Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?

Aim: The aim is to review the implications of the introduction of new World Health Organisation (WHO) growth reference into Australia, and in particular its potential effects on breastfeeding rates in the first six months of life. Methods: A review of the velocity and trajectory of growth in the n...

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Main Authors: Binns, Colin, Lee, Mi
Format: Journal Article
Published: Blackwell Scientific Publications 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39625
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author Binns, Colin
Lee, Mi
author_facet Binns, Colin
Lee, Mi
author_sort Binns, Colin
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Aim: The aim is to review the implications of the introduction of new World Health Organisation (WHO) growth reference into Australia, and in particular its potential effects on breastfeeding rates in the first six months of life. Methods: A review of the velocity and trajectory of growth in the new WHO Growth Reference compared to the growth references most commonly used in Australia. Results: The World Health Organisation has recommended the universal use of its new growth reference. However, in the first 6 months of life, the critical period for the maintenance of breastfeeding, the new WHO reference is heavier than the reference previously used in Australia. This may mean that more infants will be classified as having poor growth. It is likely that these infants will be given additional feeds or even may cease being breastfed. Maintenance of breastfeeding is important for minimising short-, medium- and long-term risks. Conclusions: Before the introduction of a new growth reference is contemplated, a randomised controlled trial should be conducted to be sure that there will be no adverse effect on breastfeeding.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-396252018-03-29T09:07:45Z Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first? Binns, Colin Lee, Mi randomised controlled trial growth reference breastfeeding Aim: The aim is to review the implications of the introduction of new World Health Organisation (WHO) growth reference into Australia, and in particular its potential effects on breastfeeding rates in the first six months of life. Methods: A review of the velocity and trajectory of growth in the new WHO Growth Reference compared to the growth references most commonly used in Australia. Results: The World Health Organisation has recommended the universal use of its new growth reference. However, in the first 6 months of life, the critical period for the maintenance of breastfeeding, the new WHO reference is heavier than the reference previously used in Australia. This may mean that more infants will be classified as having poor growth. It is likely that these infants will be given additional feeds or even may cease being breastfed. Maintenance of breastfeeding is important for minimising short-, medium- and long-term risks. Conclusions: Before the introduction of a new growth reference is contemplated, a randomised controlled trial should be conducted to be sure that there will be no adverse effect on breastfeeding. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39625 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02239.x Blackwell Scientific Publications restricted
spellingShingle randomised controlled trial
growth reference
breastfeeding
Binns, Colin
Lee, Mi
Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
title Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
title_full Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
title_fullStr Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
title_full_unstemmed Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
title_short Will introducing the new World Health Organization growth reference to Australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
title_sort will introducing the new world health organization growth reference to australia reduce breastfeeding rates: why not a randomised controlled trial first?
topic randomised controlled trial
growth reference
breastfeeding
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39625