Dietary food intake, nutritional condition, and micronutrient deficiency in low birth weight infants

Objective To describe the feeding practices in low birth weight infants and evaluate the relationship with anthropometric indicators, dietary intake, and iron and zinc deficiency. Methods Cross-sectional study with 54 infants (9–12 months). Data: neonatal and dietary history; birth and anthropometry measures; and dietary intake, serum and erythrocyte zinc levels, and hemoglobin. Results The mean of gestational age was 35.9 ± 1.7 weeks, birth weight 2222 ± 231 g, 42.6% were small for gestational age (SGA), and 66.7% born premature. At the time of evaluation, 7.4% of infants had short stature, and 14.8% were overweight. Infant formula and whole cow’s milk were consumed by 96.2% and 57.7%, respectively. Only 3.7% infants were exclusively breastfed and 87.6% consumed ultra-processed foods. Energy and protein above the recommendation in 98.1% and 100%, respectively. Anemia in 15.4% and erythrocyte zinc deficiency in 4.2%. The energy supply provided by the milk in bottle feeding was directly correlated ( r = 0.276; p = 0.044) with the body mass index z score. Homemade foods consumption ( r = − 0.302; p = 0.027) and total breastfeeding time (rho = − 0.282; p = 0.045) are inversely correlated with body mass index z score. Conclusions Dietary practices in low-birth-weight infants do not agree with the healthy food practices recommendations and were associated with being overweight before the first year of life. However, the frequency of iron and zinc deficiency was low probably due to the consumption of fortified ultra-processed foods.