Comparison of growth of black and white infants during their first two years of life.

Growth data were analyzed on 406 infants (211 black, 195 white) during their first two years of life. Only term children weighing more than 2500 g were included in the study. Prenatal and postnatal care were provided at the same university affiliated health maintenance organization. Mean birth weight of black female newborns was 150 g less than white female newborns with a statistical significance of P = .028. Mean birth weight of black male newborns was 40 g less than white male newborns. The difference was not statistically significant. Black male infants were significantly heavier at 12, 18, and 24 months and significantly taller at 24 months than their white counterparts.Significant differences in velocity of growth were seen between black and white female infants regardless of type of feeding. Black female infants gained more weight between 6 and 12 months and increased their length more rapidly between 18 and 24 months than their white cohorts. These data suggest that black infants demonstrate a somewhat different growth pattern than white infants.