COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF GROWTH OF CHINESE INFANTS - HONG-KONG VERSUS GUANGZHOU

The growth of 174 infants from Hong Kong and 221 infants from Guangzho u from birth to 2 years were compared. Ethnic origins, parental sire, and birth weights were similar. Common illnesses in the two groups wer e upper respiratory tract infection and diarrhoea. The early infant fe eding practices were different, with more breastfeeding and earlier in troduction of solids in Guangzhou. Compared to those of Hong Kong, Gua ngzhou babies had lower weight for length in the first year of life. W ithin the Guangzhou group, babies totally breastfed for the first 2-4 months were heavier than those given rice cereals as supplement and th ey had less diarrhoea in the first 6 months. Hong Kong infants suffere d more diarrhoea than the Guangzhou group. It was concluded that breas tfeeding should be promoted and supported in these two cities.