Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS, cilt.13, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Introduction Complementary feeding (CF) is a critical period in infant nutrition, during which pediatricians play a pivotal role. This study aimed to examine CF recommendations by pediatricians in T & uuml;rkiye, focusing on differences based on infants' allergy status, and the influence of physician characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2024 using a semi-structured, self-administered online questionnaire developed by the researchers and distributed among pediatric physicians in T & uuml;rkiye, including residents, general pediatricians, and subspecialists. For the purposes of this study, allergic infants were defined as those with any form of physician-diagnosed allergy (e.g., atopic dermatitis), excluding confirmed specific food allergies. Results Among 300 pediatric physicians, 90.3% recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. For non-allergic infants, 87.7% advised initiating CF at six months, compared to 75% for allergic infants. The most commonly recommended initiation method was spoon-fed pur & eacute;es (54.7%), with vegetables being the most frequently suggested first food (61.3%), followed by yogurt (24.3%) and fruit pur & eacute;e (9.3%). Significant differences were observed between allergic and non-allergic infants in the timing of allergenic food introduction. A >= 3-day interval between new foods was more frequently recommended for allergic infants (91.3% vs. 78.3%, p < 0.001). Egg white, egg yolk, and fish were introduced later in allergic infants (p < 0.001), while recommendations for cow's milk and cereals did not differ significantly. Baby-led weaning (BLW) and Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS) were recommended by 76.7% and 38% of respondents, respectively. Female and less experienced physicians were more likely to endorse infant-led feeding approaches like BLW and BLISS, while more experienced physicians preferred spoon-feeding. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that physician experience and gender were significantly associated with CF method recommendations. Discussion These findings indicate that although most pediatricians in T & uuml;rkiye align with international CF guidelines, notable inconsistencies remain based on infant allergy status and provider characteristics, underscoring the need for standardized and evidence-based training programs.