Growth of Guyanese infants of African and East Indian racial origins, with some observations on mortality

Ethnic differences in growth potential of children of African, Indian, Chinese and European origin

Community surveys of infants and children of African, Indian, Chinese and European origin in Guyana and Jamaica have been reviewed in order to compare the influence of ethnic origin and environment, including nutrition, on anthropometric measurements used to assess nutritional status. Mean heights and weights of African and European were greater than those of Indian and Chinese children. African had greater weight for height and greater arm circumferences but smaller triceps skinfolds than Indian children. These differences, which cannot be explained by nutritional or other environmental causes, show that ethnic origins cannot be disregarded when assessing nutritional status by anthropometric measurements. Specific adjustments to international standards of height and weight are proposed in order to make them more appropriate for Indian and Chinese children.

A longitudinal study of child growth in a rural community in Jamaica

A longitudinal study of the growth of a cohort of 229 infants born in a rural area in Jamaica and followed to their 4th birthdays is described, and this paper reports analyses of the anthropometric measurements.

Moderate impairment of growth affected the majority of children and was most marked between the ages of 3 and 15 months. Severe impairment occurred in boys more often than girls and in this comm unity was rarely attributable to disease.

The concept of weight faltering has been investigated in some detail; failure to gain weight for a period of 6 months occurred in almost half the children but was not, by itself, a useful prognostic index of malnutrition; it occurred commonly in children of above average weight whose subsequent growth was normal.

The provision of intensive care at specially appointed child welfare clinics did not completely prevent the development of serious malnutrition.