Biomedical subjects

L A Persson

Publications and source records attributed to L A Persson.

75 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Infant feeding and growth--a longitudinal study in three Swedish communities.

In a prospective longitudinal study of 312 Swedish infants physical growth was analysed in relation to breast feeding, artificial feeding and some other possible determinants of growth. Weight and length at eight ages, from birth to 19.5 months as well as weight and length velocities for the corresponding intervals are reported. Almost all infants were breastfed during the first month of life and 50% were still breastfed at six months of age. The attained weights and lengths of these infants were generally above the national or international standards in early infancy and around the standard from six months of age. In a regression analysis the weight and length velocities are analysed in relation to feeding habits, birth weight, birth length and some other factors. Entirely breast-fed infants were shown to have a higher weight and length velocity than mixed- or formula-fed infants during the first three months of life. The artificially fed infants showed a catch-up in growth during the next three months and there was no difference in attained weight or length from six months of age due to previous feeding habits. The higher initial weight and length velocities of breast-fed infants were not caused by any catch-up due to unfavourable intra-uterine factors. Entirely breast-fed infants were heavier at birth; a difference which could be explained by differences in smoking habits during pregnancy. The consequences for the interpretation of individual growth patterns in early infancy and the need of an appropriate growth standard for the first six months of life are discussed.

Anthropometry↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stories of pre-war, war and exile: Bosnian refugee children in Sweden.

While standardized questionnaires produce counts of isolated events, a semi-structured interview derives a story, a complex narrative in time and place. Ninety Bosnian refugee children and adolescents (ages 1-20), resettled in Sweden, were assessed in a semi-structured clinical interview designed to identify and offer support to children at risk. A family-child account of traumatic exposure was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Type-stories or clusters of experience were identified for three distinct periods: prior to war, during war, and after war in exile. The extent of trauma-stress exposure during each of these periods proved unrelated. Pre-war experience presented as preponderantly good and safe. Differences in child exposure during war and exile could be understood in relation to identifiable socio-demographic factors; particularly ethnic background, social class, child age and family size. Further, the stories derived cast light on the equity of Swedish refugee reception, exposing both egalitarian and discriminatory tendencies.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Breast feeding and the dietary habits of children in rural Somalia.

Breast feeding and dietary habits were studied prospectively in a cohort of children under the age of five years in a rural Somali community. The median duration of breast feeding was 19.5 months. However, all the children also received cow's milk by cup from the first day of life and onwards. Energy supplements (mainly sugar and oil) as well as additional water were given daily from early infancy. Staples, protein-rich foods (beans and meat), vegetables and fruits were usually introduced when the children reached the age of 12-18 months. There was a seasonal variation with the lowest intake of protein-rich and vitamin-rich foods during the rains in May to June. Thus, there was a complete absence of exclusive breast feeding. Energy-reinforced cow's milk and human milk dominated the diet up to the age of one year. Staples were mixed with oil and supplemented with milk, thereby leading to a much higher energy density in the complementary food than is usually the case in African communities.

Breast Feeding↗