Appetite-regulating hormones and anthropometric indicators of infants according to the type of feeding.

It has been accepted that satiety- and appetite-stimulating hormones play a role in the regulation of food intake and body composition during and after the lactation stage. Therefore, the purpose was to demonstrate that serum appetite-regulating hormones in infants differ according to anthropometric indicators and type of feeding. In a nonrandom cohort study, 169 mother-newborn dyads whose pregnancy and birth were attended at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled. According to the type of feeding, infants were classified as full breastfeeding (FBF), partial breastfeeding (PBF), and infants receiving human milk substitutes (HMS). Serum concentrations of ghrelin (pg/ml), leptin (ng/ml), peptide YY (pg/ml), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (pM) were measured. Anthropometric measurements including weight, length, cephalic, arm circumference, tricipital, and subscapular skinfolds were obtained. Weight/age, weight/height, height/age, and BMI Z-score indexes were estimated. We performed one-way ANOVA, unpaired Student's t test, post hoc Tukey test, and Pearson correlation tests. The ANOVA comparison of the three feeding types showed significant differences in most anthropometric indicators (z-scores), especially between infants receiving FBF versus HMS and particularly on indicators of adiposity; no differences were observed in length and cephalic circumference z-scores at 8th and 16th weeks. Further, significant correlations were found between most of the adiposity indicators with ghrelin, leptin, and GLP-1, especially in infants who received FBF. There were differences in anthropometric and body composition parameters among infants receiving FBF, PBF, and HMS. There were significant correlations between body composition indicators with ghrelin, leptin, and GLP-1 mainly in infants receiving FBF.

Anthropometric and clinical correlates of fat mass in healthy term infants at 6 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Body composition in infancy plays a central role in the programming of metabolic diseases. Fat mass (FM) is determined by personal and environmental factors. Anthropometric measurements allow for estimations of FM in many age groups; however, correlations of these measurements with FM in early stages of life are scarcely reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate anthropometric and clinical correlates of FM in healthy term infants at 6 months of age. METHODS: Healthy term newborns (n = 102) from a prospective cohort. Weight, length, skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular and the sum -SFS-) and waist circumference (WC) were measured at 6 months. Body mass index (BMI) and WC/length ratio were computed. Type of feeding during the first 6 months of age was recorded. Air displacement plethysmography was used to asses FM (percentage -%-) and FM index (FMI) was calculated. Correlations and general linear models were performed to evaluate associations. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between all anthropometric measurements and FM (% and index)(p < 0.001). Exclusive/predominant breastfed infants had higher FM and anthropometric measurements at 6 months. Models that showed the strongest associations with FM (% and index) were SFS + WC + sex + type of feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometry showed good correlations with FM at 6 months of age. Skinfolds sum and waist circumference were the strongest anthropometric variables associated to FM. Exclusive/predominant breastfeeding was strongly associated with FM.

Serum Lipids and Fatty Acids According to the Type of Feeding in Children

PURPOSE: Lipids and fatty acids are very important for brain and nervous system in growing children. This study was carried out to compare the composition of serum lipids and fatty acids according to the type of feeding in children. METHODS: One hundred and twenty two children aged from 5 month to 24 month who visited Soonchunhyang University Hospital from Mar. 1995 to Jan. 1996 with no gastrointestinal or nutritional problems were selected to compare the composition of serum lipids and fatty acids according to the type of feeding. They were divided into 3 groups according to type of feeding. Thirty three cases were breast milk fed group (BF), 48 cases were formula fed group and 41 cases were whole cow's milk fed group. Serum lipids were analysed by Folch method. Fatty acid methyl ester was made with BF3-methanol solution. Fatty acid contents (area%) were calculated by automatic analyser. RESULTS: 1) The mean serum cholesterol level was 144.14mg/dl and it was significantly higher in breast milk fed group (BF). 2) The mean serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) level was 88.82mg/dl and it was significantly higher in breast milk fed group (BF) (p<0.05). 3) Serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) level was 39.13% and it was significantly higher in BF. 5) Mean serum omega6 fatty acid level was 35.43% and there was no significant difference between three groups. 6) Mean serum omega3 fatty acid level was 3.70% and it was significantly higher in BF (p<0.05). 7) Mean serum arachidonic acid (AA) level was 5.28% and it was significantly higher in BF (p<0.005). 8) Mean serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) level was 0.51% and there was no significant difference between three groups. 9) Mean serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) level was 2.00% and it was significantly higher in BF (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional benefit of breast milk was proven by significantly high serum levels of arachidonic acid and DHA in breast milk fed group. Essential fatty acids and DHA should be addded to infant formula. Excessive amount of whole cow's milk feeding to infants is not good in nutritional aspects. Education and guidance about feeding method of infants are also needed.