Articles: health.
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A cohort of all infants born between January 1, 1969 and February 28, 1977 in four rural villages in Eastern Guatemala which were participating in a longitudinal project of nutrition and mental development was studied. As part of the study, prospective information on anthropometric measurements, morbidity, dietary intake and socioeconomic and cultural characteristics was collected. In addition, two types of food supplements were distributed: calorie and protein-calorie. ⋯ We studied the effect of the supplements consumed by the mother during pregnancy and lactation and by the infant on trimestral infant weight and length changes during the first year of life. The data indicate that infant calorie supplementation before three months of age is significantly and negatively associated with infant growth; after three months of age, supplemental calories consumed by the infant are significantly and positively associated with infant weight and length gains. In addition, a small positive association was found between maternal caloric supplementation during lactation and infant growth during the first two trimesters of life, after controlling for potentially confounding factors for which data are available in this study.
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The physician provides a much-needed service to teenagers by counseling them regarding sexuality. A series of conferences during adolescence and use of questionnaires can facilitate discussion and point up potential problems. When the patient is confronted with a problem such as a need for contraception or an unwanted pregnancy, the physician should present all the options available and leave the final choice up to the patient. The physician is not obligated to participate in a solution that is counter to his or her moral values.