Postpartum dietary supplement Batrisu vasanu improves the growth parameters of infants: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is a primary and essential source of nutrition for proper growth and development of infants. However, due to insufficient lactation, adequate feeding of mothers milk raises a concern. Galactagogues and similar traditional practices are common among Indian women, which helps in recovery of mother postpartum, and improves the child growth. Materials and Methods: A total of 38 mothers prospectively enrolled to evaluate the effect of dietary supplement use, namely methi-laddus and batrisu vasanu, on the growth parameters of infants. They were enrolled during antenatal visit and were followed up to 2-months postpartum, using semi-structured questionnaire and clinical proforma. Demographic details, clinical details and development parameters of infant were observed. Results: Participants of similar demographic characteristics were divided into three cohorts as unexposed, exposed group 1 (methi-laddus users) and exposed group 2 (batrisu vasanu users). Exposed group 2 showed significantly increased weight velocity (p value ≤ 0.001) and growth velocity (p value ≤ 0.001) than both the other cohorts. Mothers of exposed groups 1 and 2 both had sufficient lactation postpartum, as noted in clinical proforma. Conclusion: Present study concludes that a traditional dietary supplement – batrisu vasanu use among postpartum mothers improves the growth of infants.