ABSTRACT
Information on the effects of government nutrition programmes provided to socially vulnerable children to improve their nutritional status is scarce. We analysed the effectiveness of a nutritional programme, including food supplementation with infant formula, on the evolution of the weight and height of socially vulnerable children from Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon. This study included 7752 children aged 12-24 months admitted to the programme between 2017 and 2020. Weight and height measurements at admission and every three months thereafter were extracted from the programme database. Weight-for-age, weight-for-height, body mass index-for-age (BMI/A), and height-for-age z-scores were analysed using a multilevel linear regression model, which showed a statistically significant decrease in nutritional deficits toward nutritional recovery at follow-up. The programme's effectiveness was evaluated in 1617 children using a paired analysis comparing data from between 12 and 15 months of age at admission and follow-up after 6-9 months. Children admitted with wasting presented an increase in the BMI/A z-score, whereas children admitted with a risk of being overweight and obese had a statistically significant decrease in the BMI/A z-score. Children admitted with stunted growth also showed increased height-for-age z-scores. The nutrition programme was effective for children experiencing wasting and reducing excess weight.
Subject(s)
Infant Formula , Nutritional Status , Child , Infant , Humans , Brazil , Body Mass Index , Cachexia , Dietary SupplementsABSTRACT
There is a lack of studies investigating the clinical benefits of prebiotic-supplemented infant formula. In this study, healthy infants that started, on medical recommendation, artificial feeding with one of 2 infant formulas containing 4 g/L of GOS/FOS (9:1) (IF4 group; n = 60) or 8 g/L of GOS/FOS (9:1) (IF8 group; n = 60) were followed for 30 days to the evaluation of growth and gastrointestinal symptoms. Exclusively breastfed infants (EBF; n = 60) were followed up as a reference. Both infant formulas supported adequate weight gain, however, IF4 formula promotes growth more similar to breastfed infants. There was no additional benefit of a dose higher than 4 g/L of GOS/FOS on gastrointestinal symptoms.
ABSTRACT
InfantÌs gut microbiota can be modulated by many factors, including mode of delivery, feeding regime, maternal diet/weight and probiotic and prebiotic consumption. The gut microbiota in dysbiosis has been associated with innumerous diseases. In this sense, early childhood intestinal microbiome modulation can be a strategy for disease prevention. This study had the purpose to evaluate the effect of an infant cereal with probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12®) on infantÌs intestinal microbiota using SHIME®, which simulates human gastrointestinal conditions. The ascending colon was inoculated with fecal microbiota from three children (2-3 years old). NH4+, short chain fatty acids (SCFASs) and microbiota composition were determined by selective ion electrode, GC/MS and 16S sequencing, respectively. After treatment, butyric acid production increased (p < 0.05) 52% and a decrease in NH4+ production was observed (p < 0.01). The treatment stimulated an increase (p < 0.01) of Lactobacillaceae families, more precisely L. gasseri and L. kefiri. L. gasseri has been associated with the prevention of allergic rhinitis in children and L. kefiri in the prevention of obesity. Thus, infant cereal with BB-12® is able to stimulate the growth of L. gasseri and L. kefiri in a beneficial way, reducing NH4+ and increasing the production of SCFAs, especially butyric acid, in SHIME®.
Subject(s)
Bifidobacterium animalis , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Microbiota , Probiotics , Child , Child, Preschool , Edible Grain , Humans , InfantABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between habits and attitudes of mothers and the types of milk offered to their children in their first two years of life. METHODS: Retrospective study including 773 interviews of mothers from 11 Brazilian cities with children under 2 years of age. Interviews were conducted in 11 cities of Brazil. The following factors were analyzed: breastfeeding method planned during pregnancy and the method actually applied after birth; type(s) of milk(s) used on the day of the interview and earlier; age at which the child was introduced to whole milk; and source of advice used to choose a certain type of milk. RESULTS: Breast milk was offered to 81.7% of infants during their first six months of life, to 52.2% of infants during their second semester (p<0.001) and to 32.9% of infants during their second year of life (p<0.001). In contrast, cow's milk consumption increased from 31.1 to 83.8% (p<0.001) and 98.7% (p=0.05), respectively, for these three age groups. Infant (15.0%) and follow-on (also known as toddler's) (2.3%) formulas were used by a much smaller number of infants than whole cow's milk. Most mothers were not prescribed whole cow's milk. Pediatricians were the health care professionals who most often recommended infant formulas. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of breastfeeding in Brazil remain below recommended levels. Brazilian mothers often decide to feed their infants with whole cow's milk on their own initiative. The use of infant formulas after weaning is still too low.
OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre hábitos e atitudes de mães com os tipos de leite oferecidos para seus filhos nos dois primeiros anos de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo incluindo 773 entrevistas de mães de 11 cidades brasileiras com filhos com até 2 anos de idade. Foram analisadas as seguintes informações: tipo de aleitamento que planejava enquanto estava na gestação e o efetivamente realizado após o nascimento; tipo(s) de leite(s) utilizado(s) no dia da entrevista e anteriormente; idade de introdução do leite de vaca integral; e origem das recomendações para usar determinado tipo de leite. RESULTADOS: O leite materno era oferecido para 81,7% dos lactentes no primeiro semestre de vida, 52,2% no segundo semestre (p<0,001) e 32,9% no segundo ano de vida (p<0,001). Por sua vez, o consumo de leite de vaca integral aumentou de 31,1 para 83,8% (p<0,001) e 98,7% (p=0,05), respectivamente, nestas três faixas etárias. Fórmula de partida (15,0%) e de seguimento (2,3%) eram utilizadas por um número de lactentes muito menor em relação aos que recebiam leite de vaca integral. A maioria das mães não recebeu prescrição de leite de vaca integral. Os pediatras foram os profissionais da área da saúde que mais frequentemente recomendaram fórmula infantil. CONCLUSÃO: As taxas de aleitamento natural no Brasil continuam abaixo das recomendações. As mães brasileiras, com frequência, decidem oferecer leite de vaca integral por iniciativa própria. É muito baixa a utilização de fórmula infantil quando o aleitamento natural é interrompido.
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Infant Formula/statistics & numerical data , Mothers/psychology , Adult , Brazil , Feeding Behavior , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Retrospective Studies , Urban Population , Young AdultABSTRACT
RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre hábitos e atitudes de mães com os tipos de leite oferecidos para seus filhos nos dois primeiros anos de vida. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo incluindo 773 entrevistas de mães de 11 cidades brasileiras com filhos com até 2 anos de idade. Foram analisadas as seguintes informações: tipo de aleitamento que planejava enquanto estava na gestação e o efetivamente realizado após o nascimento; tipo(s) de leite(s) utilizado(s) no dia da entrevista e anteriormente; idade de introdução do leite de vaca integral; e origem das recomendações para usar determinado tipo de leite. Resultados: O leite materno era oferecido para 81,7% dos lactentes no primeiro semestre de vida, 52,2% no segundo semestre (p<0,001) e 32,9% no segundo ano de vida (p<0,001). Por sua vez, o consumo de leite de vaca integral aumentou de 31,1 para 83,8% (p<0,001) e 98,7% (p=0,05), respectivamente, nestas três faixas etárias. Fórmula de partida (15,0%) e de seguimento (2,3%) eram utilizadas por um número de lactentes muito menor em relação aos que recebiam leite de vaca integral. A maioria das mães não recebeu prescrição de leite de vaca integral. Os pediatras foram os profissionais da área da saúde que mais frequentemente recomendaram fórmula infantil. Conclusão: As taxas de aleitamento natural no Brasil continuam abaixo das recomendações. As mães brasileiras, com frequência, decidem oferecer leite de vaca integral por iniciativa própria. É muito baixa a utilização de fórmula infantil quando o aleitamento natural é interrompido.
ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the relationship between habits and attitudes of mothers and the types of milk offered to their children in their first two years of life. Methods: Retrospective study including 773 interviews of mothers from 11 Brazilian cities with children under 2 years of age. Interviews were conducted in 11 cities of Brazil. The following factors were analyzed: breastfeeding method planned during pregnancy and the method actually applied after birth; type(s) of milk(s) used on the day of the interview and earlier; age at which the child was introduced to whole milk; and source of advice used to choose a certain type of milk. Results: Breast milk was offered to 81.7% of infants during their first six months of life, to 52.2% of infants during their second semester (p<0.001) and to 32.9% of infants during their second year of life (p<0.001). In contrast, cow’s milk consumption increased from 31.1 to 83.8% (p<0.001) and 98.7% (p=0.05), respectively, for these three age groups. Infant (15.0%) and follow-on (also known as toddler’s) (2.3%) formulas were used by a much smaller number of infants than whole cow’s milk. Most mothers were not prescribed whole cow’s milk. Pediatricians were the health care professionals who most often recommended infant formulas. Conclusions: Rates of breastfeeding in Brazil remain below recommended levels. Brazilian mothers often decide to feed their infants with whole cow’s milk on their own initiative. The use of infant formulas after weaning is still too low.
