Comparing growth indices between exclusive breastfed infants ≤ 6 months and growth standards of National Center Health Statistics in Iran

Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) has lifelong benefits for both mothers and infants. We aimed to access growth indices in exclusively breast fed infants ≤ 6 months and compare them with growth standards of National Center Health Statistics (NCHS)، to evaluate efficacy of EBF for optimal growth as well. This cross sectional study included 500 healthy exclusively breast fed infants from a private clinic and 4 public health centers from 1995 to 2005 in Mashhad، Iran. Their growth indices were accessed and compared with NCHS growth standards. Mean growth indices of males and females were significantly higher than the same percentile in NCHS standards. The present study revealed efficacy of EBF for optimal growth in the first 6 months of life. By the time native growth charts are on access، using breast fed growth standards designed on breast fed infant indices (World Health Organization-WHO) standards for growth monitoring is significance in Iran which leads to correct evaluation and preserving EBF.