Economic growth slows, inflation surges Photo 10:56am EDT By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth braked sharply in the first quarter as higher food and gasoline prices dampened consumer spending, and sent a broad measure of inflation rising at its fastest pace in 2-1/2 years. Another report on Thursday showed a surprise rise in the number of Americans claiming unemployment benefits last week, which could cast a shadow on expectations for a significant pick-up in output in the second quarter. Growth in gross domestic product slowed to a 1.8 percent annual rate after a 3.1 percent fourth-quarter pace,...