Abstract
Weaning (or introduction of complementary feeding) is a special and important moment in the growth of a child, both for the family and the infant itself, and it can play a major role in the child’s future health. Throughout the years, various weaning modes have come in succession, the latest being baby-led weaning; the timing for introducing foods and the requirements of which sort of nutrient for weaning have also changed over time. Furthermore, the role played by nutrition, especially in the early stages of life, for the onset of later non-communicable disorders, such as diabetes, obesity or coeliac disease has also been increasingly highlighted.Members of Italian Society of Gastroenterology, Hepathology and Pediatric Nutrition (SIGENP) and the Italian Society of Allergology and Pediatric Immunology (SIAIP) Emilia Romagna here propose a practical approach for pediatricians to deal with daily practice. The four main areas for discussion were weaning in relation with the onset of allergic diseases, coeliac disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, the nutrition requirements to take into account for assessing the diet of infants under one year of age and about the practice of baby-led weaning focusing on limits and benefits, respectively.
Highlights
Weaning or the introduction of complementary feeding is an important moment in the growth of a child, both for the family and the infant itself, and it can play a major role in a child’s future health.Different weaning practices have characterized this stage of life according to traditions, ethnical origins and scientific beliefs
This document has been jointly drafted by members of Italian Society of Gastroenterology, Hepathology and Pediatric Nutrition (SIGENP) and the Italian Society of Allergology and Pediatric Immunology (SIAIP) Emilia Romagna, working both in hospital and outpatient
Nwaru et al [11] assessed papers from 2000 to 2012 and observed a pooled lifetime and point prevalence of selfreported food allergy were 17.3% and 5.9%, respectively while the point prevalence of sensitization to #1 food as assessed by specific IgE was 10.1% and by skin prick test 2.7%, and by food challenge positivity 0.9%. The causes for this increasing are not completely clear yet: it is likely that this data might be the result of a combination between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, changes in lifestyle and nutrition habits, especially diet in the first months of life [12]. Based on these data and on some studies published in the ’90s, some prestigious scientific societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [13], the American College of Asthma Allergy and Immunology [14] and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) [15], had issued recommendations on weaning for children at risk for allergy, which included a late introduction of allergenic foods, such as milk after 12 months of age and egg after 24 months
Summary
Weaning or the introduction of complementary feeding is an important moment in the growth of a child, both for the family and the infant itself, and it can play a major role in a child’s future health. The causes for this increasing are not completely clear yet: it is likely that this data might be the result of a combination between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, changes in lifestyle and nutrition habits, especially diet in the first months of life [12] Based on these data and on some studies published in the ’90s, some prestigious scientific societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [13], the American College of Asthma Allergy and Immunology [14] and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) [15], had issued recommendations on weaning for children at risk for allergy, which included a late introduction of allergenic foods, such as milk after 12 months of age and egg after 24 months. Believe it would be reasonable to avoid, if possible, a “strict” timetable for introducing new foods, and to follow the infant’s tastes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
