Infant Diet Research Articles

Investigating infant feeding development in wild chimpanzees using stable isotopes of naturally shed hair.

Measuring the relative contributions of milk and non-milk foods in the diets of primate infants is difficult from observations. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in hair can be used to physiologically track infant feeding through development, but few wild studies have done so, likely due to the difficulty in collecting hair non-invasively. We assessed infant feeding at different ages in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Ngogo, Uganda using δ13C and δ15N of keratin in 164 naturally shed hairs from 29 infants (61 hairs), 6 juveniles (7 hairs), 28 mothers (67 hairs) and 14 adult males (29 hairs). Hairs were collected when they stuck to feces during defecation or from the ground after chimpanzees groomed or rested. We could not distinguish between the hairs of infants and mothers using strand length and diameter. Infants 1-2 years old were most enriched in 13C and 15N and showed means of 1.1‰ in δ13C and 2.1‰ in δ15N above their mothers. Infants at 2 years had hair δ13C values like those of their mothers, which suggests infants began relying more heavily on plants around this age. While mother-infant δ13C and δ15N differences generally decreased with offspring age, as is expected when infants rely increasingly more on independent foraging through development, milk seemed to remain an important dietary component for infants older than 2.5 years, as evidenced by continuing elevated δ15N. We showed that stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in naturally shed hairs can feasibly detect trophic level differences between chimpanzee infants and mothers. Since it can mitigate some of the limitations associated with behavioral and fecal stable isotope data, the use of hair stable isotopes is a useful, non-invasive tool for assessing infant feeding development in wild primates.

Understanding the longitudinal trends (2005-2018) and multilevel risk factors of complementary feeding in Guinea.

This study aimed to define complementary feeding trends in Guinea from 2005 to 2018 and complementary feeding risk factors at the individual, household, and community levels. Data from 2005 to 2018 demographic health surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys were used to describe complementary feeding trends in Guinea. The most recent DHS was used to examine complementary feeding risk factors at the individual, household, and community levels. Complementary feeding indicators including introduction to complementary foods (INTRO), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were calculated based on the 2010 World Health Organisation guidance. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify significant risk factors (p < 0.05). Since 2005, there has been a marginal increase in MDD and MAD, but a decrease in INTRO and MMF. The 2018 DHS survey revealed various complementary feeding risk factors. At the individual level, travelling 1-60 min to get water was associated with decreased odds of meeting INTRO, while iron supplementation and maternal education were associated with increased odds of meeting MMF and MDD, respectively. Routine vitamin A supplementation, fever in the past 2 weeks, and low birth weight were associated with increased odds of meeting MAD. At the household level, being in a lower wealth quintile was associated with decreased odds of meeting MDD and MAD. National and subnational programmes and policies designed to improve infant and young child diets may consider tailored approaches that address the specific indicators and risk factors associated with poorer diets in this Guinean context.

High-resolution isotopic data link settlement complexification to infant diets within the Roman Empire.

Our study explores the potential relationship between infant feeding practices and settlement complexity in the Roman Empire through high-resolution Bayesian-modeled stable isotope measurements from incremental dentine. We compiled isotopic data from permanent first molars of individuals from various Roman sites: five from Bainesse (UK), 30 from Thessaloniki (Greece), along with new carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses from four individuals from Pompeii and six from Ostia Via del Mare (AVM). Our results reveal significant inter-site variability in breastfeeding durations, ranging from 1.5 years to approximately 5 years. Notably, individuals from the highly complex urban centers of Pompeii and Thessaloniki ceased breastfeeding around or below the 2-year weaning threshold recommended by Roman physicians. In contrast, individuals from the rural site of Ostia AVM and the site of Bainesse, near the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, generally ceased breastfeeding after 2 years of age. The link between settlement complexity and duration of breastfeeding observed in our study may have resulted from adherence to medical guidelines, support infrastructures, and/or strategies to mitigate financial constraints within households.

Adherence to Introduction of Iron-Rich Solid Foods Recommendations for Infants: An Analysis of Canadian Community Health Survey Data Using Cycles 2015-2018.

Globally, guidelines on the introduction of solid foods to a breastfed infant's diet emphasize the importance of iron-rich foods. The objective of this study was to report on adherence to Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants (NHTI) guidance on introduction of iron-rich solid foods first in infants living in Canada and to explore factors associated with adherence using disaggregated data. Nationally representative cross-sectional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey annual cycles 2015-2018 from biological mothers delivering an infant in the past 5 y were used (N = 7253). Age at introduction of solid food and the type of first food were weighted and then categorized by breastfeeding history. Foods were categorized as typically iron-rich or not. Correlates of adherence were explored using logistic regression. Most (65.8%; 95% CI: 63.7, 67.8) mothers introduced iron-rich solids first to their infant's diet between 5 and 6.99 mo of age. The most common first iron-rich solid was infant cereal (66.1%; 95% CI: 64.3, 67.9). Mothers from rural areas had a higher odds of introducing an iron-rich food first. Lower odds were observed among those from the Western provinces and immigrants. Among those who exclusively breastfed for ≥5 mo (n = 3390), 62.3% (95% CI: 59.5, 65.1) introduced an iron-rich solid food first, of these 19.7% (95% CI: 16.9, 22.6) did so late (≥7 mo). Higher odds of late introduction of iron-rich foods in this subgroup were associated with mothers who were single, never married, were of lower education, immigrated >5 y ago, and were of Black or South Asian race. Most infants in Canada are introduced to an iron-rich solid food first at about 6 mo of age, indicating partial adherence to the NHTI guidelines. More efforts are needed to reinforce the importance of introducing iron-rich solid foods first in the diet of the breastfed infant at about 6 mo of age.

Maternal allergy-preventive diet index, offspring infant diet diversity, and childhood allergic diseases.

Studies of childhood diet diversity and allergic disease have not examined additional associations with an offspring allergy-linked maternal diet index during pregnancy. We studied both associations in a pre-birth cohort. Offspring allergic disease diagnoses were obtained from electronic medical records. Maternal and infant diet were self-reported. Adjusted parametric Weibull time-to-event models assessed associations between maternal diet index, infant diet diversity and time to development of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, wheeze, IgE-mediated food allergy, and a combined outcome of any allergic disease except for wheeze. Infant diet diversity at 1 year was associated with the risk of the combined outcome between 1 and 4 years of age (p = .002). While both maternal diet index and infant diet diversity at 1 year were associated with the risk of the combined outcome between 1 and 4 years of age (both p < .05), infant diet diversity at 1 year did not modify the association between maternal diet index and the risk of the combined outcome between 1 and 4 years of age (p = .5). The group with the lowest risk of the combined allergy outcome had higher maternal diet index and higher infant diet diversity. The novel finding that both maternal diet index during pregnancy and infant diet diversity at 12 months are associated with the risk of a combined allergic disease outcome points to two targets for preventive interventions: maternal diet index scores during pregnancy and offspring diet diversity during infancy.

Efficacy of exclusive human milk diet in preterm infants weighing ≤1500 g: a single-center COHORT study

Background: Preterm infants have high nutrition needs for growth and survival as they are at high risk of mortality and morbidity. An exclusive human milk diet (EHMD) that comprises human milk (HM) either expressed breast milk (EBM) or pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM), fortified with a 100% human milk-based fortifier (HMBF) could provide with safe nutritional strategy in preterm infants. Methods: This single-center, prospective cohort study included a cohort of 25 preterm infants ≤34 weeks of gestation weighing ≤1500 g at birth who were fed with EHMD when the feed volume reached 100 ml/kg/day until the infant was fit for discharge. Results: Of the 25 infants enrolled in the study the mean gestational age was 29.6±1.6 weeks and birth weight was 1171±230.7 g. The mean weight gain was 25.5±5.5 g/day and the mean growth velocity was 17.8±3.4 g/kg/day. Feeding intolerance was observed in 4 infants (16%), the average days to reach full feeds was 12.4±4.9 days and there was no necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) observed. Conclusions: EHMD was well tolerated by the infants with better weight gain. These findings demonstrate that EHMD is a safe and effective nutritional strategy in the management of preterm infants. However, a large RCT (randomized clinical trial) is required to evaluate the efficacy of EHMD.

Organophosphorus flame retardants in infant's diets from Beijing, China: Detection and risk assessment

As a group of widely used flame retardants, organophosphate esters (OPEs) and their metabolites, organophosphate diesters (di-OPEs), have been widely detected in various environmental media and human samples. However, the information on dietary exposure to OPEs for lactating infants is still limited. Here, 38 OPEs and 10 di-OPEs were monitored in 110 infant formula samples and 122 breast milk samples collected in Beijing, China. 20 OPEs (median: 49.9 ng/g, 16.5–160 ng/g) and 6 di-OPEs (median: 20.6 ng/g, 12.4–30.5 ng/g) were detected with frequency above 50% in infant formula, while 5 OPEs (median: 6.66 ng/g, 0.0566–221 ng/g) and 3 di-OPEs (median: 18.8 ng/g, 1.39–591 ng/g) had detection frequency above 50% in breast milk samples. For lactating infants, the total estimated daily intake (EDI) of ∑20OPEs (850 ng/kg bw/day) from infant formula was comparable with that of ∑5OPEs (836 ng/kg bw/day) from breast feeding, while the EDI of ∑6di-OPEs (333 ng/kg bw/day) from infant formula was significantly lower than that of ∑3di-OPEs (2456 ng/kg bw/day) from breast feeding. In summary, the results highlighted the risks of OPEs exposure from breast feeding. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the developmental toxicity of direct exposure to di-OPEs.

Infant feeding practices: an analysis of sociodemographic characteristics and dietary patterns in early life

The significant rise in childhood obesity is a public health challenge, and it is estimated that nearly 25% of children in England start school with overweight or obesity1; those from ethnic minorities and more disadvantaged areas are disproportionately affected2. The transition from exclusive milk feeding to the introduction of solid foods is an important stage in a child’s growth and development as eating habits and behaviours established in early life have been shown to continue into late childhood3. Given the increase in prevalence of childhood obesity, the aim of this study was to describe the weaning diet of infants and explore associations between sociodemographic characteristics.The analysis included mother-infant pairs from the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT), an antenatal diet and physical activity intervention which recruited women with obesity from ethnically diverse inner-city settings4. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics were recorded at baseline (15-18 weeks’ gestation). Infant dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis of a parent reported interviewer-administered food-frequency questionnaire at 6-months of age. To explore relationships between infant dietary patterns and sociodemographic characteristics, a multiple linear regression model was developed and included the following maternal exposures; age, body mass index (BMI), time spent in education, ethnicity, parity, smoking and breastfeeding prevalence at the 6-month follow-up. The model was also adjusted for age of introduction of solids and the UPBEAT intervention arm.720 mother-infant pairs were recruited at 6-months postpartum, and 542 were included in this analysis as weaning had started. There was no effect of the UPBEAT intervention on infant dietary patterns. The average age of introduction of solid foods was 5 ± 0.87 months. Two dietary patterns were identified in the infants. The first pattern defined as ‘Processed’ was high in rusks, baby pouches, porridge, fruit puree, yoghurt, juice, desserts, snacks and meat, fish or savoury-based meals. The second pattern, defined as ‘Healthy’ was high in breakfast cereals, potatoes, yoghurt, biscuits, fruit, vegetables, bread, meat and fish-based meals and pasta. The Processed pattern in the infant was associated with lower maternal age (beta-coefficient −0.01; 95% confidence interval −0.03, −0.003), higher maternal BMI (0.02; 0.003, 0.04), less time spent in education (−0.06; −0.09, −0.02), lower breastfeeding prevalence (−0.28; −0.51, −0.05) and a lower infant age of introduction of solid foods (−0.20, −0.30, −0.10). Women of Black ethnicity were less likely to adhere to a Healthy pattern (−0.40, −0.63, −0.15).A processed dietary pattern at 6-months of age is associated with several maternal sociodemographic factors, including lower educational attainment, lower age at birth and higher BMI. These results support the need to for targeted public health programmes which promote healthier weaning practices.

Nitrate and nitrite quantification in U.S. vegetable-based baby foods and infant formula via ozone chemiluminescence

Determining nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations (“NN”) in infant diets is crucial due to their potential health implications and immature digestive systems. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these ions in commercially available vegetable- and fruit-based baby foods and infant formulas in the United States. We evaluated 151 baby foods and 12 infant formulas to determine the NN quantity in these food items and to assess current exposure levels utilizing ozone chemiluminescence for sensitive detection. Our findings reveal notable variations in NN concentrations across different brands and types, with some exceeding recommended safety limits. The results underscore the necessity for regular assessment and monitoring of NN in these foods to inform development of regulatory standards to safeguard infant health. This research contributes to the discourse on dietary safety and highlights the importance of employing advanced methodologies for public health assurance and well-being of vulnerable populations.

A budget impact analysis of exclusive human milk diet in very low birth weight infants in United Arab Emirates

Introduction Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have the highest rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions owing to the higher comorbidities associated with premature birth and long hospital stays. VLBW infants fed a bovine (BOV)-based diet have higher mortality rates, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis (LOS), and other comorbidities than those fed 100% human milk-based products. This study aims to evaluate the budgetary impact of adopting an exclusive human milk diet (EHMD) instead of a BOV-based diet in VLBW infants from Al-Ain Hospital, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods We use a decision-tree model to estimate the budget impact of adopting EHMD versus the current local practice (BOV) over 5 years. Patients enter the tree model and have a probability of transitioning to one of the following mutually exclusive health states: NEC, which may be treated medically or surgically; LOS, NEC, and LOS; or neither NEC nor LOS. Depending on the feeding strategy, infants in the aforementioned health states are likely to develop any of the following complications: retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or short bowel syndrome. The model accounts for the costs associated with diet, management of health states and complications, and the follow-up period. Results Al-Ain Hospital saved United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 3.3 million ($1.4million) in the first year of the EHMD feeding arm and AED 16.6 million ($7.1million) over the course of 5 years. In comparison to Sheikh Shabout Medical City and DHA, AED 36.7 million ($15.8million) and AED 24 million ($10.3million) were saved over 5 years, respectively, with AED 7.3 million ($3.1million) and 4.8 million ($2million) saved in the first year. The estimated pooled results across the three institutions were AED 5.1 million ($2.2million) and AED 25.7 million ($11million) savings in the first year and over 5 years, respectively. Conclusion Implementing the EHMD feeding scheme in VLBWs that has significant clinical benefits has resulted in substantial budget savings from the payer’s perspective in the UAE owing to fewer comorbidities associated with premature birth and shorter hospital stays. It is highly recommended for the Emirati health care settings to evaluate the real-world neonatal complication rates.

Infant diet quality index predicts nutrients of concern and ultra-processed food intake in low-income children in the United States

BackgroundDiet quality during infancy can influence nutrient intake and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption throughout later childhood. ObjectivesThis study investigated the predictive validity of Infant Diet Quality Index (IDQI) scores from 0 to 1 y of age and consumption of select nutrients and UPFs at different time points in low-income children aged 2–5 y. MethodsDietary surveys and 24-h dietary recalls collected between ages 0 and 12 months from 2613 Special Supplemental Women, Infants, and Children Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 participants were used to assess infant diet quality by final IDQI score ranging from 0 (nonadherence to dietary guidelines) to 1 (complete adherence to guidelines). Single 24-h recalls collected across multiple time points per child aged between 2 and 5 y were used to determine nutrient intakes: vitamin B12 (μg), vitamin D (μg), calcium (mg), iron (mg), zinc (mg), potassium (mg), saturated fat (g), dietary fiber (g), and added sugars (g). Likewise, Nova was used to classify foods (to estimate the percentage of energy from foods) by level of industrial processing at each point in time across ages 2–5 y. Survey-weighted regression analyses estimated associations between total IDQI score and nutrient intake and percentage of energy consumption from each Nova food group at each age between 2–5 y. ResultsIDQI scores based on diet quality from 0–1 y of age were positively associated with children’s dietary fiber and potassium intake at ages 2–5 y. Additionally, IDQI was negatively associated with added sugar intake. No associations were observed between IDQI and saturated fat consumption. IDQI scores at age 1 were positively associated with the percentage of energy attributed to unprocessed/minimally processed foods (20%–23%) and negatively associated with UPF consumption at ages 2–5 y (−24% to −29%). ConclusionsIDQI predicts intake of select nutrients and UPF consumption among low-income US children aged 2–5 y.This trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02031978 as “Feeding My Baby – A National WIC Study,” NCT02031978.

Investigating the effect of whey and casein proteins on drug solubility from a paediatric drug absorption perspective

Considering the predominantly milk-based diet of neonates and infants and their immature gastrointestinal digestion, milk proteins may affect drug behaviour and absorption in this population. Using in vitro models, this study investigated the impact of the representative milk proteins, whey and casein, on the solubility and permeation of the lipophilic model drugs spironolactone, clopidogrel and ritonavir. Drug solubility experiments revealed that the presence of milk proteins increased drug solubility. Next, permeation studies demonstrated that the same milk proteins reduced drug permeation across an artificial membrane. These results highlight the importance of the solubility-permeability interplay and indicate the effect of these proteins may be considered during (paediatric) drug development. Lastly, the findings underscore the importance of considering milk protein-drug interactions to optimize drug delivery strategies during (paediatric) drug development and especially for the youngest and most vulnerable part of this population.

Development of an infant colon simulating in vitro model, I-TIM-2, to study the effects of modulation strategies on the infant gut microbiome composition and function.

The early life stages are critical for the development of the gut microbiome. Variables such as antibiotics exposure, birth-mode via Cesarean section, and formula feeding are associated with disruptions in microbiome development and are related to adverse health effects later in life. Studying the effects of microbiome-modulating strategies in infants is challenged by appropriate ethical constraints. Therefore, we developed I-TIM-2, an infant in vitro colonic model based on the validated, computer-controlled, dynamic model of the colon, TIM-2. The system, consisting of four separate compartments, was inoculated with feces from four healthy, primarily breastfed infants, displaying distinctive microbiome profiles. For each infant's fecal sample, a 96-h experiment was performed, with two compartments receiving an infant diet adapted medium and two compartments additionally receiving five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in physiological concentrations and proportions. Bacterial composition was determined by shotgun metagenomics and qPCR. Concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and HMOs were determined by LC-MS. Microbial diversity and high amounts of inoculum-derived species were preserved in the model throughout each experiment. Microbiome composition and SCFA concentrations were consistent with published data from infants. HMOs strongly modulated the microbiome composition by stimulating relative proportions of Bifidobacterium. This affected the metabolic output and resulted in an increased production of acetic and formic acid, characteristic of bifidobacterial HMO metabolism. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the development of a valid model to study the dynamics and modulations of the infant gut microbiome and metabolome.IMPORTANCEThe infant gut microbiome is intricately linked to the health of its host. This is partly mediated through the bacterial production of metabolites that interact with the host cells. Human milk shapes the establishment of the infant gut microbiome as it contains human milk sugars that select for primarily bifidobacteria. The establishment can be disrupted by modern interventions such as formula feeding. This can alter the microbiome composition and metabolite production profile, which can affect the host. In this article, we set up an infant in vitro colonic model to study microbiome interactions and functions. In this model, we investigated the effects of human milk sugars and their promotion of bifidobacteria at the expense of other bacteria. The model is an ideal system to assess the effects of various modulating strategies on the infant gut microbiome and its interactions with its host.

Efficacy and safety of ketogenic diet in infants with epilepsy: KIWE RCT

Background Many infancy-onset epilepsies have a poor prognosis for seizure control and neurodevelopmental outcome. Ketogenic diets can improve seizures in older children and adults unresponsive to antiseizure medicines. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in reducing seizure frequency compared to further antiseizure medicine in infants with drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods In this randomised, open-label trial, 136 infants with epilepsy, aged 1–24 months, with &gt; 4 seizures/week and a previous trial of ≥ 2 antiseizure medicines were recruited from 19 hospitals in the United Kingdom. Following a 1- or 2-week observation period, participants were randomised to receive the classical ketogenic diet or a further antiseizure medicine for 8 weeks, using a computer-generated schedule without stratification. Treatment allocation was concealed from research nurses involved in patient care, but not from participants. The primary outcome was the number of seizures/day recorded during weeks 6–8. All analyses were intention to treat. The trial is registered with the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (2013-002195-40). Findings Between 1 January 2015 and 30 September 2021, 136 eligible infants were randomised. Sixty-one (78%) of 78 assigned to a ketogenic diet and 47 (81%) of 58 assigned to antiseizure medicine had primary outcome data. At 8 weeks, the number of seizures per day, accounting for the baseline rate and randomised group, was not significantly different between groups [median (interquartile range) ketogenic diet 5 (1, 16); antiseizure medicine 3 (2, 11), incidence rate ratio 1.33, 95%, confidence internal 0.84 to 2.11; p = 0.22]. A similar number of infants reported at least one serious adverse event in both groups [antiseizure medicine: 24/56 (43%), ketogenic diet: 40/78 (51%)]. The most common serious adverse events were seizures in both groups. Three infants died during the course of the trial, all of whom were randomised to the ketogenic diet arm; deaths were considered to be unrelated to treatment. Interpretation There was no evidence that a ketogenic diet was better than further antiseizure medicine in achieving seizure control in infants with epilepsy. The two treatments were similarly tolerated and a ketogenic diet appears safe to use in infants with epilepsy. A ketogenic diet could be a treatment option in infants whose seizures continue despite trial of two standard antiseizure medicines. Study registration This study was registered as EudraCT 2013-002195-40. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme (NIHR award ref: 12/10/18) and is published in full in Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 11, No. 16. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Original theme: Problem of exclusive breastfeeding in the town of Kélo, province of Tandjile (Chad)

With the aim of evaluating the problem of breastfeeding (AME) exclusive of breast milk during the first 6 months of life, a prospective cross-sectional study was spread over a period of three months from May 10 to August 10. 2023. It involved 550 people, including 500 breastfeeding mothers of children aged 0 to 6 months and 50 health personnel. The study or investigation took place in five neighborhoods of the city of Kélo and in five urban health centers of the said city. The pre-established questionnaire sheets made it possible to collect the necessary data which were entered and analyzed using the SPSS version 25 software. The Pearson Chi-2 test was used at a threshold of 0.05 to investigate the relationship between the dependent variables and independent variables. he results showed that the average age of mothers is 32.50 and that of health personnel is 35.50. Married women number 474 or 94.8%, 49.40% are educated at the secondary level followed by 39.60% at the primary level. Almost all breastfeeding mothers are housewives, i.e. 65.80%. The proportions of mothers who practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding are 96.60% compared to 3.40% who practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Also a good proportion of mothers (26.40%) breastfed immediately after childbirth and the majority of these mothers breastfeed their children on demand (77.20%). Herbal tea and water were the main foods introduced into the infant's diet before the age of 6 months. Finally, our results showed that there is a relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and factors such as the mother's profession, the place of delivery, the sex of the child, advice on AME, knowledge of the advantages of AME and the practice of AME immediately after delivery. Knowledge of the advantages of AME must be made more available to mothers in order to improve the health of newborns and even children.

Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acid-Rich Fermented Protein Food Improves the Growth and Intestinal Health by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Young Pigs.

The diet in early life is essential for the growth and intestinal health later in life. However, beneficial effects of a diet enriched in branched short-chain fatty acids (BSCFAs) for infants are ambiguous. This study aimed to develop a novel fermented protein food, enriched with BSCFAs and assess the effects of dry and wet ferment products on young pig development, nutrient absorption, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota and metabolites. A total of 18 young pigs were randomly assigned to three groups. The dry corn gluten-wheat bran mixture (DFCGW) and wet corn gluten-wheat bran mixture (WFCGW) were utilized as replacements for 10% soybean meal in the basal diet. Our results exhibited that the WFCGW diet significantly increased the growth performance of young pigs, enhanced the expression of tight junction proteins, and regulated associated cytokines expression in the colonic mucosa. Simultaneously, the WFCGW diet led to elevated levels of colonic isobutyric and isovaleric acid, as well as the activation of GPR41 and GPR109A. Furthermore, more potential probiotics including Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, and Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group were enriched in the WFCGW group and positively associated with the beneficial metabolites such as 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid. Differential metabolite KEGG pathway analysis suggested that WFCGW might exert gut health benefits by modulating tryptophan metabolism. In addition, the WFCGW diet significantly increased ghrelin concentrations in serum and hypothalamus and promoted the appetite of young pigs by activating hypothalamic NPY/AGRP neurons. This study extends the knowledge of BSCFAs and provides a reference for the fermented food application in the infant diet.

Dietary Exposure of Infants and Young Children to Aflatoxins and Fumonisins in the East African Region: A Review

Proper supplementary nutrition is essential for nurturing and promoting the growth and development of Infants and Young Children (IYC). Poor food quality and safety during this critical period can result in malnutrition. Complementary foods (CF) commonly provided to IYC in East African countries often contain ingredients highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, particularly aflatoxins (AFs) and fumonisins (FBs). This narrative review sought to explore the contamination of infant diets with AFs and FBs, as well as the exposure of IYC to these toxins. The review covers the types of CF used in infant diets, their susceptibility to AFs and FBs contamination, associated dietary exposure, and detection methods, along with regulatory and mitigation strategies in the East Africa region. Studies revealed widespread contamination of staple crops with AFs and FBs, highlighting that IYC primarily encounter these toxins through the consumption of cereal-based CF, often supplemented with legumes and oily seeds. Maize and groundnuts emerge as the predominant ingredients in CF. Despite established regulatory limits for these toxins in food intended for the general population, no specific limits exist for IYC, who are particularly vulnerable due to their high consumption of the susceptible crops and relatively small body size. Limited enforcement of existing regulations, unfortunately, allows the problem to persist in these low-resource countries. Focusing on East Africa, this review synthesizes findings from scientific studies to assess the dietary exposure of children to AFs and FBs through CFs. The findings underscore the need for further research on the magnitude and effects of AFs and FBs exposure, coupled with awareness campaigns to promote the demand for clean and safe CF within the East African Community countries.

A long-term study of stable isotope ratios of fingernail keratin and amino acids in a mother-infant dyad.

To evaluate the potential of compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) for investigating infant feeding practices, we conducted a long-term study that compared infant and maternal amino acid (AA) nitrogen isotope ratios. Fingernail samples were collected from a single mother-infant dyad over 19 months postpartum. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were measured in the bulk keratin of the fingernail samples. Selected samples were then hydrolyzed and derivatized for compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of keratin AAs. As in previous studies, infant bulk keratin nitrogen isotope values increased during exclusive breastfeeding and fell with the introduction of complementary foods and eventual cessation of breastfeeding. Infant trophic AAs had elevated nitrogen isotope values relative to the mother, while the source AAs were similar between the mother and infant. Proline and threonine appeared to track the presence of human milk in the infant's diet as the isotopic composition of these AAs remained offset from maternal isotope values until the cessation of breastfeeding. Although CSIA-AA is costly and labor intensive, it appears to hold potential for estimating the duration of breastfeeding, even after the introduction of complementary foods. Through the analysis of a full suite of AAs, it may also yield insights into infant physiology and AA synthesis.

The Development and Effectiveness of Interactive Multimedia-Based Nutrition Education Module (IMNEM): A Concept Paper

Globally, malnutrition is an issue that has never been overcome, even after a series of efforts by experts, which have never been impressive. The world’s malnutrition burden remains unsatisfactory since malnutrition is solely responsible for more illnesses than other reasons. Malnutrition continues to be a significant problem in Malaysia. The most common manifestation of chronic malnutrition in children is stunting, a lifetime problem for a child in Malaysia. Stunting is an irreversible condition in which a child cannot regain their height in the same way that they can regain weight. Notably, various factors have been identified associated with the risk of stunting among Malaysian children. This includes socio-demographic background, gestational characteristics, maternal and infant diet, feeding practice, illness, and infection. As discovered through the literature review, stunted children face many disabilities, such as learning deficiencies, which affect their productivity for economic prosperity, mostly falling sick more often, losing opportunities to learn, performing poorly in school and growing up to be backward, and more likely to suffer from diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Therefore, this study will develop and evaluate the effectiveness of interactive multimedia-based nutrition education on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) about nutrition, growth monitoring, breastfeeding, and child-feeding practices among mothers with stunted children using the ADDIE model. This study will employ a quasi-experimental research method consisting of control and treatment groups. The study will be conducted in maternal child health clinics in the Seberang Perai district in Pulau Pinang. The population of this study consists of mothers with stunted children under five years old. In this study, convenience sampling will be used to recruit the target population, and the sample size was determined using G*power.

Human milk oligosaccharides produced by synthetic biology

The benefits of human breast milk (HBM) to newborn growth, development, and overall health have been well investigated. As breastfeeding rate has declined significantly, the use of infant formula has risen and remains a significant component of the infant's diet. HBM contains several essential nutritional components, with human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) being the third most abundant following lactose and lipids. A diverse array of HMOs is known to exert great benefits in intestinal, immune, and cognitive functions. In contrast to HBM, infant formula containing mainly bovine milk lacks the diversity of HMOs. Efforts have been made to replicate this characteristic in infant formula through chemical and chemoenzymatic synthesis as well as microbial production. Utilizing microbial hosts appears to be more favourable due to its accessibility and cost-efficiency. Escherichia coli has been preferably used due to its high incorporation of DNA, high-level expression capability, and rapid growth. However, potential endotoxin contamination raises health concerns and prevents approval as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. This prompts the use of other microbes such as Bacillus subtilis. Future research in this area is needed to optimize effective procedures using microbial hosts, high yield production, and economic feasibility. This may lead to infant formulas closely mimicking HBM and its health benefits.