Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal, September 2018.

Vol. 11(3), p. 1717-1730

Comparison of Height, Weight and Head Circumference Index

and the Incidence of Infectious and Gastrointestinal Diseases in
Breast-Fed and Formula-Fed Infants at 0 to 1 Year Old in Bu-Ali
Sina Hospital

Fariba Gorohi*, Maryam Shiemorteza and Marjan Mohammad Nori

Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Iran.

*Corresponding author E-mail: faribagorohi197@gmail.com

http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/1541

(Received: 09 April 2018; accepted: 16 May 2018)

This analytic-descriptive study compares the growth curve of breastfed babies

and those babies who receive formula at 0 to 12 months of age. In order to do the study, the
weights of 95% of newborn babies were considered at birth. The data were collected through a
questionnaire whose validity was tested by Cronbach’s alpha method. The data was analyzed
using SPSS software (version 22) and appropriate statistical tests. Data analysis was performed
on the basis of statistical inference and appropriate statistical techniques to confirm or reject
the hypothesis.

Keywords: Growth Curve, Breastfeeding, Bottle-Feeding.

Human growth has various dimensions adverse effect on neuro-cognitive development

and each of these dimensions affects each other. (AbdYazdan et al., 2014). The World Health
Therefore, physical growth affects the mental Organization has recommended that exclusive
growth and vice versa, and if attention is made to breastfeeding for six months and with other
the physical needs of the child in the process of complementary foods by the end of the 2 years is
growth, its effects on the mental growth is obvious. the most appropriate way to feed babies (Roig et
Children are the most vulnerable group in society. al., 2010). Child growth is an important criterion
Therefore, full care is one of the important tasks for public health. Height and weight control is the
of mothers and the society. Infancy is one of the best means of controlling growth and an important
periods that play a critical role in all stages of part of child care. Using height and weight growth
a person’s life. In this period, nutrition plays a curves, one can compare the child’s condition with
decisive role in the child’s physical, emotional the condition of standard population of his/her age
and mental growth. Exceptional period of infancy and as a means to screen disorders. In addition to
is important for rapid growth and high nutritional the above mentioned index, head circumference
needs of the infant. Therefore, inadequate food measurement should also be considered as an
intake or inappropriate selection of food may important measurable index, especially at birth
increase the risk of growth disorder with a potential and early years of life (Kafaee, et al., 2016).

This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons license: Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY).

Published by Oriental Scientific Publishing Company © 2018

1718 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

Child growth indicators are a standard to judge were homogeneous by mother’s job, mother’s age,
the proper growth of children. Measurements of age gap between mother and infant, and exclusive
height, weight and head circumference, and the breastfeeding in both groups. Data were collected
combination of each of them with age or height, through questionnaire and children’s growth curve.
make anthropometric indicators. One of the best Inferential analysis
and easiest indicators of growth and physical In this section, height, weight and head
development is weight. The weight of 95 % of circumference growth are measured in babies
infants is 2.5-4.6 kg and with a mean of 3.4kg. from 0 to 12 months. Then, the growth rates of two
Often, boys are heavier than girls. At 5 months, groups are compared and the results are presented
baby has doubled the birth weight, and at 2 years of in the following tables. In order to investigate
age, he/she has increased fourfold their birth weight infectious and digestive diseases, we compared
and then the weight gain will be reduced to around the incidence of six diseases including diarrhea,
2.5 kg per year. Height or body length is another vomiting, gastroenteritis, OTU, and urinary tract
indicator for measuring growth. The height of the infection in breastmilk fed infant and formula-fed
baby is 45-55 cm at birth with an average length infants. The tables indicate the results.
of 50 cm. It will reach about 1.5 times birth height. Hypothesis testing
It will be 2 times the height of birth at age 4. The The first hypothesis
head circumference is also one of the indicators There is a significant difference between
of growth. The head circumference over the early height growth index of breast-fed and formula-fed
years of life increases rapidly due to faster brain infants at 0 to 1 year old.
growth in these years. At birth, the circumference of The statistical population is divided into
the head is 32.6-37.2 with the mean of 35 cm. In the two groups of breast-fed and formula-fed infants.
first six months after birth, the head circumference In order to accept or reject the first hypothesis, the
increases about 8-10 cm with the mean of 44 cm. independent t test is used.
In the second six months after birth, the head Table 1 to table 5 shows the results of
circumference increases by about 3 centimeters descriptive statistics of independent t-test on
and reaches an average of 47 centimeters (Hatami difference between height growth index of breast-
et al., 2015). Given the proven benefits of fed and formula-fed infants.
breastfeeding, it is one of the most important ways Height growth at 1 months of age
of promoting children’s development in societies. In table 1, if Levene test for equality of
However, mothers discontinue breastfeeding due variances shows that two variances are equal, the
to various factors and use formula to feed their first row of the result is used. But if Levene’s test
child. Formula-feeding instead of breast feeding shows that the variances of two samples are not
has a variety of effects on the baby’s emotional and equal, the second row of the results should be used.
mental development. In this regard, this research In this example, the significance level of Levene
tries to determine the difference between growth test is equal to 0.016 that this amount indicates
indices of infants 0 to one year age and those who that two samples do not have equal variance (if
have fed with breastmilk. the significance level is less than 0.05 then the
variance of two samples are not equal in the level
Methodology of 5% and if this amount is less than 0.01 then the
variance of two samples are not equal in the level
This descriptive study compares of 1%). So the second row is used.
growth indices such as height, weight, and head According to the above table, the
circumference in children at 0- one year old. This significance level is equal to 0.016 and because
study make a comparison between the growth this level is less than 0.05, so there is a significant
curve of infants fed with breastmilk and those difference in the height growth index between
fed with formula. In order to do this study, all breast-fed and formula-fed infants at 3 months
formula-fed infants with no complementary food of age. And the growth rate index is higher in
and breastfed infants were sampled. The samples breast-fed infants. Therefore, the null hypothesis
is accepted.
1719 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

Height growth at 3 months of age difference in the height growth index between
In table 2, if Levene test for equality of babies who received the breast milk and infants
variances shows that two variances are equal with who received powdered milk at 3 months of age.
each other, the first row of the result is used. But if And this index in children who received breast
Levene test shows that the variances of two samples milk has higher growth rate. Therefore, the null
are not equal, the second row of the results should hypothesis is accepted.
be used. In this example, the significance level of Height growth at 6 months of age
Levene’s test is equal to 0.005 that this amount In table 3, if Levene test for equality of
indicates that two samples do not have equal variances shows that two variances are equal, the
variance (if the significance level is less than 0.05 first row of the result is used. But if Levene test
then the variance of two samples are not equal in shows that the variances of two samples are not
the level of 5% and if this amount is less than 0.01 equal, the second row of the results should be used.
then the variance of two samples are not equal in In this example, the significance level of Levene’s
the level of 1%). So the second row is used. test is equal to 0.38 that this number indicates that
According to the above table, the two samples do not have equal variance (if the
significance level is equal to 0.005 and because significance level is less than 0.05 then the variance
this level is less than 0.05, so there is a significant of two samples are not equal in the level of 5% and

Table 1. The result of independent t-test to height growth at 1 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Height growth 16.000 0.016 31.000 4 0.000 2.06667

31.000 2 0.001 2.06667

Table 2. The result of independent t-test to height growth at 3 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Height growth 32.267 0.005 1.889 4 0.132 1.0000

2.810 3.118 0.064 1.0000

Table 3. The result of independent t-test to height growth at 6 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Height growth 9.260 0.038 6.719 4 0.003 0.91667

6.719 2.187 0.017 0.91667

Table 4. The result of independent t-test to height growth at 9 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Height growth 3.200 0.148 2.683 4 0.055 0.2

2.683 2.941 0.076 0.2
 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018) 1720

if this amount is less than 0.01 then the variance of level of Levene’s test is equal to 0.148 that this
two samples are not equal in the level of 1%). So number indicates that two samples do not have
the second row is used. equal variance (if the significance level is less than
less than 0.05, so there is a significant 0.05 then the variance of two samples are equal in
difference in the height growth index between the level of 5% and if this amount is less than 0.01
babies who received the breast milk and infants then the variance of two samples are not equal in
who received powdered milk at 6 months of age. the level of 1%). So the first row is used.
And this index in children who received breast According to the above table, the
milk has higher growth rate. Therefore, the null significance level is equal to 0.148 and because this
hypothesis is accepted. level is more than 0.05, so there is not a significant
Height growth at 9 months of age difference in the height growth index between
In table 4, if Levene test for equality of babies who received the breast milk and infants
variances shows that two variances are equal with who received powdered milk at 9 months of age.
each other, the first row of the result is used. But Height growth at 12 months of age
if Levene test shows that the variances of two In table 5, if Levene’s test for equality of
samples are not equal, the second row of the results variances shows that two variances are equal with
should be used. In this example, the significance each other, the first row of the result is used. But

Table 5. The result of independent t-test to height growth at 12 months of age.

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Height growth 0.000 1.000 0.000 4 1.000 0.000

0.000 4.000 1.000 0.000

Table 6. The result of independent t-test to weight growth at 1 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Weight growth 9.394 0.037 3.145 4 0.035 0.96667

3.145 2.048 0.085 0.96667

Table 7. The result of independent t-test to weight growth at 3 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Mean

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Weight growth 10.667 0.031 2.177 4 0.095 0.4000

3.266 3.000 0.047 0.4000

Table 8. The results of independent t-test for weight gain in 6-months old babies

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Weight gain 0.400 0.561 -0.500 4 0.643 -0.03333

-0.500 3.200 0.649 -0.03333
1721 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

if Levene’s test shows that the variances of two The second hypothesis
samples are not equal, the second row of the results There is a significant difference between
should be used. In this example, the significance the growth rate of weight in breast-fed and formula-
level of Levene’s test is equal to 1.000 that this fed infants at 0 to 1 year old.
number indicates that two samples do not have The statistical population that considered
equal variance (if the significance level is less than in this study was divided into two groups. The one
0.05 then the variance of two samples are equal in group was breast-fed infants and another group
the level of 5% and if this amount is less than 0.01 was formula-fed infants and these two groups
then the variance of two samples are not equal in were tested. Independent t-test is used to accept
the level of 1%). So the first row is used. or reject the hypothesis, that the growth of weight
According to the above table, the is different.
significance level is equal to 1.000 and because this Table 6, table 7, table 8, table 9 and table
level is more than 0.05, so there is not a significant 10 show the results of descriptive statistics of
difference in the height growth index between independent t-test for difference between the rate
babies who received the breast milk and infants of weight growth in breast-fed and formula-fed
who received powdered milk at 12 months of age. groups.

Table 9. The results of independent t-test for weight gain in 9-months old babies

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Weight gain 0.150 0. 724 1.464 3 0.239 0.08333

1.387 1.899 0.306 0.08333

Table 10. The results of independent t-test for weight gain in 12-months old babies

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Weight gain 0.600 0. 495 0.000 3 1.000 0.000

0.000 1.684 1.000 0.000

Table 11. The results of independent t-test for head circumference growth in one-month-old babies

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

head 18.150 0. 024 8.024 3 0.004 1.65000

circumference 6.431 1.108 0.082 1.65000
growth

Table 12. The results of independent t-test for head circumference growth in 3-months old babies

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

head 7.585 0. 041 1.866 3 0.159 0.86667

circumference 2.393 2.077 0.134 0.86667
growth
 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018) 1722

Weight gain at 1 months of age According to the above table, the

In table 6, if Levene test for equality of significance level is equal to 0.037 and because
variances shows that two variances are equal, the this level is less than 0.05, so there is a significant
first row of the result is used. But if Levene test difference between the weight growth index of
shows that the variances of two samples are not breast-fed and formula-fed infants at 1 months of
equal, the second row of the results should be used. age. And this index in children who received breast
In this example, the significance level of Levene milk has higher growth rate. Therefore, the null
test is equal to 0.037 that this amount indicates hypothesis is accepted.
that two samples do not have equal variance (if the Weight gain at 3 months of age
significance level is less than 0.05 then the variance In table 7, if Levene test for equality of
of two samples are equal in the level of 5% and if variances shows that two variances are equal, the
this amount is less than 0.01 then the variance of first row of the result is used. If Levene test shows
two samples are not equal in the level of 1%). So that the variances of two samples are not equal, the
the second row is used. second row of the results should be used. In this

Table 13. The results of independent t-test for head circumference growth in 6-months old babies

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

head 0.15 0. 027 9.076 3 0.003 0.51667

circumference 8.598 2.077 0.015 0.51667
growth

Table 14. Independent T-test results for head circumference at 9 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Growth of 0.600 0.495 0.949 3 0.413 0.10000

head 0.866 1.684 0.492 0.10000
circumference

Table 15. Independent T-test results for head circumference at 12 months of age

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Growth of 0.000 1000 0.000 4 1000 0. 000

head 0.000 1.714 1.000 0. 000
circumference

Table 16. Descriptive statistical results for independent t- test for the
intragroup difference between the breastfeeding and the formula feeding

Feeding Number Average Standard Average of the

deviation standard error

Intragroup Breastfeeding 30 1.4 0.49827 0.09097

difference
Formula Feeding 30 1.9 0.30513 0.05571
1723 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

example, the significance level of Levene’s test breast-fed infants. Therefore, the null hypothesis
is equal to 0.031 that this amount indicates that is accepted.
two samples do not have equal variance (if the Weight gain at 6 months of age
significance level is less than 0.05 then the variance In table 8, if Levene test for equality of
of two samples are equal in the level of 5% and if variances shows that two variances are equal, the
this amount is less than 0.01 then the variance of first row of the result is used. But if Levene test
two samples are not equal in the level of 1%). So shows that the variances of two samples are not
the second row is used. equal, the second row of the results should be used.
According to the above table, the In this example, the significance level of Levene’s
significance level is equal to 0.031 and because test is equal to 0.561 that this amount indicates that
this level is less than 0.05, so there is a significant two samples do not have equal variance (if the
difference between the weight growth index of significance level is less than 0.05 then the variance
breast-fed and formula-fed infants at 3 months of two samples are equal in the level of 5% and if
of age. And the growth rate index is higher in this amount is less than 0.01 then the variance of

Table 17. The results of independent t-test for Diarrhea

F Significance t Degree of Significance Average

level freedom (df) level (2-tailed) difference

Diarrhea 38.839 0.000 -4.687 58 0.000 -0.5

-4.687 48.068 0.000 -0.5

Table 18. The results of descriptive statistics of independent t-test for intergroup
difference between breastfeeding and formula feeding

Average of the Standard Average Number Feeding

standard error deviation

.08510 0.46609 1.3 30 Breastfeeding Vomiting

.06920 0.37905 1.8333 30 Formula

Table 19. Independent T-test results for Vomiting

Average Level of significance Degrees of t Level of F

difference (2-tailed) freedom significance

-0.53333 0.000 58 -4.862 0.016 6.153 Vomiting

-0.53333 0.000 55.687 -4.862

Table 20. The results of descriptive statistics of independent t-test for

the intergroup difference between breastfeeding and formula feeding

Average of the Standard Average Number Feeding

standard error deviation

.06312 0.34575 1.1313 30 Breastfeeding Urinary tract infection
.03333 0.18257 1.9667 30 Formula feeding
 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018) 1724

two samples are not equal in the level of 1%). So the table is used. In this example, the amount of
the second row is used. significant level which shows the significant level
According to table 8, the significant level of Levene test is 0.724. This result shows that the
was 0.561 and as it is less than 0.05, it means that two sample tests have the same variance (when the
there is a significant difference between the weight significant level is less than 0.05, the variance of
gain indicator of the 6-months old breast-fed and the two tests are not equal in the level of 5% while
formula-fed infants. In babies who were breast if the significant level is less than 0.01, the variance
feeding, this indicator showed more growth. So of the two tests are not equal in the level of 1%) so
the assumption of zero is accepted. the first row of the table is used.
Weight gain at 9 months of age According to table 9, the significant level
If the Levene test shows that the two was 0.724 and as it is more than 0.05, it means that
variances are equal, the first row of table 9 is used there is not a significant difference between the
while if the test shows that the variances of the weight gain indicator of the 9 months old breast-fed
two tests are not the same, and the second row of and formula-fed infants. In babies who were breast
feeding, this indicator showed more growth. So the
Table 21. Summary of independent height growth test null hypothesis is accepted.
results Weight gain at 12months of age
If the Levene test shows that the two
Variable Age T-test Significance variances are equal, the first row of table 13 is
value level used while if the test shows that the variances of
the two tests are not the same, the second row of
Height Growth 0-1 months 31.000 0.016 the table is used. In this example, the amount of
1-2 months 5.494 0.000
significant level which shows the significant level
2-3 months 2.810 0.005
3-4 months 7.425 0.043
of Levene test is 0.495. This result shows that the
4-5 months 6.791 0.044 two sample tests have the same variance (when the
5-6 months 6.719 0.038 significant level is less than 0.05, the variance of
6-7 months 2.121 1.000 the two tests are not equal in the level of 5% while
7-8 months 3.674 1.000 if the significant level is less than 0.01, the variance
8-9 months 2.683 0.148 of the two tests are not equal in the level of 1%) so
9-10 months 1.225 1.000 the first row of the table is used.
10-11 months 1.265 0.442 According to table 10, the significant level
11-12 months 0.000 1.000
was 0.495 and as it is more than 0.05, it means that

Table 22. Summary of independent weight growth test Table 23. Summary of T-test independent results of
results head circumference growth

Variable Age T-test Significance Variable Age T-test Significance

value level value level

Height Growth 0-1 months 3.145 0.037 Height Growth 0-1 months 6.431 0.024
1-2 months 4.808 0.019 1-2 months 13.168 0.013
2-3 months 3.266 0.031 2-3 months 2.393 0.041
3-4 months 8.222 0.030 3-4 months 8.500 0.048
4-5 months 3.881 0.044 4-5 months 7.906 0.044
5-6 months 0.500- 0.561 5-6 months 8.598 0.027
6-7 months 0.500- 0.561 6-7 months 2.500 0.561
7-8 months 0.293 0.724 7-8 months 0.293 0.724
8-9 months 1.464 0.724 8-9 months 0.949 0.495
9-10 months 1.000 9-10 months 0.178 0.268
10-11 months 0.293 0.724 10-11 months 0.775 0.053
11-12 months 0.000 0.495 11-12 months 0.000 1.000
1725 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

there is not a significant difference between the used while if the test shows that the variances of
weight gain indicator of the 12-months old breast- the two tests are not the same, and the second row
fed and formula-fed infants. of the table is used. In this example, the amount
The third hypothesis of significant level which shows the significant
There is a significant difference between level of Levene’s test is 0.024. This result shows
the head circumference growth indicator for zero that the two sample tests do not have the same
to one-year-old breast-fed and formula-fed infants. variance (when the significant level is less than
In this research, the statistical population 0.05, the variance of the two tests are not equal
in included in two groups of babies, i.e. those who in the level of 5% while if the significant level is
are breast feeding and those who are feeding with less than 0.01, the variance of the two tests are not
powder milk. The population was tested and to equal in the level of 1%) so the second row of the
confirm or reject the hypothesis which says the table is used.
head circumference growth indicators for the two According to table, the significant level
groups are different, the independent t-test was was 0.024 and as it is less than 0.05, it means that
conducted. between the head circumference growth indicator
Tables 11 to 15 show the results of of breast-fed and formula-fed infants at 1 months
the descriptive analysis of independent t-test. of age. In infants who are breast feeding, this
they show the difference between the head indicator shows more growth so the null hypothesis
circumference growth indicators for indicator of is accepted.
breast-fed and formula-fed infants Head circumference growth in 3-months old
Head circumference growth in one-month-old infants
infants If the Levene’s test shows that the two
If the Levene’s test shows that the two variances are equal, the first row of table 12 is
variances are equal, the first row of table 11 is used while if the test shows that the variances of

Fig. 1. Average growth of head circumference in breastfed and formula fed children

Table 24. Summary of T-test independent results of infectious and digestive diseases

Variable Period T-test value Significance level

Infectious and digestive diseases Diarrhea 4.687- 0.000

Vomit 4.862- 0.016
Urinary tract infection 11.674- 0.004
Gastroenteritis 16.155- 0.000
OTU 29.000- 0.043
 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018) 1726

the two tests are not the same, the second row of the same variances (whenever the number of
the table is used. In this example, the amount of significance level is less than 05, at the level of 5%
significant level which shows the significant level and if this number is less than .01 At the level of
of Levene’s test is 0.41. This result shows that the 1%, the variances of the two samples is not equal)
two sample tests do not have the same variance so we use the first line.
(when the significant level is less than 0.05, the Considering the above table, it is seen
variance of the two tests are not equal in the level that the significance level is at 0.495 and because
of 5% while if the significant level is less than 0.01, it is higher than 0.05, it means that is, there is
the variance of the two tests are not equal in the no significant difference in head circumference
level of 1%) so the second row of the table is used. between the group of breastfed and formula fed
According to table 12, the significant level babies at 9 months of age.
was 0.041 and as it is less than 0.05, it means that Growth of the head circumference at 12 months
there is a significant difference between the head In Table 15, if the Leven’s test for equality
circumference growth indicator of the 3-months of two variances indicates that the two variances are
old babies who are breast feeding and those who equal, we use the first line of the results. However,
are feeding with powder milk,. In infants who are if the Levene’s test shows that the variance of the
breast feeding, this indicator shows more growth two samples is not equal, then the second line of the
so the null hypothesis is accepted. results should be used. In this example, the value
Head circumference growth in 6-months old of the significance level indicating the significance
infants level of the Leven’s test is 1.000, indicating that the
If the Levene’s test shows that the two two samples have the same variances (if the number
variances are equal, the first row of table 13 is used of significance level is less than 05, at a level of
while if the test shows that the variances of the two 5% and whenever this number is less than .01 at
tests are not the same, the second row of the table the level of 1%, the variance of the two samples is
is used. In this example, the amount of significant not equal, so we use the first line.
level which shows the significant level of Levene’s According to the above table, it is seen
test is 0.561. This result shows that the two sample that the level of significance is 1.000 and because
tests do not have the same variance (when the it is higher than 0.05, that is, between the group of
significant level is less than 0.05, the variance of breastfed and formula- fed children, at 12 months
the two tests are not equal in the level of 5% while of age, there is not a significant difference in head
if the significant level is less than 0.01, the variance circumference index.
of the two tests are not equal in the level of 1%) so The following figure shows the average
the second row of the table is used. head circumference growth of breastfed and
According to table 13, the significant level formula-fed children at different spans of time.
was 0.027 and as it is less than 0.05, it means that The forth hypothesis
there is a significant difference between the head There is a significant difference between
circumference growth indicator of breast-fed and the frequency of infectious and digestive diseases
formula-fed infants at 6 months of age. In infants in children younger than one year of age who are
who are breast feeding, this indicator shows more breastfed.
growth so the null hypothesis is accepted. In this hypothesis, the index of infectious
Head circumference growth at 9 months of age and digestive disorders was evaluated and
In the table 14, if the Levene test for the measured in six different diseases, and the results
equality of the two variances shows that the two are recorded in the following tables.
variances are equal, we use the first line of the Diarrhea
results. However, if the Levene test shows that The table above shows the mean and
the variances of the two samples are not equal, standard deviations and the standard error of the
then the second line of the results should be used. mean indices of diarrhea disease in breastfed and
In this example, the value of the significant level, formula fed children. As the table shows, the
indicating the significant level of the Levene’s test average of diarrhea in formula fed children is more
is .495. This shows that the two samples have than the breastfed ones.
1727 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

In Table 17, if the Levene’s test for Urinary tract infection

equality of two variances shows that the two In the table above, the indices of the
variances are equal, we use the first line of the mean and standard deviation and the standard error
results. However, if the Levene’s test shows that average for the urinary tract infection in breastfed
the variance of the two samples is not equal, then and formula-fed children are presented. As can be
the second line of the results should be used. found from the table, the average rate of urinary
In this example, the value of the tract infection in formula-fed children is higher
significance level that represents the significance than that of breastfed ones. The highest frequency
level of the Levene’s test is .000, which indicates of children in terms of age, in the formula feeding
that the two samples have not the same variances group belongs to the 11-12 months old and 1-2
(if the number of significance level is less than .05, months old with a frequency of 13.3% and in the
at the level of 5% and if this number is less than .01 breastfeeding group belonging to the 1-2 month
at the level of 1%, the variances of the two samples old group with a frequency of 13.3%. The highest
are not equal; So the second line will be used. frequency of respondents by gender belonged
According to the above table, it can be to the group of female infants (56.7%) in the
seen that the level of significance is 0.000 and breastfeeding group and in the formula-fed group
because it is lower than 0.05, it means that, between the frequency of male and female children was
the group of breastfed children and those who are equal.
formula-fed, there is a significant difference in After testing the hypotheses, the results suggested:
the diarrhea index and this indicator has a higher There is a significant difference between the height
growth rate in formula- fed infants. So the zero growth indices in children under one year of age
assumption is accepted. who received breastfeeding with children who had
Vomiting formula feeding.
The table above shows the mean and As you see in the above table, from 1
standard deviations and the standard error of the month to 6 months, there is a significant difference
mean in vomiting disease in breastfed or formula- between the rate of growth of children fed with
fed children. As can be realized from the table, the Infant formula and breastfeeding children and the
average vomiting rate in formula-fed is higher than significance level in these courses is less than 0.05.
breastfed children. A confirmation that there is a significant difference
In Table 19, if the Levene’s test for between the breastfeeding infants and consume
equality of two variances shows that the two milk infant’s growth. And in all six periods, the
variances are equal, we use the first line of the average growth rate of breastfed infants is higher
results. But, if the Levene’s test shows that the than that of baby milk infants. In the 6 months to
variances of the two samples are not equal, then 12 month period, unlike the previous six months,
the second line of the results should be used. In there is no significant difference in the growth
this example, the value of the significance level rate between the breastfeeding infant and Infant-
indicating the significance level of the Levene’s formula infants, as the significance level of this
test is .016. This means that the two samples have group is greater than 0.05. There was a significant
not the same variances (if the number of significant difference between the Weight growth indicators in
levels is less than .05, at a level of 5% and when children 0 to 1-year-old who received breast milk
this number is less than .01 at the level of 1%, the with children who had Infant formula.
variances of the two samples is not equal, so the As it can be observed in the table above,
second line will be used. from 1 month to 6 months, there is a significant
According to the above table it is seen difference between the weight growth indicator
that the level of significance is 0.016 and as it is of children fed with Infant-formula and infants fed
lower than 0.05, it means there is no significant breast milk. The significant level of these courses
difference between breastfed and formula fed is less than 0.05. This is a confirmation that there is
babies in vomiting index. This index has more a significant difference between the weight growth
growth in formula fed babies; therefore the null indicator of breast-fed infants and infants who use
hypothesis is accepted. Infant-formula. And in all six cycles, the average
 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018) 1728

weight growth indicator of infants consuming pattern of children fed breast milk and milk
breast milk is higher than that of infants who use powder in Neyshabur city and compared it with
Infant-formula. From 6 months to 12 months, the National Center for Health Statistics. A Growth
unlike 6 earlier periods is observed that there is no chart is a clinical tool for assessing the health and
significant difference in weight growth between development of a child that can be influenced by
the group of breastfed infants and infants who use various factors including methods of nutrition. The
Infant-formula since the significance level of this aim of this study was to compare the growth indices
group is greater than 0.05. There is a significant of infants fed breast milk and infant formula and
difference between head circumference growth compare them with the National Center for Health
index in children between 0 and 1 year of age who Statistics in 2017. This descriptive-analytical study
have been breastfed with children who consume was performed on 186 children under the age of 6
infant-formula. months in a randomized sampling method in urban
As the above table, it can be seen from the and rural health centers in Neyshabur in 2017. The
age of 1 month to 6 months between the growth data gathering tool was a checklist in which the
rates of the head of children fed with milk, there is demographic characteristics and information on the
a significant difference between children fed breast children’s anthropometric indices were completed
milk and as can be seen, the significance level of from their health records. Data were analyzed using
these courses is less than 0.05. This is confirmation SPSS software version 20 and statistical analysis
that there is a significant difference between the at the significance level. The results showed
growth of the head circumference of the breastfed that there was a significant difference between
infant and the infant who consumes milk powder the mean of anthropometric indices of infants
and in all six cycles, the average growth of the head (weight, height, and head circumference) in two
circumference of the breastfeeding infant is higher groups of breastfed and milk powder infants at two
than who use Infant-formula. In the 6 months to 12 months and six-month group. In this research, the
months of age, contrary to the earlier six months, comparison between breast milk and infant milk
there is no significant difference in the growth was studied only in the first six months of life. The
rate between the breastfeeding and Infant-formula growth indices indicated that there was a significant
infants in the breast milk, as the significance difference between the two groups in height weight
level of this group is greater than 0.05. There is and head circumference. In our study, we looked
a significant difference between the incidence of at these changes in the first 12 months of the
infectious and gastrointestinal diseases in children birth. And the result we scored for growth indices
younger than one year of age who received milk in the first six months was quite consistent with
powder. the results of Vafaie and his colleagues. In other
In the above table, the incidence of six words, as Vafaie noted in their research there is a
types of infectious and gastrointestinal diseases significant difference between height and weight
is monitored among children fed with milk and growth and head circumference in nursing and
infants fed breast milk and we concluded that there breastfeeding infants. The average of this growth
is a significant difference between the two groups in infants who drinks breast milk is higher than
and as can be observed, the significant level in these that of infants who drink milk powder. We also
courses is less than 0.05. This is a confirmation concluded in the first part of our research and it
that there is a significant difference between can be said that these two types of research are in
the incidence of infectious and gastrointestinal agreement with each other, but in the second part
diseases in breastfed infants and infants who use of the study, we look at the growth indices in the
milk powder. And in all six types of disease, the second six months of the birth, we observed that
prevalence is lower among infants of breast milk there is no significant difference in growth between
than infants who use milk powder. two groups of children with different nutrition.
Dahaghin and Mobasheri in 2017 in an article,
Discussion were comparing the indices of growth (weight,
height, head circumference) in children breastfed
Vafaie et al. (1995) reviewed the growth and formula-fed during their first 6 months of life.
1729 Gorohi et al., Biomed. & Pharmacol. J, Vol. 11(3), 1717-1730 (2018)

The baby’s natural growth and nutrition are closely then these two studies are in agreement with each
interrelated. In the first year of life, especially in the other.
first six months of childhood growth, regular and
periodic measurements of growth indices (weight, Conclusion
height, and head circumference) are an appropriate
measure of the growth of the child. Therefore, The purpose of this study was to compare
weight, which is considered to be the most sensitive the growth curve of 0-12-month-old children fed
indicator of growth, is considered the best way to with powder milk with children fed at the same age
diagnose a growth disorder and malnutrition in a with breast milk. For this purpose, the weight of
child. There are significant differences between 95% of newborn infants was evaluated at birth. The
growth indices of newborns in different countries data were collected from a questionnaire whose
due to race and environmental economic factors. validity was tested by Cronbach’s alpha method.
Studies have concluded that breastfeeding children This information was analyzed in SPSS version 22
have an ideal organic growth of up to 3 months, software by appropriate statistical tests according to
but they lose weight from 3 to 6 months of age. research hypotheses. Data analysis was performed
Regarding the changes in growth indices between on the basis of statistical inference and with the help
these two groups (breast milk and powder milk), it of appropriate statistical techniques to confirm or
was decided to compare these indices in these two reject.
groups. This study is a descriptive-cross sectional
study and it is a community of all children who References
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