Objective: Early detection of nutritional problems and timely interventions in early childhood can prevent developmental issues. This study aimed to investigate the impact of nutrition during the first year of life on developmental outcomes in the preschool period.Material and Method: We conducted a single-center descriptive study with 139 children aged 1-6 years and their mothers, who attended Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Hospital Family Medicine Polyclinics between March and June 2019. Mothers who agreed to participate provided written consent. After completing a structured information form, the Denver II Developmental Screening Test Turkey Standardization (DGTT II) was administered to the children.Results: Of the participants, 35 mothers (25.2%) had only one child, and the DGTT II results for these children were significantly better (p = 0.015). Children who were exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months had a higher rate of normal DGTT II results (p = 0.038). Conversely, children who were not fed formula had significantly higher rates of normal DGTT II results (p = 0.028). Those who were given cow’s milk before 1 year of age had a higher rate of abnormal DGTT II results (p = 0.037).Conclusion: The study found a significant association between abnormal DGTT II results and male gender, living in an extended family, not being an only child, not being exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, and being fed with formula or cow’s milk. Regular monitoring of children in large and multi-child families, along with providing mothers with education on infant nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum, may reduce developmental problems.
Sağsöz et al. (Mon,) studied this question.