The new growth charts are a major accomplishment in providing a reference for idealized infant growth. Some of the work to come at WHO will attempt to relate growth to other variables, such as major developmental milestones. It is important to know that the growth and health of every infant must be assessed by their health care provider, taking into account each individual’s particular circumstances. WHO’s growth curves represent a new tool to help health care providers monitor growth of infants and young children.”# # # *IFC is an international association of manufacturers and marketers of formulated nutrition products (e.g., infant formulas and adult nutritionals) whose members are predominantly based in North America. IFC members include all major U.S. manufacturers: Mead Johnson Nutritionals; Nestle USA, Inc., Nutrition Division; Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories; Solus Products; and Wyeth Nutrition. |