A Randomised Control Trial to Assess Food Acceptance in Infants at 7 Months of Age After the Specific Food Exposure to Mothers in Antenatal or Postnatal Period

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the effect of maternal exposure to a specific food substance in the diet during her antenatal or postnatal period and comparing the acceptance of the same food in infant during feeding. MethodsMothers were recruited in JSS hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka when they came for antenatal visits after they have met inclusion criteria. Informed consent was signed by the mother after the study details and outcomes were explained by the principal investigator.Mothers were randomised into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C. Group A mothers were instructed to consume a diet containing 200 gm of spinach per meal 3–4 times in a week in their third trimester of pregnancy, group B mothers were instructed to consume 200 gm of spinach per meal 3–4 times in a week during the first three months immediate postnatal period and group C mothers served as controls as no dietary intervention were made.Mothers were advised regarding complementary feeding pattern to babies after 6 completed months as per IYCF guidelines. In addition, we modified the diet by introducing 30 gms of cooked spinach. The facial expression of the babies during each exposure was videotaped by the mothers which was then assessed by Neonatologist and Clinical psychologist. The principal investigator coded each video with a different assessment code and the results were analysed using Feeding infants behaviour and facial expression coding system (FIBFECS) scale.If a baby accepts the food without facial expression of distaste it is considered as ‘acceptance’ in any exposure. If the baby does not accept the food, a maximum of 6 exposures on 6 different days is given. If the baby has facial expression of distaste even after 6th exposure, is accounted for as ‘unacceptance’ ResultsIn comparision between the mothers, antenatally(gp-A) and postnatally (gp-B) with the control (gp_C), infants whose mother consumed spinach antenatally showed a higher rate of acceptance during complementary feeding with a significant p value of 0.025.Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA. ConclusionsExposure of flavours to babies antenatally or postnatally did show benefit in uptake of the food during complementary feeding. This indicates that the influence of the maternal feeding habits on the child’s psychology does exists, and the idea that when the child is exposed repeatedly, the dislike to certain foods may decrease. Funding SourcesNone.