DEVELOPMENTAL AND FOOD PROFILES OF INFANTS BORN TO ADOLESCENT AND ADULT MOTHERS

Objective: To compare developmental markers and dietary intake of infa nts born to lower socioeconomic adolescent and adult mothers. Design: Sixty-one adolescent (age 14-18 years) and 60 adult (age 22-28 years) mothers met inclusion criteria of comparable socioeconomic status, age range, urban/rural residence, and distribution of infants by gender. Sample/setting: Adolescent subjects were recruited in last trimester a nd adult mothers postpartum. Interviews were conducted when infants we re about 6 and 12 months of age. Data included age of occurrence for e ight markers, age at adding complementary foods, two 24-h dietary reca lls, and two measurements of growth. Results: Adolescent mothers repor ted a significantly earlier age at which the infant ''holds a spoon by self'' and ''drinks alone from a trainer cup.'' Six other markers wer e not significantly different between groups. Adolescent mothers fed c ereal significantly earlier than did adult mothers, but there were no significant differences for fruit, vegetables, and meat. At 12 months, infants of adolescents had intakes of vitamin D and iron which were < 100% of recommended allowances, as did infants of adult mothers for v itamin D, iron, and zinc. Dietary fat was significantly higher at 6 an d 12 months and vitamin C was lower at 12 months for infants of adoles cents compared to the adult group. Conclusions: Compared to adult moth ers, adolescent mothers reported earlier mean ages for developmental m arkers related to self-feeding, and introduced cereal earlier. In each group, selected nutrient intakes decreased from recommended amounts i n the 6-12-month period. Fat intakes were significantly different betw een groups at 6 and 12 months. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 19 97.