Early Introduction Of Complementary Foods Research Articles

«Perinatal portrait», reproductive health parameters and risk factors for fat metabolism disorders in young overweight women

Overweight and obesity are one of the most serious social and medical problems today. It is appropriate to single out a special category of young women aged 18–35 years with excessive body weight, that is, the age which is capable of ensuring the reproductive potential of the future.The objective: to determine the probable factors of metabolic imbalance and the main parameters of reproductive health disorders in young overweight women.Materials and methods. Reproductive health parameters and the main predictors of its impairment were evaluated in two groups of patients – the main group (890 women with BMI > 25.0 kg/m2) and a control group (40 patients with BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2).The main group was divided into two subgroups taking into account the age of formation of overweight and obesity: I subgroup – 596 women with pubertal obesity (66.9%) and II subgroup – 294 women with overweight in the postpubertal period (33.1%).Results. A high rate of pregnancy complications (86.9%), gestational diabetes (25.8%), preeclampsia (34.1%), premature birth and low birth weight fetus (20.9%), as well as the birth of a girl with a large body weight (24.4%), can become modified factors in the formation of the reproductive system according to the characteristics of the “perinatal portrait” and form the basis of screening programs. The relationship between the early introduction of complementary foods and the absence of breastfeeding and the presence of obesity in the girl in the future was established (OR=7.25; 95% CI: 2.99–17.59; χ2=23.53, p<0.0001).Attention should be paid to reproductive function disorders: amenorrhea was found 1.7 times more often in the case of postpubertal obesity, as well as abnormal uterine bleeding or metrorrhagia, infertility (24.4%), dyshormonal breast diseases (34.7%), polycystic ovary syndrome (59.8%), proliferative processes of the endometrium and myometrium (34.7%), as well as the formation of endometrial hyperplasia and polyposis with age (25.8%).A high percentage of stressogenic factors was determined in the examined cohort of patients, which could initiate the manifestation of metabolic and endocrine disorders in 569 cases – 63.9% (OR=4.14; 95% CI: 2.07–8.25; χ2=17.38, p<0.0001).Conclusions. Probable predictors of impaired fat metabolism in young women were statistically identified: heredity from the mothers of such patients regarding metabolic and endocrine disorders, body weight at birth more than 4000 g and artificial feeding, early age of menarche, pubertal paratrophy, stress factors, infectious diseases during menarche, hypodynamia and a high level of intellectual differentiation.The reproductive health of women with overweight and obesity is characterized by a high frequency of menstrual cycle disorders, increased manifestations of changes in the vaginal microbiome and dysuric symptoms, as well as infertility, hormone-dependent diseases, and impaired reproductive function.

Infant feeding practices and risk of preschool obesity in AlAin, UAE: A cross-sectional study

Early childhood obesity is serious public health problem, and poses a risk of obesity in later life. The study aimed to investigate whether infant feeding affects risk of overweight and obesity in preschool children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study was carried out. Data was collected in a kindergarten in Al Ain, UAE. One hundred and fifty parents and preschool children aged 2 to 6 years participated in the study. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to investigate associations. A longer duration of breastfeeding and later introduction of complementary foods were associated with a lower BMI z-score in preschool children. Each month of any breastfeeding was associated with a lower BMI z-score in the unadjusted model (β = -0.03; 95% CI -0.05, -0.01; p = 0.01), and each month increase in the age of introducing complementary foods was associated with a lower BMI z-score in the unadjusted model (β = -0.43; 95% CI: -0.60 to—0.027; p<0.001). These associations remained after adjustment for potential confounding factors (age, sex, maternal BMI, maternal education level, mother’s age, social class, father’s BMI) for duration of breastfeedinig (β = -0.02; 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.00; p<0.001) and age of complementary feeding (β = -0.39; 95% CI: -0.57 to—0.21; p<0.001). Poor infant feeding practices (shorter duration of breastfeedinig and early introduction of complementary foods) were found to be associated with higher BMI in preschool children. Promoting appropriate proper infant feeding practices in line with recommendations could be one strategy to help prevent childhood obesity in the UAE.

Skin care interventions and early complementary food introduction for the prevention of atopic dermatitis in infants

аtopic dermatitis and food allergy are common diseases that usually begin in early childhood and can occur together in the same individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of interventions such as skin care products for the skin barrier improvement, breastfeeding and early complementary foods introduction for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis and food allergy in infants by building logistic regression models. We performed a survey of 97 parents of children. The survey was conducted with the help of Google forms and distributed on the Internet. Method of building and analysing logistic regression models was used to analyse the association of the risk of atopic dermatitis in children with the factor characteristics. Characteristics were as follows: "Skin care 1: application moisturizers to the infant's skin", "Skin care 2: bathing infants with water containing moisturizing substances or moisturizing oils", "Skin care 3: usage of less soap, bathing the child less often", "paternal history of atopy", "duration of breastfeeding less than 1 year", "early introduction of supplementary food (up to the 6th month of life)". We obtained the following results: 42.2% of respondents reported about the application of moisturizing cream, parents of 16.5% of children were using moisturizing oil for bathing the child, 12.4% of parents used less soap and bathed the child less often, 28.9% reported that they were not using any interventions. It was established that when applying care method 1, namely applying moisturizing agents to the infant’s skin, the risk of developing atopic dermatitis increases, OR=12.8 (95% CI 3.89 - 42.3) (p<0.0001). When constructing a three-factor logistic regression model for predicting the risk of food allergy, no dependence was found between the development of food allergy and the presence of allergic diseases in parents, the period of introduction of complementary foods, and the duration of breastfeeding. Thus, this study did not reveal the protective role of skin care products, breastfeeding, and early introduction of complementary foods for the development of atopic dermatitis and food allergies in children. Multivariate analysis showed that atopic dermatitis is associated with emollients application to the infant’s skin. The use of moisturizing creams for the treatment of already existing atopic dermatitis or the path of percutaneous sensitization to allergens could have influenced the data.

Exploratory analysis of factors that influence maternal deviation from prenatal infant feeding plans: A research brief

AimThe purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with maternal deviation from prenatal infant feeding plans. BackgroundInfant feeding practices influence infant growth and development, thus, having long term implications for child health. Literature suggests that, prenatally, mothers plan to breastfeed, however, breastfeeding rates remain low, additionally, early introduction of complementary foods (CF) is common. Understanding the discrepancy between high maternal intentions for breastfeeding yet low breastfeeding practices and early CF introduction is needed. MethodsThis descriptive study recruited first-time mothers and their infants (N = 33) from the community; pre-pregnancy height and weight, demographics, and infant feeding plans (breast/formula feeding; CF introduction age) were collected in the third trimester. Four months after birth, infant feeding practices were collected. Prenatal plans and practices at 4 months were compared and dichotomized into a yes/no variable. Bivariate analyses were conducted. ResultsAlmost half (46 %) of mothers deviated from their prenatal infant feeding plans. Analyses reveal that mothers with a higher BMI were more likely to deviate from their prenatal feeding intentions when compared to mothers with a lower BMI (Mdn = 29.82 vs Mdn = 24.2, p = 0.05, r = 0.34). Though not significant, maternal race/ethnicity, marital status, and employment status are important variables to consider in future work. ConclusionThe finding that women with a higher BMI are more likely to deviate from their prenatal infant feeding intentions is consistent with prior research. Future research should focus on the reason this difference exists. Additionally, reasons for deviation should be explored in a larger, more diverse sample.

THE ROLE OF SKIN CARE PRODUCTS AND EARLY FOOD FOR THE PREVENTION OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN INFANTS

The aim of the study
 The aim of this study was to assess the value of interventions aimed at improving the skin barrier and skin care products, as well as breastfeeding and early introduction of complementary foods, for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy in infants.
 Materials and methods
 We started a survey in the period from May 2022, which continues to this day. The survey was conducted with the help of Google forms and distributed on the Internet, as well as parents of children who applied for help at Kyiv children’s clinical hospital No. 2 and MC "Allergolog" were interviewed. The relationship between intervention methods and the development of AD and food allergy was determined using the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).
 Results
 According to the survey data, 42,2% of children received moisturizing cream, parents of 16,5% of children reported using moisturizing oil for bathing the child, 12,4% of parents used less soap and bathed the child less often, 28,9% reported that they did not use none of these methods and means of care.
 AD occurred in 23,7% of children interviewed. The odds ratio for the moisturizing cream group was 68,6 (CI 3,9-1201,5), p=0,004, for the groups that used moisturizing oils for bathing – 8,9 (CI 0,4-197,6), p= 0,17, for the group where the intervention was a reduction in bathing and using soap – 7,1 (CI 0,3-186,0), p=0,24.
 18,6% of respondents reported a reaction to food that occurred in the child within 2 hours after consumption. We have not found any role of emollients (OR=1,4, CI 0,4-4,9), p=0,56, moisturizing oils for bathing (OR=0,3, CI 0,03-2,6), p=0,27, and reduced use of soap and water (OR=1,4 (CI 0,3-7,2), p=0,66 for the development of food allergy.
 The duration of breastfeeding (more than 3 months) did not affect the risk of developing AD (OR = 0,1, CI 0,01-2,6), p = 0,19, or food allergy (OR = 1,3, CI 0,3-6,9), p=0,74. Also, the role of earlier introduction of supplementary food on the development of AD and food allergy was not shown: the OR for AD was 0,9 (CI 0,3-2,7), p=0,8, the OR for food allergy was 0,8 (CI 0,2- 2,9), p=0,76.
 Conclusions
 This study did not reveal the protective role of skin care products, breastfeeding, and early introduction of complementary foods for the development of AD and food allergies in children. A larger survey will allow us to study the effect of emollients and other preventive measures on the development of food allergies in a group of children with AD.

Influence of grandmothers on breastfeeding practices in a rural community in Papua New Guinea: A critical discourse analysis of first-time mothers’ perspectives

BackgroundAlmost all babies are breastfed in Papua New Guinea (PNG); yet appropriate breastfeeding practices are not always followed. AimTo explore the perspectives of first-time mothers in rural PNG on how the language and discourse of grandmothers about infant feeding influence their breastfeeding practices. MethodsA critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach was used to theoretically frame the analysis of twenty first-time mothers’ narratives. FindingsAnalysis revealed three themes: (i) prescribed knowledge repository, (ii) social control and dominance, and (iii) disapproval and role conflict, which provides an understanding of grandmothers’ differing views and positions on infant feeding practices and their influence on breastfeeding. ConclusionThis study shows that grandmothers remain influential in infant feeding practices in rural PNG. There appears to be a societal expectation that empowers grandmothers in the maternal decision-making processes regarding breastfeeding practice. Grandmothers’ influence includes the early introduction of complementary foods to infants less than six months old. Interventions aimed at promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding need to include grandmothers.

Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding for Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Cessation of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) with early introduction of complementary food provides additional calories for catch-up growth but may also increase the risk of adverse outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess effects of exclusive breastfeeding for less than 6 months compared with 6 months in preterm and low birth weight infants. Data sources include Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Index Medicus through June 30, 2021. Study selection includes randomized trials and observational studies. Primary outcomes were mortality, morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment. Data were extracted and pooled using random-effects models. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. A total of 2 studies of 307 preterm or low birth weight infants were included. None of the study results could be pooled. Both studies compared EBF for 4 months to 6 months. Growth was similar between the 4-month and 6-month EBF groups for the following outcomes: weight-for-age z-score at corrected age 12 months (mean [standard deviation], 4-month group: -1.7 [1.1], 6-month group: -1.8 [1.2], 1 study, 188 participants, low certainty evidence), absolute weight gain (gram) from 16 to 26 weeks of age (4-month group: 1004 [366], 6-month group: 1017 [350], 1 study, 119 participants, very low certainty evidence), and linear growth gain (cm) from 16 to 26 weeks of age (4-month group: 4.3 [0.9], 6-month group: 4.5 [1.2], 1 study, 119 participants, very low certainty evidence). There were no apparent differences in reported morbidity symptoms. No difference in the timing to achieve motor development milestones between the 2 groups was found (1 study; 119 participants, very low certainty evidence). A limited number of studies prevented data pooling. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of exclusive breastfeeding for less than 6 months for preterm and low birth weight infants. Further studies are warranted to better answer this question.

Feeding Patterns, Mother-Child Dietary Diversity and Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Retrospective Recall

BackgroundDespite demonstrated benefits, most countries fall short of meeting international targets for breastfeeding patterns, optimal complementary feeding, mother-children's quality diet, and malnutrition among under-five children.RationaleSince mothers usually play the most vital role in the healthcare of their children, research is needed to illuminate maternal factors that might promote a child's health and nutritional status.AimThe purpose of this study is to retrospectively (1) examine the under-five children's (0–59 months) feeding habits including exclusive breastfeeding, exclusive bottle feeding, continued breastfeeding, and complementary feedings, (2) investigate the mother-child's dietary diversity, and (3) identify any factors that cause less optimal nutrition due to a lack of food diversity in children aged 6 to 59 months. Moreover, (4) the prevalence of wasting, stunting, underweight, and overweight in the under-five offspring living in households located in the main two provinces in Lebanon (Beirut and Mount Lebanon) was determined.MethodsThe data for this analysis were collected from a representative sample of 384 households [384 mothers (21–49 years old) and children (0–59 months)] between February 2019 and June 2019. A questionnaire was used to inquire mothers of children ages 0–23 months about exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), continuous breastfeeding (CBF), exclusive bottle feeding (EBOT), mixed feeding (MF), and complementary feeding patterns. Moreover, additional questions regarding dietary diversity were asked to mothers of children aged 6 to 59 months. This score was calculated based on the 24 h recall of the mother and her child's consumption of 7 food groups, during the 24 h prior to the survey. Moreover, stunting, wasting, overweight, and underweight were calculated using the z-score for height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and weight-for-age (WAZ), respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the dietary diversity among children (ages 6–59 months) adjusting for covariates at maternal and household levels.ResultsAround 44% of children (0–59 months) had normal body weight. In addition, 9.3% were underweight (WAZ < -2SD to −3SD), 6.5% were at risk of being overweight, 24.45% were overweight, 9.3% were stunted (HAZ < -2SD to −3SD), and 6.25% (WHZ < -2SD to −3SD) were wasted. In total, among under-five children, the prevalence of EBF at 40 d and 6 months was 27 and 30%, respectively. The prevalence of CBF was 23%. Around 60% of mothers breastfed their offspring between 0 and 6 months and half of them introduced infant formula at earlier stages between 0–6 months. Furthermore, 78.4% of mothers introduced food to their children between 4 and 6 months (of which 40% before 6 months) and 62.5% of them introduced sugary drinks before 6 months. As for dietary diversity (DD), one out of two mothers and one out of three children (ages 6–59 months) had a low DD score (DDS) (46 and 32%, respectively). The children's and mother's DD were strongly found to be correlated (p-value = 0.034). Regression analysis showed that children's DD increased around 2 times [AOR = 1.7; 95% CI (1.042–2.914)] in context of high maternal DDS, and about 12 times [AOR = 11.7; 95% CI (1.2–111)] when a member of the highest-income households.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated low rates of EBF and CBF, high prevalence of EBOT, and early introduction of complementary foods among children ages 0–59 months. Furthermore, for children ages 6–59 months, there was poor mother-child dietary diversity and a high prevalence of overweight and stunted children in the main two Lebanese provinces. This suggests the alarming need for continuous nutrition intervention to improve infant feeding patterns and dietary diversity to reduce the malnutrition rates.

Early introduction of complementary foods in infants under six months: a case study from Rio Verde, Brazil

Early introduction of complementary foods in infants under six months: a case study from Rio Verde, Brazil

Timing of food introduction to the infant diet and risk of food allergy: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the timing of complementary feeding for infants and the occurrence of food allergy. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WanFang Data database were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effects of early introduction of complementary foods in infants on the occurrence of food allergy. Papers published from the establishment of the databases to December 31, 2019 were extracted. The quality of the selected literature was evaluated using the risk-of-bias (ROB) tools in the Cochrane Handbook, and the RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. For the complementary food analyzed in a few reports in literature, a systematic review was conducted. Results: A total of 8 RCTs were extracted, and the systematic review and Meta-analysis were carried out according to food types. The results of Meta-analysis showed that compared with late introduction (after 6 months of age), early introduction (before 6 months of age) of eggs (RR=0.60, 95%CI 0.46-0.79) could reduce the risk of egg allergy in infants. The subgroup analysis of the six studies about eggs demonstrated that in infants with a prior or family history of allergic diseases, the introduction of eggs before 6 months of age was associated with reduced risk of egg allergy (RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.40-0.75), and the introduction of raw eggs (RR=0.67, 95%CI 0.49-0.93) and small amount of eggs (equivalent to weekly protein 0-4 g) (RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.36-0.85) before 6 months of age were also associated with reduced risk of egg allergy. In addition, egg supplementation during 4-6 months of age reduced the occurrence of egg allergy compared with supplementation before 4 months of age (RR=0.58, 95%CI 0.43-0.78). The systematic review found no conclusive relationship between early peanut introduction and peanut allergy, nor the correlation between early cow's milk protein introduction and cow's milk protein allergy (P>0.05). Conclusion: Early introduction (before 6 months of age) of eggs in infants' complementary foods can prevent infant egg allergy, but the limitations of the study need to be considered.

Effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children aged 6-24 months in urban Moshi, Northern Tanzania: Cohort study.

IntroductionChildhood undernutrition is a major public health problem especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The prevalence of early introduction of complementary feeding, low meal frequency, and low dietary diversity are frequent in LMICs. The effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children is not well documented in East African countries including Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children aged 6–24 months in urban Moshi, Tanzania.MethodologyA retrospective cohort study was done using the Pasua and Majengo cohorts of mother-child pairs in urban Moshi who were enrolled from 2002 to 2017. About 3355 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Appropriate complementary feeding practices were assessed using WHO IYFP indicators such as age at introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum meal frequency. Nutritional status (stunting, wasting, and underweight) was determined. Multilevel modeling was applied to obtain the effect of inappropriate complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children and to account for the clustering effect of mothers and children and the correlation of repeated measures within each child.ResultsMajority of the children (91.2%) were given soft/semi-solid/solid foods before six months of age, 40.3percent had low meal frequency, and 74percent had low dietary diversity. Early introduction of complementary food at age 0–1 month was statistically significantly associated with higher risks of wasting and underweight (ARR 2.9, 95%CI 1.3–6.3; and ARR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3–5.1 respectively). Children with low minimum meal frequency had higher risks of stunting, wasting, and underweight (ARR 2.9, 95%CI 2.3–3.6; ARR 1.9, 95%CI 1.5–2.5 and ARR 1.9, 95%CI 1.5–2.4 respectively). Children with low minimum dietary diversity were more likely to be stunted than is the case with their peers who received the minimum dietary diversity (ARR 1.3, 95% CI 1.01–1.6).ConclusionThere were a high proportion of children, which were fed inappropriately; Inappropriate complementary feeding practices predisposed children to undernutrition. Our study supports the introduction of complementary feeding, providing minimum dietary diversity, and minimum feeding frequency at six months of age as important in improving the nutritional status of the children.

Climatic Conditions and Infant Care: Implications for Child Nutrition in Rural Ethiopia.

We examine the relationships between climatic conditions, breastfeeding behavior, and maternal time use in Ethiopia. Infant feeding practices are important predictors of child nutrition that may be affected by a number of factors including mother's time engaging in agricultural labor, food security, cultural beliefs, and antenatal care. We use panel data from the Living Standards Measurement Study to investigate linkages between climatic conditions during a child's first year of life and year prior to birth and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. We then explore one potential mechanism: women's agricultural labor. Results indicate that rainfall during the primary agricultural season-kiremt-in a child's first year of life plays an important role in duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Experiencing 25 cm of average monthly kiremt rainfall, versus 5 cm, is associated with a 20-percentage-point decrease in the likelihood of being exclusively breastfed for the recommended six months. More kiremt rainfall is associated with a greater number of days that women spend planting and harvesting, and at high levels of rainfall women with infants do not engage in significantly fewer days of agricultural labor than those without infants. Lastly, we find that during the year before birth, greater rainfall during kiremt as well as the dry season is associated with a lower likelihood of six months of exclusive breastfeeding, potentially due to the early introduction of complementary foods. Our findings indicate that agricultural labor demands may in part drive breastfeeding behaviors, leading to "sub-optimal" feeding practices in the short-term, but resulting in improved household food security in the longer-term.

Family-centered lactation counseling and breastfeeding in preterm infants upon neonatal intensive care discharge

Background: There is great variability in breastfeeding implications upon neonatal intensive care unit discharge for preterm infants. Aims and Objectives: To examine the breastfeeding rates and the impact of lactation-counseling on the nutrition following hospital discharge in preterm infants. Materials and Methods: A three-page survey was applied to the families of infants of gestational age ≤34 weeks who were hospitalized between 2016-2018. Exclusion criteria were family reluctance to consent, foster-care placement, acquiring enteral feeding by orogastric tube/gastrostomy. The group categorization was based on lactation-counselling that involved both parents and elderly relatives who would assist the mother at neonatal care. Statistics were performed using SPSS-22 for covariates of neonatal intensive care interventions and post-discharge nutrition. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding was 49.2% at hospital-discharge and declined to 31.3% at six months. Early introduction of complementary foods was 51.1%. Total duration of breastfeeding was 7.38±3.98 months. Lactation-counseling prolonged breastfeeding duration to 8.47±3.87 months. The program presented the highest odds of extending breastfeeding interventions beyond six months (OR: 2.183, 95% CI: 1.354–3.520). It favored the outcomes by reducing the introduction of formulas and complementary foods before six months (P = 0.044, P = 0.018). The physical contribution of the father towards nutrition was the most significant benefit claimed by the participants. (71.6 versus 51.8%). Conclusion: Family-centered peer lactation-counseling by the medical staff and increasing awareness for infant nutrition are promising local strategies in reaching the goals of national nutrition policies guided by the international recommendations in preterm infants.

Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods - United States, 2016-2018.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends introducing complementary foods (i.e., any solid or liquid other than breast milk or infant formula) to infants at approximately age 6 months (1). Although a consensus on ideal timing is lacking, most experts agree that introduction of complementary foods before age 4 months is too early because of infant gastrointestinal and motor immaturity (1,2). In addition, early introduction prevents exclusively breastfed infants from reaching the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (1) and might be associated with increased risk for overweight and obesity (3). Nationally representative data on complementary feeding are limited; state-level estimates have been previously unavailable. CDC analyzed 2016-2018 data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) (N = 23,927) to describe timing of complementary feeding introduction and prevalence of early introduction of complementary foods before age 4 months (early introduction) among children aged 1-5 years. Prevalence of early introduction was 31.9% nationally and varied geographically and across sociodemographic and infant feeding characteristics. These estimates suggest that many infants are introduced to complementary foods before they are developmentally ready. Efforts by health care providers and others who might influence infant feeding practices could help decrease the number of infants who are introduced to complementary foods too early.

Fermented sorghum porridge fortified with moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp cured children from moderate acute malnutrition in Benin

Inappropriate feeding, too early introduction of complementary foods and restriction in food selection are a major cause of malnutrition among young children in developing countries. Food-to-food fortification is a good strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of children’s diet. This strategy is more and more promoted because it allows delivery of micronutrients to a large population in a cost-effective manner.The present study aimed at testing the effect of the consumption of sorghum porridge fortified with moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp on the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in Northern Benin. A two-week intervention was implemented in Tanguiéta (Benin) among children affected by moderate acute malnutrition, using 400g of fermented sorghum porridge fortified with15g of a designed mix of moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp. Sixty-three children aged 6–59 months who had malnutrition assessed by anthropometry were randomly selected and assigned to a treatment or a control group. Children in the treatment group consumed the fortified formula daily for two weeks in a nutritional rehabilitation hearth whereas those in the control group had their habitual diet. Their nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometry. Recovery rate and average weight gain of children were computed.Results show that daily consumption of the fortified food for two weeks did not significantly (P&gt; 0.05) increase children’s weight in treatment vs. control. However, average weight gain was 9.85g/kg/day in the treatment group and total recovery rate at risk of malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition was 62.50% among children who fully complied with the intervention. Fermented sorghum porridge fortified with moringa leaf powder and baobab fruit pulp may be promoted to scale in more regions of Benin as a local affordable and effective therapeutic food against child acute malnutrition. Further investigation of its potential effect while accounting for parasitic infection is needed, to eliminate all risks of intestinal micro nutrient malabsorption or malaria and enhance the effectiveness of the fortified food on children’s weight as well as their iron status.

Prevention of Food Allergy: early introduction of complementary food and oral immune tolerance

Prevention of Food Allergy: early introduction of complementary food and oral immune tolerance

Modelling for The Risk Factors Early Introduction to Complementary Food for A Baby Under Six Months Old in the Working Area of Kambaniru Public Health Center in East Sumba Districts

Complementary foods are foods/drinks that were given to complement breastfeeding in order to fulfil the nutritional of baby from 6-24 months old. However, have been given to several babies under six months which may increase the mortality risk. Early introduction of complementary foods to the baby are influenced by factors education, occupation, income, tradition, myths, familial support, and knowledge. This study aims to analyze the factors that resulted in the early introduction to complementary foods in the working area of Kambaniru Public Health Center. This was an observational analytic study with cross sectional design. The samples were 89 mothers. Partial correlation between the risk factor was analyzed using the simple logistic regression test, while the modelling for the risk factors was analyzed using the multiple logistic regression test. The result showed that there were 51.7% of the mothers that gave an early complementary foods to the babies, there was a correlation between knowledge (p=0.000), income (p=0.026), myths (p=0.016) and familial support (p=0.000), while education (p=0.089), occupation (p=0.0307) and tradition (p=0.374) did not correlate. The conclusion of this study was that familial support and knowledge factors were the models to predict the early introduction to complementary food with 44.2% contributing factors.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: complementary foods; familial support; knowledge; myths; tradition

Primary Prevention of Allergic Diseases: The Role of Early Exposure to Cow's Milk Formula.

The burden of atopic disorders is continuously worsening worldwide, especially in childhood. Therefore, risk factors and preventive measures have been called into question. The age when infants introduce complementary foods, varies greatly according to traditional habits, clinical practice recommendations, and breastfeeding duration. It is still debated the impact of early exposure to cow's milk on the increase of allergic diseases, mainly food allergy, and atopic dermatitis. Many factors may play a role in this potential link, such as genetic variation, parental atopy, infant feeding regimens. Recent evidences suggest that the early introduction of complementary foods (up to 6 months of age), including cow's milk, could prevent the development of food allergies. So, several countries included this new approach into feeding guidelines. Our review will focus on the influence of early exposure to cow's milk formula on the development of allergic diseases. Some trials found that cow's milk supplementation in the first days of life could even increase the development of IgE sensitization and food allergies. Other trials did not show any efficacy on prevention of allergic disorders. Further studies are needed to understand the prospective for allergy prevention related to optimal timing of cow's milk formula introduction.

Early introduction of complementary food and childhood stunting were linked among children aged 6-23 months

Background: Indonesia’s national stunting prevalence remains high. The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to poor complementary feeding practices may put infants at higher risk of becoming stunting. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the early introduction of complementary food and stunting among young children aged 6-23 months in Kebumen Regency. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 307 young children in Kebumen Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia, by using multistage cluster sampling. Our primary outcome was stunting or height-for-age z-score &lt;-2, whereas independent variables were child, maternal, and household factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to assess significant determinants at the level of significance 0.05. Results: Timely introduction of complementary food was a protective factor against stunting (AOR= 0.54; 95%CI: 0.31-0.94). Female children were less likely to be associated with stunting (AOR= 0.54; 95%CI: 0.32-0.93). Conversely, variables which significantly increased the risk of becoming stunting included older children aged 12-17 months (AOR= 2.01; 95%CI: 1.05-3.84) and 18-23 months (AOR= 4.17; 95%CI: 2.15-8.08) and maternal occupation in agricultural sectors (AOR= 3.77; 95%CI: 1.17-12.1). Conclusions: Child factors associated with stunting was the first timing of complementary feeding, child sex, and child age. The maternal factor linked to stunting was the mother's occupation in the agricultural sector. This study indicated that child and maternal factors play essential roles in childhood stunting.

Promoting Sustained and Exclusive Breastfeeding among Chinese American Pregnant Women

This study investigated prenatal goal setting and breastfeeding attitudes and intentions for 210 Chinese American pregnant women. In addition, this study assessed impact of person-centered versus factual messages on breastfeeding attitudes and intentions. While pregnant women reported receiving information about Baby-Friendly designated hospitals from healthcare providers, most received no breastfeeding information from those same providers. Although women had positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, they showed lack of knowledge about colostrum, general approval for using infant formula, as well as early introduction of complementary foods. By extension, these attitudes suggested they misunderstood the meaning of exclusive breastfeeding. No differences were observed based on parity, trimester of pregnancy, level of education or income. Person-centered and factual messages were judged as equally effective messages, but intention to breastfeed was more affected by the factual message. Reasons for this result are discussed. Healthcare providers are positioned to proactively engage in maternal preparedness for exclusive breastfeeding. These results suggested a missed opportunity for healthcare providers to communicate the value of sustained exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended first 6 months of an infant’s life and underscore a need for all antenatal healthcare providers to collaboratively ensure that breastfeeding information is comprehensively provided throughout the span of antenatal care.