Factors influencing the growth and nutritional status of infants and young children in a Nigerian village

Two groups (A and B), each of 52 children, were selected from a study population of 405 children. Group A were the children whose weights fell below the 10th percentile at 6, 9 or 12 months of age. Group B were considered to be of satisfactory weight and were always above the 50th percentile at these ages. The children in the two groups were found to retain their relative weight position during the succeeding 4 years. A similar poor or satisfactory weight gain was also found in their younger siblings. The records of the children in these two groups and their families were examined for anthropometric, social, economic and medical factors to try and discover methods of predicting which children were liable to be underweight. Factors were examined under 17 headings. 9 of these were considered to be useful and if they are verified by other studies may be used by those caring for small children in developing countries as ‘Indications for special care.’