Feeding babies eggs can significantly increase their growth, according to a new US study.
Research conducted at Washington University showed eggs fed to babies from the age of six months increased growth and reduced stunting by 47 per cent.
While the nutritional benefits of eggs is widely known, this effect on a child's growth was much greater than expected, said Associate Professor Lora Lannotti, lead author of the study.
"We were surprised by just how effective this intervention proved to be," Prof Lannotti said.
Stunting occurs as a result of chronic under-nutrition during the most critical periods of growth and development in early life.
According to the World Health Organization, 155 million children under the age of five are stunted, or too short for their age.
In India alone, its estimated almost half of all children under the age of five are stunted.
As part of a randomised, controlled trial in Ecuador children aged six-to nine months were randomly assigned to be given one egg every day for six months, versus a control group, which did not receive eggs.
In the children who ate eggs, both their height and weight increased.
Models also indicated a reduced prevalence of stunting by 47 per cent and underweight by 74 per cent.
Allergic reactions to eggs were "carefully" monitored yet no incidents were observed or reported by caregivers.
Recent research by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute showed more than nine per cent of Australian children had a confirmed egg allergy at age one.
This figure dropped to 1.2 per cent by the time the child was age four.
Prof Lanotti says not only are eggs a good source of nutrients for growth and development in children, they have the potential to contribute to reducing stunting around the world.
"Eggs can be affordable and easily accessible," she said.
