THE GULF-WAR, CHILD NUTRITION AND FEEDING PRACTICES IN IRAQ

We conducted a cross-sectional study, which included 420 children to i nvestigate the association between feeding practices and growth of chi ldren 0-18 months of age, who were attending maternal and child health clinics (MCHCs) in Basrah city, Iraq, 6 months after the Gulf War in 1991. Children who were bottle-fed, had lower mean Z-scores for all an thropometric indices compared to children who were breast-fed. Similar results were observed for mixed bottle and breast feeding compared wi th breast feeding for weight-for-height and weight-for-age indices. Th e beneficial effect of breast feeding for all growth indices was not l imited to the youngest age group, but was observed across all age cate gories. This association was modified by socio-economic status. Based on this study, breast feeding should be promoted for children up to 18 months of age and older, given its potential for averting child malnu trition and mortality. Breast feeding promotion should be coupled with nutrition supplementation for both pregnant and lactating women at ri sk. Nutrition supplementation should also be provided to infants 4-6 m onths of age and older to ensure adequate caloric intake. Given the cu rrent economic situation in Iraq, adequate resources need to be ensure d by the international community in order to sustain these public heal th efforts. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.