>Doctors should reconsider the idea that small babies should get extra
>calories to encourage rapid growth, said Dr. Francine Kaufman, a pediatric
>endocrinologist and past president of the American Diabetes Association.

This fits in with the notion of "fetal programming" - a growing
research-based recognition that the fetal environment is a potent predictor
for disease susceptibility in later life.  A compromised fetal environment
makes it difficult for a baby to tolerate a "rich" subsequent life.

It's stunning work about which I know very little, but it makes sense to me
that it wouldn't end at birth, and that the underweight baby whose fetal
environment was somewhat impoverished might actually do better in the long
run with a slower rate of extra-uterine growth.

One of the coolest applications that I've heard of is in India, where I
understand the Health Ministry is warning fathers that stinting on food for
their growing daughters (a traditional approach) condemns their grandsons to
an early grave from diabetes or heart disease if they go on to lead a
traditional male life with more abundant food.

Do a google on fetal programming to learn more.
--
Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY
www.wiessinger.baka.com

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