Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS) values in presumed healthy European infants aged 6-12 months: a cross-sectional study.

The Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS) is an awareness tool for evaluating cow's milk-related symptoms. Previous studies have focused on providing CoMiSS values for healthy and symptomatic infants aged 0-6 months. However, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning CoMiSS values for infants older than 6 months. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine CoMiSS values in presumed healthy infants who have completed 6 months and are up to 12 months old, hereafter referred to as 6 to 12 months old. Physicians from six European countries prospectively determined CoMiSS values in infants attending well-child clinics. Exclusion criteria included preterm delivery, acute or chronic disease, and the consumption of a therapeutic formula, dietary supplements (except vitamins), or medication. The following information was collected: gestational age, gender, age, type of feed (breast milk or infant formula), and complementary feeding. Descriptive statistics were summarized with mean and standard deviation for normally distributed continuous variables, median and IQR for non-normally distributed variables, and differences in CoMiSS values were analyzed with appropriate tests. Data from 609 infants were obtained. The overall median (Q1-Q3) CoMiSS values were 3 (1-5). Significant differences were found across age groups (p < 0.001), but not across groups based on gender (p = 0.551) or feeding type (p = 0.880).   Conclusions: This study provided CoMiSS values in presumed healthy infants aged 6-12 months. Additional studies should be conducted to establish the use of CoMiSS to assess cow's milk-related symptoms in infants 6 months and older. What is Known: • The Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS) is an awareness tool for evaluating symptoms related to cow's milk. • CoMiSS values for presumed healthy infants aged 0-6 months infants are already available. What is New: • CoMiSS values in European infants aged 6-12 months are provided. • These CoMiSS values differed across various age groups but not across groups based on gender or feeding type.

Early Introduction of Novel and Less-Studied Food Allergens in the Plant-Based Era: Considerations for US and EU Infant Formula Regulations.

Early life feeding practices may affect the long-term health of individuals, particularly in terms of the development of non-communicable diseases, such as metabolic and allergic diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that the interplay of breastfeeding and/or formula feeding followed by the introduction of solids plays a role in the occurrence of non-communicable diseases both in the short and long term. International food allergy guidelines recommend that breastfeeding women do not need to avoid food allergens and do not recommend any infant formula for allergy prevention. Guidelines regarding solid food introduction for food allergy prevention recommend the introduction of well-cooked eggs and peanuts around 4-6 months of age, and not to delay the introduction of other food allergens. There is also an increasing trend to feed infants a plant-based or plant-forward diet and have access to infant formulas based on plant-based ingredients. The use of novel plant-based infant formulas raises a few questions reviewed in this paper: (1) Do fortified, plant-based infant formulas, compliant with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (European) guidelines, support adequate infant growth? (2) Are plant-based infant formulas suitable for the management of cow's milk allergy? (3) Does feeding with novel, plant-based infant formulas increase the risk of food allergies to the food allergens they contain? (4) Does feeding infants plant-based food allergens in early life increase the risk of allergic and severe allergic reactions? The review of the literature indicated that (1) plant-based formulas supplemented with amino acids and micronutrients to comply with FDA regulations and EFSA guidelines, evaluated in sufficiently powered growth studies, can support adequate growth in infants; (2) currently available plant-based infant formulas are suitable for the management of CMA; (3) an early introduction and continuous intake of food allergens are more likely to prevent food allergies than to increase their risk; and (4) an early introduction of food allergens in young infants is safe.

ESPEN guideline on Clinical Nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease.

The present guideline is an update and extension of the ESPEN scientific guideline on Clinical Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease published first in 2017. The guideline has been rearranged according to the ESPEN practical guideline on Clinical Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease published in 2020. All recommendations have been checked and, if needed, revised based on new literature, before they underwent the ESPEN consensus procedure. Moreover, a new chapter on microbiota modulation as a new option in IBD treatment has been added. The number of recommendations has been increased to 71 recommendations in the guideline update. The guideline is aimed at professionals working in clinical practice, either in hospitals or in outpatient medicine, and treating patients with IBD. General aspects of care in patients with IBD, and specific aspects during active disease and in remission are addressed. All recommendations are equipped with evidence grades, consensus rates, short commentaries and links to cited literature.

The Effect of a Nutritional Supplement on Growth and Body Composition in Short and Lean Preadolescent Boys following One Year of Intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate nutrition plays an important role in linear growth throughout childhood, including puberty. However, not all children are willing or able to consume an adequate and balanced diet daily. We aimed to evaluate the 1-year effectiveness and safety of nutritional supplementation on linear growth, weight gain, and changes in body composition in short and lean peripubertal boys. METHODS: A 1-year, 2-phase multicenter interventional study comprising 1-6 months of a double-blinded intervention with nutritional formula or placebo, followed by 6-12 months of an open-label extension with the nutritional formula for all participants. RESULTS: The outcomes of the double-blinded intervention were reported previously. A total of 79/98 (81%) boys, aged ≥10 years, Tanner stages 1-3, completed the open-labeled extension phase. For this phase, a significant dose-response correlation (p < 0.05) was found of the consumption of the formula with Δ height-SDS, Δ weight-SDS, and Δ muscle mass (crude correlations and after adjustment for baseline age and end-of-study Tanner stage). In the extension phase and in the 12-month analysis, participants who were good formula consumers (intake ≥50% of the recommended dose) maintained their height-SDS, while poor consumers had a significant decline in their height-SDS (p = 0.028 and p = 0.009, between group difference in the extension phase and 12-month analysis, respectively). Between-group differences were not observed in the Tanner stage at any point of the study. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention in healthy peripubertal boys suggests that 1-year consumption of a multi-nutrient, protein-rich nutritional supplement is efficacious and safe. The induced changes in growth and body composition, although modest, may be clinically significant. The effect of the formula on growth parameters was not mediated by enhancement of the pubertal tempo.

Protein intake pattern in non-breastfed infants and toddlers: A survey in a nationally representative sample of French children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Protein intake plays a key role in infants and children's growth, but high protein intake may have adverse long-term effects. Data on actual intakes in various populations are scarce. The aims of this study were (i) to assess daily protein intake (DPI) in non-breastfed infants and children aged 0.5-35 months in comparison with the population reference intake (PRI) set by the European Food Safety Authority, and to examine (ii) the various sources of this intake and their consumption patterns, and (iii) time-related changes in DPI over the last 4 decades. METHODS: Data from the Nutri-Bébé cross-sectional survey were used to assess DPI, DPI/kg BW and the protein-energy ratio (E%) by age group. The amounts and quality of each food consumed were recorded over three non-consecutive days and validated by two face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Overall, this study included 1035 children. Median DPI were consistently above the PRI, reaching 4 times PRI in the older toddlers (41.4 g/d; range 15.1-64.0). Regardless of age, more than 95% of children had a DPI/kg BW above the PRI. Protein intake remained below 14 E% until 6 months of age and increased thereafter from 10% to 75% in children older than one year. Overall, DPI gradually decreased from 1981 to 2013. Milk and dairy products were the main contributors to DPI up to 2 years, while the share of other animal sources became predominant later. Plant contribution remained below 25% of DPI. CONCLUSION: Despite a gradual decrease over the last few decades, DPI have remained well above the PRI. As the predominant contributors to these intakes are animal sources, the potential long term health consequences of such high intake deserve consideration. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT03327415 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Effect of a nutritional supplementation on growth and body composition in short and lean preadolescent boys: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight and body composition in short and lean male preadolescents. METHODS: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of nutritional supplementation of short and lean prepubertal 10-14.5-year-old boys. Primary outcomes included Δheight-SDS and Δweight-SDS. Secondary outcomes included changes in body composition and BMI-SDS. RESULTS: Of 160 boys enrolled, 126 (80%) completed 6 months' intervention. Baseline age, height-SDS, weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, body composition and dietary intake were similar in the formula and placebo groups. 'Good' formula consumers (intake of ≥50% of the recommended dose, n = 30) gained significantly more in weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, fat-free-mass and muscle mass (p < 0.05) than did 'poor' consumers (n = 35) and the placebo group (n = 61). Only in the formula group, positive dose-response correlations were found between consumption of the formula and changes in the outcome parameters examined, including Δheight-SDS (r = 0.301, p = 0.015). Boys aged >11.4 years who were 'good' formula consumers maintained their Δheight-SDS, while Δheight-SDS declined in 'poor' consumers and the placebo group of the same age (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Intervention with a multi-nutrient, protein-rich formula was effective in increasing weight-SDS, fat-free-mass, muscle mass and BMI-SDS in short and lean prepubertal male adolescents. Good consumption of the formula prevented Δheight-SDS decline in the older participants.

The role of milk feeds and other dietary supplementary interventions in preventing allergic disease in infants: Fact or fiction?

Exclusive breastfeeding ideally up to 6 months of life is the feed of choice for infants and should be promoted by healthcare professionals. However, when human milk is not sufficient or not available, infant formula, generally cow's milk-based, meeting strictly regulated nutritional and safety requirements, are recommended. Human breastmilk feeding has a positive health impact for both mother and child, but there is limited evidence that it has a long-term protective effect on the development of allergic disease. Some studies have found an association of an increased risk to develop cow's milk allergy with early exposure to cow's milk protein in formula milk. As a result, over the last 30 years, partially hydrolyzed formulas (pHF) have gained popularity and, more recently, become embroiled in a debate about their role in the primary prevention of allergic outcomes. Similar debates exist in regards to the potential preventative effects of pre-, pro- and synbiotics as well as nutritional factors, notably vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. This paper aims to critically address these aspects, drawing information from published data interpreted by an international expert group in paediatrics, allergy, gastro-intestinal diseases and nutrition. This group of experts emphasize that human milk is the optimal source of infant nutrition. With regards to pHFs, whilst no harm has been shown with their use and some studies have suggested potential benefit preventing atopic dermatitis in at risk infants, there is insufficient evidence for or against their routine recommendation for primary allergy prevention. The method of hydrolysation differs for every formula. There is insufficient evidence to recommend supplementation with vitamin D, omega-3 LCPUFA, specific prebiotic oligosaccharides or specific probiotic strains during pregnancy, lactation and early life to prevent the development of allergic disease in children. There remains a need for well-designed trials with the currently commercialised pHFs and supplements to allow for better clarity and evidence-based recommendations.

The Long-Term Effects of Dietary Nutrient Intakes during the First 2 Years of Life in Healthy Infants from Developed Countries: An Umbrella Review.

The role of both qualitative and quantitative early nutrient intakes on later health has been suggested for decades and supported by observational studies on humans, mainly preterm and low-birth-weight infants, and animal models. However, to date, no comprehensive review has been conducted to evaluate the full impact of nutritional variables on healthy full-term infants. This umbrella review considers meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the health effects of different nutritional exposures or interventions in the first 2 y of life of healthy full-term infants in developed countries. The systematic reviews and meta-analyses published by March 2018 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were included. The following outcomes were considered: growth and obesity, cardiovascular disease, neurodevelopment, allergy and autoimmunity, infections, and malignancy. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding were considered separately and analyzed by means of their differences in delivering heterogeneous food-related variables. The resulting data on the long-term effect of early nutritional differences in healthy full-term infants were found to be inconclusive. Only breastfeeding has a beneficial effect, which is nevertheless slight and limited to just a few outcome measures, whereas the type and duration required to be effective are still unclear. As regards the complementary feeding period, no clear effects of different dietary interventions emerge in terms of health outcomes. Available evidence on the health effects of differences in early nutrition in healthy full-term infants still remains largely inconclusive.

Randomised study found that improved nutritional intake was associated with better sleep patterns in prepubertal children who were both short and lean.

AIMS: Nutrition and sleep are prerequisites for linear growth and we addressed the under-researched role of sleep in this equation. METHODS: This was a prospective randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of nutritional supplements in 164 healthy lean, short, prepubertal children with 83 in the supplement group and 81 in the placebo group. From November 2010 to November 2013, we focussed on children aged three to nine years referred for specialist growth assessments to the Schneider Children's Medical Center, Israel. Progress was assessed using anthropometric measurements, sleep questionnaires and three-day food diaries at baseline and after the six-month intervention. RESULTS: Children in the supplement group who took at least 50% of the recommended dose had shorter sleep latency than those who did not (p = 0.046). Children who fell asleep in less than 15 minutes had significantly improved standard deviation scores for weight (0.25 ± 0.34 versus 0.07 ± 0.36, p = 0.044) and height (0.09 ± 0.13 versus 0.03 ± 0.13, p = 0.057) than those who took longer to fall asleep. Positive correlations were found between mean sleep duration and caloric and macronutrient intake per kilogram. CONCLUSION: Adequate nutritional intake was associated with better sleep patterns and may enhance linear growth.

Beta Palmitate Improves Bone Length and Quality during Catch-Up Growth in Young Rats.

Palmitic acid (PA) is the most abundant saturated fatty acid in human milk, where it is heavily concentrated in the sn-2-position (termed beta palmitate, BPA) and as such is conserved in all women, regardless of their diet or ethnicity, indicating its physiological and metabolic importance. We hypothesized that BPA improves the efficiency of nutrition-induced catch up growth as compared to sn-1,3 PA, which is present in vegetable oil. Pre-pubertal male rats were subjected to a 17 days food restriction followed by re-feeding for nine days with 1,3 PA or BPA-containing diets. We measured bone length, epiphyseal growth plate height (EGP, histology), bone quality (micro-CT and 3-point bending assay), and gene expression (Affymetrix). The BPA-containing diet improved most growth parameters: humeri length and EGP height were greater in the BPA-fed animals. Further analysis of the EGP revealed that the hypertrophic zone was significantly higher in the BPA group. In addition, Affymetrix analysis revealed that the diet affected the expression of several genes in the liver and EGP. Despite the very subtle difference between the diets and the short re-feeding period, we found a small but significant improvement in most growth parameters in the BPA-fed rats. This pre-clinical study may have important implications, especially for children with growth disorders and children with special nutritional needs.

Vitamin D in European children-statement from the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP).

Vitamin D is synthesized in human skin upon sun exposure and is also a nutrient. It regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism and is essential for the maintenance of bone health. Vitamin D supplementation during infancy, in order to prevent rickets, is universally accepted. Many human cell types carry vitamin D receptor, this being a drive for conducting studies on the possible association between vitamin D status and other diseases. Studies have affirmed that a considerable number of healthy European children may be vitamin D deficient, especially in high-risk groups (darker pigmented skin, living in areas with reduced sun exposure and other disorders). However, the definition of deficiency is unclear due to inter assay differences and due to a lack of consensus as to what is an "adequate" 25(OH)D level. Therefore, there is no justification for routine screening for vitamin D deficiency in healthy children. An evaluation of vitamin D status is justified in children belonging to high-risk groups. All infants up to 1 year of age should receive an oral supplementation of 400 IU/day of vitamin D. Beyond this age, seasonal variation of sunlight should be taken into account when considering a national policy of supplementation or fortification.

Effect of Nutritional Supplementation on Growth in Short and Lean Prepubertal Children after 1 Year of Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 1-year effectiveness and safety of nutritional supplementation with the study formula on linear growth and weight gain in short and lean prepubertal children and to validate the previously reported findings in those initially treated with placebo. STUDY DESIGN: Two-phase 1-year intervention (double-blind placebo-controlled [0-6 months] and open-labeled extension [6-12 months]) in which all participants were offered to continue the study using the study formula. Anthropometric measures and 3-day food diary were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of intervention. RESULTS: A total of 129 out of 150 children (86%) completed the open-labeled extension-phase. In "good" consumers of the formula (intake ≥50% of recommended dose) throughout the entire year height-SDS continued to improve in the extension phase, with a total gain of 0.19 ± 0.14 SD. In "good" consumers of the formula initially randomized to the placebo-group, the gain in height-SDS significantly improved (from 0.04 ± 0.13 to 0.12 ± 0.11; P = .001), replicating the results of the "good" consumers of the formula during the blinded-phase (0.12 ± 0.12). "Poor" consumers (intake <50% of recommended dose) did not improve their height-SDS. No significant changes in body mass index SDS were observed with the consumption of the formula. A dose-response was found between the amount of formula consumed/kg and the increment in height-SDS and weight-SDS (r = 0.36; P < .001 and r = 0.18; P = .041, respectively). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: One year of a nutritional supplement was effective in promoting the linear growth of short and lean prepubertal children, with no change in body mass index status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01158352.

Food Intake Adequacy in Children and Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Diet assessment is essential in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to study food intake in children with IBD and evaluated the relation of dietary intake with disease activity and nutritional status in these children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 68 children and adolescents with IBD (57 Crohn disease, 11 ulcerative colitis). Evaluation included clinical, laboratory, and nutritional assessment including 3 days diet record. RESULTS: Compared with recommended daily allowance, the intake of patients with IBD was significantly poor for carbohydrates (75%, P = 0.016), calcium (49%, P < 0.05), magnesium (76%, P < 0.05), vitamin A (72%, P < 0.05), vitamin E (57%, P < 0.05), and fiber (44%, P < 0.05) and higher for protein (175%, P < 0.05), iron (112%, P < 0.05), and water-soluble vitamins (118%-189% P < 0.05). Compared with the intakes of healthy children from National Nutritional Survey, the intake of IBD group was lower for calories (78%, P = 0.012), carbohydrates (61% P < 0.05), magnesium (67% P < 0.05), vitamin C (34%, P < 0.05), and fiber (54%, P < 0.05) and high for B12 (141%, P < 0.05). Fifty subjects ate ordinary diets, 7 of 68 children were on exclusive enteral nutrition and 11 of 68 consumed regular food with different polymeric formulas supplements. Compared with children without supplements, children on exclusive enteral nutrition and nutritional supplements (18/68) had significantly better intakes of energy (1870 ±â€Š755 vs 2267 ±â€Š432, P < 0.05), carbohydrates (223 ±â€Š97 vs 292 ±â€Š99, P < 0.05), and all minerals (P < 0.05) and micronutrients (P < 0.05). Dietary intake was not different by disease status (remission or relapse). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of nutritional supplements, food intake is inadequate for many nutrients in many children with IBD.

Parenteral Nutrition in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) must be initiated as soon as possible after delivery in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants in order to prevent postnatal growth failure and improve neurodevelopmental outcome. When administered early, high levels of parenteral amino acids (AA) are well tolerated and prevent negative nitrogen balance. Although proteins are the driving force for growth, protein synthesis is energy-demanding. Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE) constitute a good energy source because of their high energy density and provide essential fatty acids (FA) along with their long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) derivatives necessary for central nervous system and retinal development. Early supply of ILE is not associated with increased morbidity. No significant differences were found between ILE based on soybean oil only and mixed ILE containing soybean oil in combination with other fat sources, except for a reduction in the incidence of sepsis with non-pure soybean ILE, and possibly less PN-associated liver disease with mixed ILE containing some fish oil. In preterm infants glucose homeostasis is still immature in the first days of life and abnormalities of glucose homeostasis are common. VLBW infants may not tolerate high levels of glucose infusion without hyperglycemia. Administering lower levels of glucose infusion as part of full early PN seems more successful than insulin at this stage. Postpartum there is a transition period when the water and electrolyte balance may be severely disturbed and should be closely monitored. Avoiding fluid overload is critical for preventing respiratory and other morbidities.

Intravenous lipid emulsions in term infants: impact on laboratory and clinical outcomes and long-term consequences.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) in term newborns and older infants is often required for nutritional support for temporary or permanent intestinal failure from any reason. Lipid emulsions (LEs) are an essential source of high-density energy, essential fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamins. Depending on the fatty acid type, LEs may also have significant immunomodulatory effects. All LEs, starting with soybean oil-based LE and subsequently with medium-chain triglycerides-, olive oil- and fish oil-based LEs, have been investigated in newborns and infants. Laboratory data (mainly liver enzymes, plasma lipid profiles and some metabolic markers) have been investigated for some LEs. The outcome of intestinal failure-associated liver disease after switching to new fish oil-based LEs has been sporadically reported. Long-term outcome data have only looked at the relationship between PN and mortality/morbidity, especially liver disease, and a few studies have looked at growth. There are no controlled studies in this age group that investigated the relationship between different types of LEs and long-term outcomes. In spite of their contribution to understanding the use and indications of various LEs as well as their advantages and adverse effects, most studies in newborns and infants have been observational or retrospective, and the investigated population has been heterogeneous, either in terms of the degree of maturation, age or diagnoses. High-quality studies, preferably randomized and controlled, in this particular population are needed, especially with the widespread use of PN and the emergence of new LEs.

Effect of a nutritional supplement on growth in short and lean prepubertal children: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) in short and lean prepubertal children. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of nutritional supplementation at the endocrinology department of a tertiary pediatric medical center of healthy, lean, short, prepubertal children 3-9-years-old. Anthropometry measurements were measured at 6 months. RESULTS: Two hundred participants (149 boys) entered the study and 171 (85.5%) completed the intervention period. Baseline characteristics including age, sex, height-SDS, weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, and dietary caloric and protein intakes were similar in the formula and placebo groups. 'Good' consumers (intake of ≥50% of the recommended dose) in the formula group significantly improved height-SDS (P < .001) and weight-SDS (P = .005) with no change in BMI-SDS compared with 'poor' consumers and the placebo group. In the formula-treated group a positive correlation was found between the amount of formula consumed per body weight and the gain in height-SDS (r = 0.44, P < .001) and weight-SDS (r = 0.35, P = .002); no significant correlations were found in the placebo group. No serious adverse events were reported during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional intervention with the formula was found to be a feasible, effective, and safe approach for promoting the physical growth of short and lean prepubertal children.

Iron requirements of infants and toddlers.

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide and young children are a special risk group because their rapid growth leads to high iron requirements. Risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of ID anemia (IDA) include low birth weight, high cow's-milk intake, low intake of iron-rich complementary foods, low socioeconomic status, and immigrant status. The aim of this position paper was to review the field and provide recommendations regarding iron requirements in infants and toddlers, including those of moderately or marginally low birth weight. There is no evidence that iron supplementation of pregnant women improves iron status in their offspring in a European setting. Delayed cord clamping reduces the risk of ID. There is insufficient evidence to support general iron supplementation of healthy European infants and toddlers of normal birth weight. Formula-fed infants up to 6 months of age should receive iron-fortified infant formula, with an iron content of 4 to 8 mg/L (0.6-1.2 mg(-1) · kg(-1) · day(-1)). Marginally low-birth-weight infants (2000-2500 g) should receive iron supplements of 1-2 mg(-1) · kg(-1) · day(-1). Follow-on formulas should be iron-fortified; however, there is not enough evidence to determine the optimal iron concentration in follow-on formula. From the age of 6 months, all infants and toddlers should receive iron-rich (complementary) foods, including meat products and/or iron-fortified foods. Unmodified cow's milk should not be fed as the main milk drink to infants before the age of 12 months and intake should be limited to <500 mL/day in toddlers. It is important to ensure that this dietary advice reaches high-risk groups such as socioeconomically disadvantaged families and immigrant families.

Insulin in human milk and the use of hormones in infant formulas.

Human milk contains a substantial number of hormones and growth factors. Studies in animal models show that some of these peptides (e.g. insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, IGF-1, epidermal growth factors) have an effect on the small intestine after orogastric administration. Recently, two efforts were made to incorporate growth factors into infant formulas. One of these efforts included the incorporation of IGF-1, and the second is an ongoing effort to evaluate the safety and efficacy of incorporating insulin into infant formulas. The rational and current evidence for adding insulin to infant formulas (presence in human milk, effects of orally administrated insulin on gut maturation, intestinal permeability, systemic effects and preliminary encouraging results of supplementing insulin to a preterm infant formula) is detailed in this review. If the addition of insulin to preterm infant formulas indeed results in better growth and accelerated intestinal maturation, future studies will need to address the supplementation of insulin in term infants and assess the efficacy of such supplementation in enhancing gut maturation and prevention of later noncommunicable diseases such as allergy, autoimmune diseases and obesity.

Vitamin D in the healthy European paediatric population.

In recent years, reports suggesting a resurgence of vitamin D deficiency in the Western world, combined with various proposed health benefits for vitamin D supplementation, have resulted in increased interest from health care professionals, the media, and the public. The aim of this position paper is to summarise the published data on vitamin D intake and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the healthy European paediatric population, to discuss the health benefits of vitamin D and to provide recommendations for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency in this population. Vitamin D plays a key role in calcium and phosphate metabolism and is essential for bone health. There is insufficient evidence from interventional studies to support vitamin D supplementation for other health benefits in infants, children, and adolescents. The pragmatic use of a serum concentration >50 nmol/L to indicate sufficiency and a serum concentration <25 nmol/L to indicate severe deficiency is recommended. Vitamin D deficiency occurs commonly among healthy European infants, children, and adolescents, especially in certain risk groups, including breast-fed infants, not adhering to the present recommendation for vitamin D supplementation, children and adolescents with dark skin living in northern countries, children and adolescents without adequate sun exposure, and obese children. Infants should receive an oral supplementation of 400 IU/day of vitamin D. The implementation should be promoted and supervised by paediatricians and other health care professionals. Healthy children and adolescents should be encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle associated with a normal body mass index, including a varied diet with vitamin D-containing foods (fish, eggs, dairy products) and adequate outdoor activities with associated sun exposure. For children in risk groups identified above, an oral supplementation of vitamin D must be considered beyond 1 year of age. National authorities should adopt policies aimed at improving vitamin D status using measures such as dietary recommendations, food fortification, vitamin D supplementation, and judicious sun exposure, depending on local circumstances.