Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 on infant growth and health: a randomised clinical trial in nursing women.

The breast milk microbiota has been described as a source of bacteria for infant gut colonisation. We studied the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (Lc40) on growth and infection incidence of the infants, when the probiotic is administrated to the mothers. Moreover, whether such effects might depend on the interaction between the mother or infant microbiota and the probiotic administration. A total of 291 mother-infant pairs were studied for 16 weeks in a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled multicentre trial. The Lc40 group (n=139) received 1 capsule/day containing 3×109 cfu Lc40; the control group (n=152) received 1 placebo (maltodextrin) capsule/day. A positive and significant correlation of the Staphylococcus load between breast milk and infant faeces was only observed in control group. Additionally, the weight z-score of the infants whose mothers had higher values of Lactobacillus in their breast milk were significantly higher for the Lc40 group. We observed a significant lower incidence of conjunctivitis in the infants whose mothers received Lc40. A higher load of Staphylococcus in infant faeces significantly increased the risk of respiratory infections. Such incidence, under an absent or low Staphylococcus load in the faeces, was significantly 36 times higher in the infants in the control group than in the infants in the Lc40 group. However, the protective effect of Lc40 was gradually reduced as the Staphylococcus load of the milk increased. The administration of Lc40 to nursing women might influence infant growth and health but it seems to depend on its interactions with mother or infant microbiota. Registered in the US Library of Medicine (www.clinicaltrials.gov): NCT02203877.

Comorbidities in childhood associated with extrauterine growth restriction in preterm infants: a scoping review.

Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) is a frequent morbidity of preterm infants that can affect short- and long-term prognosis as it involves different EUGR-related alterations in growth and neurological development, as well as cardiometabolic risk. However, knowledge about the prognosis of EUGR is scarce. Thus, the objective of this study is to review the evidence regarding EUGR-related comorbidities in childhood by a systematic approach. This review was carried out using the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual Methodology and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses)-Search Extension for scoping review. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were used to identify papers published until September 2017. Twenty-four publications were included and 19 examined cohort studies. EUGR is mainly associated with (1) lower weight, length, and head circumference measures in childhood; (2) poor neurodevelopment; and (3) alterations in cardiometabolic risk markers. The definition for EUGR and the populations studied differ among authors.Conclusion: EUGR is mainly associated with poor growth and neurodevelopment, as well as with cardiometabolic alterations in childhood. Evidence is based on observational studies with variability in the included populations due to the lack of consensus regarding the definition for EUGR. Finding a gold standard definition becomes paramount in order to select phenotypes at risk later in life. What is known? • EUGR is a frequent condition of preterm infants. Up to date little is known about the effect of the metabolic programming on prognosis. What is new? • The available evidence, which is based on observational studies with variability in the population and the existing different definitions for EUGR, do not enable appropriate data collection. EUGR is mainly associated with poor growth and neurodevelopment, as well as with cardiometabolic alterations in childhood.

Evaluation of the safety, tolerance and efficacy of 1-year consumption of infant formula supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The microorganism present in breast milk, added to other factors, determine the colonization of infants. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the safety, tolerance and effects of the consumption of a milk formula during the first year of life that is supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 or Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263, two strains originally isolated from breast milk. METHODS: A randomized, double blind, controlled, parallel group study including healthy, formula-fed infants was conducted. Two hundred and thirty-six 1-month-old infants were selected and randomly divided into three study groups according to a randomization list. Infants in the control group received a standard powdered infant formula until 12 months of age. Infants in the probiotic groups received the same infant formula but supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or B. breve CECT7263. Main outcome was weigh-gain of infants as safety marker. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-nine infants completed the eleven months of intervention (61 in control group, 65 in Lf group and 63 in Bb group). The growth of infants in the three groups was consistent with standards. No significant differences were observed in the main outcome, weight-gain (Control group: 5.77 Kg ± 0.95, Lf group: 5.77 Kg ± 1.31, Bb group: 5.58 Kg ± 1.10; p = 0.527). The three milk formulae were well tolerated, and no adverse effects were related to the consumption of any of the formula. Infants receiving B. breve CECT7263 had a 1.7 times lower risk of crying than the control group (OR = 0.569, CI 95% 0.568-0.571; p = 0.001). On the other hand, the incidence of diarrhoea in infants receiving the formula supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 was a 44% lower than in infants receiving the control formula (p = 0.014). The consumption of this Lactobacillus strain also reduced the duration of diarrhoea by 2.5 days versus control group (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of L. fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 or B. breve CECT7263, two probiotic strains naturally found in breast milk, to infant formulae is safe and induces beneficial effects on the health of infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was retrospectively registered in the US Library of Medicine ( www.clinicaltrial.gov ) with the number NCT03204630 . Registered 11 August 2016.

Evaluation of the vasoactive-inotropic score, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin and cardiac troponin I as predictors of low cardiac output syndrome in children after congenital heart disease surgery / Evaluación de la escala vasoactiva-inotrópica, pro-adrenomedulina y troponina cardiaca-I como factores predictivos del síndrome de bajo gasto cardiaco en niños tras corrección quirúrgica de cardiopatías congénitas

Objective: To determine the predictive value of the inotropic score (IS) and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) in low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) in children after congenital heart disease surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and to establish whether mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), associated to the IS and VIS scores, increases the predictive capacity in LCOS. Design: A prospective observational study was carried out. Setting: A Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Patients: A total of 117children with congenital heart disease underwent CPB. Patients were divided into two groups: LCOS and non-LCOS. Interventions: The clinical and analytical data were recorded at 2, 12, 24 and 48h post-CPB. Logistic regression was used to develop a risk prediction model using LCOS as dependent variable. Main outcome measures: LCOS, IS, VIS, MR-proADM, cTn-I, age, sex, CPB time, PIM-2, Aristotle score. Results: While statistical significance was not recorded for IS in the multivariate analysis, VIS was seen to be independently associated to LCOS. On the other hand, VIS>15.5 at 2h post-CPB, adjusted for age and CPB timepoints, showed high specificity (92.87%; 95%CI: 86.75-98.96) and increased negative predictive value (75.59%, 95%CI: 71.1-88.08) for the diagnosis of LCOS at 48h post-CPB. The predictive power for LCOS did not increase when VIS was combined with cTn-I >14ng/ml at 2h and MR-proADM >1.5nmol/l at 24h post-CPB. Conclusions: The VIS score at 2h post-CPB was identified as an independent early predictor of LCOS. This predictive value was not increased when associated with LCOS cardiac biomarkers. The VIS score was more useful than IS post-CPB in making early therapeutic decisions in clinical practice post-CPB

Objetivo: Estudiar el valor predictivo de la escala inotrópica (IS) y la escala vasoactiva-inotrópica (VIS) en el síndrome de bajo gasto cardiaco (SBGC) en niños poscirugía de cardiopatías congénitas mediante bypass cardiopulmonar (BCP). Determinar si adrenomedulina (MR-proADM) y troponina cardiaca-I (cTn-I) asociadas con IS y VIS incrementan su capacidad predictora de SBGC. Diseño: Estudio prospectivo y observacional. Ámbito: Cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Pacientes: Ciento diecisiete pacientes pediátricos con cardiopatías congénitas corregidos mediante BCP, clasificados en función de la presencia o no de SBGC. Intervenciones: Los datos analíticos y clínicos se midieron a las 2, 12, 24 y 48h post-BCP. Las principales variables se analizaron mediante regresión logística multivariante, considerando SBGC como variable dependiente. Variables de interés principales: SBGC, IS, VIS, MR-proADM, cTn-I, edad, sexo, BCP, PIM-2 y escala Aristóteles. Resultados: El IS no alcanzó significación estadística en el estudio multivariante; sin embargo, el VIS se asoció independientemente a SBGC. El VIS>15,5 a las 2h del ingreso en CIP, ajustado por edad y tiempo de CEC, muestra alta especificidad (92,87%; IC 95%: 86,75-98,96%) y alto valor predictivo negativo (75,59%; IC 95%: 71,10-88,08) para predecir SBGC a las 48h post-BCP. La capacidad predictora no se incrementa al incorporar cTn-I>14ng/ml a las 2h y ADM>1,5nmol/l a las 24h del postoperatorio. Conclusiones: El VIS a las 2h post-BCP es un predictor independiente precoz de SBGC. Este valor no se incrementa al asociarse biomarcadores cardiacos de LCOS. La escala de VIS fue más útil que la escala de IS en la toma de decisiones terapéuticas tras la cirugía cardiaca

Metabolic profiling in children with autism spectrum disorder with and without mental regression: preliminary results from a cross-sectional case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: It is challenging to establish the mechanisms involved in the variety of well-defined clinical phenotypes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the pathways involved in their pathogeneses. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the metabolomic profiles of children with ASD subclassified by mental regression (AR) phenotype and with no regression (ANR). METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional case-control study. Thirty children aged 2-6 years with ASD were included: 15 with ANR and 15 with AR. In addition, a control group of 30 normally developing children was selected and matched to the ASD group by sex and age. Plasma samples were analyzed with a metabolomics single platform methodology based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Univariate and multivariate analysis, including orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis modeling and Shared-and-Unique-Structures plots, were performed using MetaboAnalyst 4.0 and SIMCA-P 15. The primary endpoint was the metabolic signature profiling among healthy children and autistic children and their subgroups. RESULTS: Metabolomic profiles of 30 healthy children, 15 ANR and 15 AR were compared. Several differences between healthy children and children with ASD were detected, involving mainly amino acid, lipid and nicotinamide metabolism. Furthermore, we report subtle differences between the ANR and AR groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we report, for the first time, the plasmatic metabolomic profiles of children with ASD, including two different phenotypes based on mental regression status. The use of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry platform approach for metabolomics in ASD children using plasma appears to be very efficient and adds further support to previous findings in urine. Furthermore, the present study documents several changes related to amino acid, NAD+ and lipid metabolism that, in some cases, such as arginine and glutamate pathway alterations, seem to be associated with the AR phenotype. Further targeted analyses are needed in a larger cohort to validate the results presented herein.

Recognition of alpha-mannosidosis in paediatric and adult patients: Presentation of a diagnostic algorithm from an international working group.

Alpha-mannosidosis is an ultra-rare progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of alpha-mannosidase. Timely diagnosis of the disease has the potential to influence patient outcomes as preventive therapies can be initiated at an early stage. However, no internationally-recognised algorithm is currently available for the diagnosis of the disease. With the aim of developing a diagnostic algorithm for alpha-mannosidosis an international panel of experts met to reach a consensus by applying the nominal group technique. Two proposals were developed for diagnostic algorithms of alpha-mannosidosis, one for patients ≤10 years of age and one for those >10 years of age. In younger patients, hearing impairment and/or speech delay are the cardinal symptoms that should prompt the clinician to look for additional symptoms that may provide further diagnostic clues. Older patients have different clinical presentations, and the presence of mental retardation and motor impairment progression and/or psychiatric manifestations should prompt the clinician to assess for other symptoms. In both younger and older patients, either additional metabolic monitoring or referral for testing is warranted upon suspicion of disease. Oligosaccharides in urine (historically performed) or serum were considered as an initial screening procedure, while enzymatic activity may also be considered as first choice in some centres. Molecular testing should be performed as a final confirmatory step. The developed algorithms can easily be applied in a variety of settings, and may help to favour early diagnosis of alpha mannosidosis and treatment.

Evaluation of the vasoactive-inotropic score, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin and cardiac troponin I as predictors of low cardiac output syndrome in children after congenital heart disease surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of the inotropic score (IS) and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) in low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) in children after congenital heart disease surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and to establish whether mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), associated to the IS and VIS scores, increases the predictive capacity in LCOS. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out. SETTING: A Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. PATIENTS: A total of 117children with congenital heart disease underwent CPB. Patients were divided into two groups: LCOS and non-LCOS. INTERVENTIONS: The clinical and analytical data were recorded at 2, 12, 24 and 48h post-CPB. Logistic regression was used to develop a risk prediction model using LCOS as dependent variable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: LCOS, IS, VIS, MR-proADM, cTn-I, age, sex, CPB time, PIM-2, Aristotle score. RESULTS: While statistical significance was not recorded for IS in the multivariate analysis, VIS was seen to be independently associated to LCOS. On the other hand, VIS>15.5 at 2h post-CPB, adjusted for age and CPB timepoints, showed high specificity (92.87%; 95%CI: 86.75-98.96) and increased negative predictive value (75.59%, 95%CI: 71.1-88.08) for the diagnosis of LCOS at 48h post-CPB. The predictive power for LCOS did not increase when VIS was combined with cTn-I >14ng/ml at 2h and MR-proADM >1.5nmol/l at 24h post-CPB. CONCLUSIONS: The VIS score at 2h post-CPB was identified as an independent early predictor of LCOS. This predictive value was not increased when associated with LCOS cardiac biomarkers. The VIS score was more useful than IS post-CPB in making early therapeutic decisions in clinical practice post-CPB.

Nuevos conocimientos sobre los lípidos en las fórmulas infantiles / New knowledge about lipids in infant formula

La leche tiene algunos compuestos bioactivos en el componente graso cuyas funciones son importantes en el desarrollo del lactante. La estructura del glóbulo graso y los componentes bioactivos de la membrana se han asociado con un adecuado crecimiento, la regulación del sistema inmunitario o la maduración estructural y funcional del intestino. Además, los ácidos grasos de la leche pueden ser condicionalmente esenciales, como algunos poliinsaturados de cadena larga, y se debe asegurar que el lactante los reciba en una cantidad suficiente, ya que se requieren en el desarrollo y la funcionalidad de los sistemas visual, nervioso e inmunitario. Entre los ácidos saturados destaca el palmitato en posición beta, que interviene en el metabolismo óseo y sobre la microbiota intestinal. Por ello, todos estos componentes están siendo estudiados e incorporados progresivamente en las fórmulas infantiles para asemejar su perfil al de la leche humana

Milk contains some bioactive compounds in its fatty component, the functions of which are important to the development of nursing infants. The structure of the fatty globule and the bioactive components of the membrane have been linked to proper growth, regulation of the immune system and structural and functional maturing of the intestine. Furthermore, the fatty acids in milk, like some long-chain polyunsaturates, can be conditionally essential and it must be ensured that the nursing infant gets enough of them, as they are required for the development and functioning of the visual, nervous and immune systems. Important among the saturated acids is palmitate in beta position, which plays a part in the bone metabolism and intestinal microbiota. Thus, all these components are being studied and gradually added to infant formula to make its profile more similar to human milk

Cardiovascular risk biomarkers and metabolically unhealthy status in prepubertal children: Comparison of definitions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The early onset of cardio-metabolic abnormalities, known as metabolically unhealthy (MU) status, is highly associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as with increased morbidity and mortality later in life. Given the lack of a consensus MU classification for prepubertal children, we aimed to compare available MU definitions in terms of their association with CVD risk biomarkers. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 930 prepubertal children (622 with overweight/obesity, 462 males) aged 5-10.9 years were recruited, anthropometric measures were taken and biomarkers were analyzed. Children were classified using eight MU definitions based on different cut-offs for blood pressure, triacylglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). MU prevalence in children with overweight/obesity ranged between 30% and 60% across definitions. Plasma concentrations of resistin, leptin, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and total plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (tPAI-1) were higher, and those of adiponectin were lower, in MU compared to MH children with overweight/obesity. Linear regression analyses confirmed the contribution of MPO and tPAI-1 concentrations to MU status, with most significant results derived from definitions that use age and sex-specific criteria and that account for HOMA-IR. CONCLUSION: Plasma concentrations of MPO and tPAI-1 are increased in prepubertal MU children irrespective of having normal-weight or overweight/obesity. Inclusion of age and sex-specific cut-offs for cardio-metabolic components as well as insulin resistance criteria increases the quality of MU definitions as seen by their stronger association with CVD biomarkers concentrations.

Recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Obesidad de la Sociedad Española de Endocrinología Pediátrica sobre hábitos de alimentación para la prevención de la obesidad y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la infancia / Recommendations of the Spanish Paediatric Endocrinology Society Working Group on Obesity on eating habits for the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood

La obesidad infantil determina un riesgo elevado de enfermedad cardiovascular. Este artículo realiza una actualización sobre el papel que los factores dietéticos tienen sobre el desarrollo y la prevención de la obesidad en este grupo de edad. Según la evidencia científica, las recomendaciones recogidas son: promover el consumo de hidratos de carbono de absorción lenta y disminuir aquellos con índice glucémico alto, evitar el consumo de bebidas azucaradas, limitar el consumo de grasas a un 30% de las calorías totales diarias y el de grasas saturadas a un 7-10%, reducir la ingesta de colesterol, evitar durante el primer año las fórmulas con alto contenido proteico, aumentar la ingesta de fibra, reducir el aporte de sodio y realizar al menos 4 comidas al día evitando el consumo regular de comida rápida y de snacks

Childhood obesity is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. This paper summarises the currently available evidence on the implications of dietary factors on the development and prevention of obesity in paediatric patients. Evidence-based recommendations are: promote the consumption of slowly absorbed carbohydrates and reduce those with a high-glycaemic-index, avoid intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. Fat may provide up to 30-35% of the daily energy intake and saturated fat should provide no more than 10% of daily energy intake; reduce cholesterol intake, avoid formula milk with a high protein content during the first year; promote higher fibre content in the diet, reduce sodium intake, and have at least four meals a day, avoiding regular consumption of fast food and snacks

[Recommendations of the Spanish Paediatric Endocrinology Society Working Group on Obesity on eating habits for the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood]. / Recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Obesidad de la Sociedad Española de Endocrinología Pediátrica sobre hábitos de alimentación para la prevención de la obesidad y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la infancia.

Childhood obesity is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. This paper summarises the currently available evidence on the implications of dietary factors on the development and prevention of obesity in paediatric patients. Evidence-based recommendations are: promote the consumption of slowly absorbed carbohydrates and reduce those with a high-glycaemic-index, avoid intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. Fat may provide up to 30-35% of the daily energy intake and saturated fat should provide no more than 10% of daily energy intake; reduce cholesterol intake, avoid formula milk with a high protein content during the first year; promote higher fibre content in the diet, reduce sodium intake, and have at least four meals a day, avoiding regular consumption of fast food and snacks.

Uso de azúcares y edulcorantes en la alimentación del niño. Recomendaciones del Comité de Nutrición de la Asociación Española de Pediatría / Use of sugars and sweeteners in children's diets. Recommendations of the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Paediatric Association

El término edulcorante hace referencia a aquel aditivo alimentario que confiere un sabor dulce y que, habitualmente, no aporta o proporciona muy poca energía. Se utiliza para endulzar alimentos, medicamentos y complementos alimenticios cuando se persiguen fines no nutritivos. Desde hace años, se han empleado edulcorantes acalóricos como sustitutos de todo o parte del contenido en azúcares en comidas y bebidas. En las últimas décadas, se ha incrementado su consumo para prevenir la caries y para el correcto cumplimiento de la dieta en casos de control del peso corporal, obesidad y diabetes y, en general, como coadyuvantes para conseguir un balance energético adecuado. No obstante, el consumo de alimentos y de bebidas azucaradas y/o edulcoradas es elevado, reflejando o un aporte calórico importante, o un patrón de hábitos alimentarios inadecuados en los niños. Por otro lado, sigue habiendo dudas entre los consumidores sobre los riesgos para la salud asociados al uso de edulcorantes, ya sean artificiales o naturales. El principal interés en investigación sobre seguridad y los posibles usos terapéuticos se centra en los «edulcorantes artificiales». El objetivo de este documento es proporcionar información a los pediatras sobre las características de los distintos edulcorantes para aconsejar en la elección de un determinado edulcorante sobre la base de sus propiedades (AU)

The term «sweetener» refers to a food additive that imparts a sweet flavour and usually provides no or very low energy. It is used to sweeten foods, medicines and food supplements with no nutritional purposes. For years, no-calorie sweeteners have been used as substitutes for all or part of the sugar content in foods and beverages. In recent decades its consumption has risen to prevent tooth decay, or as an aid in weight control, obesity and diabetes and, in general, to achieve an optimal energy balance. However, consumption of sugary or sweetened food and soft drinks is high, making this situation of special interest in calorie intake and in the poor behavioural pattern of eating habits in children. In addition, questions remain among consumers about the risks to health associated with their use, whether they are artificial or natural. The «artificial sweeteners» are the group of greatest interest in research in order to demonstrate their safety and to provide firm data on their possible therapeutic effects. The aim of the present document is to increase information for paediatricians on the characteristics of different sweeteners, and to advise on the choice of sweeteners, based on their properties (AU)

[Use of sugars and sweeteners in children's diets. Recommendations of the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Paediatric Association]. / Uso de azúcares y edulcorantes en la alimentación del niño. Recomendaciones del Comité de Nutrición de la Asociación Española de Pediatría.

The term «sweetener¼ refers to a food additive that imparts a sweet flavour and usually provides no or very low energy. It is used to sweeten foods, medicines and food supplements with no nutritional purposes. For years, no-calorie sweeteners have been used as substitutes for all or part of the sugar content in foods and beverages. In recent decades its consumption has risen to prevent tooth decay, or as an aid in weight control, obesity and diabetes and, in general, to achieve an optimal energy balance. However, consumption of sugary or sweetened food and soft drinks is high, making this situation of special interest in calorie intake and in the poor behavioural pattern of eating habits in children. In addition, questions remain among consumers about the risks to health associated with their use, whether they are artificial or natural. The «artificial sweeteners¼ are the group of greatest interest in research in order to demonstrate their safety and to provide firm data on their possible therapeutic effects. The aim of the present document is to increase information for paediatricians on the characteristics of different sweeteners, and to advise on the choice of sweeteners, based on their properties.

Long-term safety of early consumption of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716: A 3-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 is a probiotic strain originally isolated from human breast milk. Previous clinical studies in infants showed that the early administration of a milk formula containing this probiotic strain was safe and may be useful for the prevention of community-acquired infections. This is a 3-year follow-up study aimed at evaluating the long-term effects produced by the early consumption of an infant formula supplemented with L. fermentum CECT5716 (experimental group, EG) compared with a control formula without the probiotic (control group, CG). The infants included in this follow-up study had previously completed a 5-month randomized double-blind controlled trial (from 1 to 6 months of age), where the safety and tolerance of the probiotic formula was evaluated. The main outcome of the follow-up study was the growth of the children. The secondary outcomes included the incidence of infectious and non-infectious diseases, parameters related with intestinal function and faecal microbiota. At 3 years, the mean values of weight, length and head circumference were similar in children of the EG compared with those of the CG. No differences were observed in the incidence of infectious and non-infectious diseases or disorders related with intestinal function. The pattern of faecal microbiota was also similar between both groups. In conclusion, this 3-year study shows that the early administration of the probiotic of L. fermentum CECT5716 in an infant formula is safe and it does not produce measurable differences in children compared with a control formula.

Una nueva mutación en el gen GLDC en la hiperglicinemia no cetósica / A new mutation in the GLDC gene in non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia

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Alterations in the antioxidant defense system in prepubertal children with a history of extrauterine growth restriction.

PURPOSE: The role of oxidative stress is well known in the pathogenesis of acquired malnutrition. Intrauterine growth restriction has been associated with an imbalance in oxidative stress/antioxidant system. Therefore, early postnatal environment and, consequently, extrauterine growth restriction might be associated with alterations in the antioxidant defense system, even in the prepubertal stage. METHODS: This is a descriptive, analytical, and observational case-control study. The study included two groups; 38 Caucasian prepubertal children born prematurely and with a history of extrauterine growth restriction as the case group, and 123 gender- and age-matched controls. Plasma exogenous antioxidant (retinol, ß-carotene, and α-tocopherol) concentrations were measured by HPLC; antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were determined in lysed erythrocytes by spectrophotometric techniques. RESULTS: Catalase and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were significantly lower in extrauterine growth restriction children than in controls (P < 0.001). Lower plasma retinol concentrations were found in the case group (P = 0.029), while concentrations of ß-carotene and α-tocopherol were higher (P < 0.001) in extrauterine growth restriction prepubertal children as compared with controls. After correction by gestational age, birth weight, and length, statistically significant differences were also found, except for retinol. CONCLUSIONS: Prepubertal children with a history of extrauterine growth restriction present alterations in their antioxidant defense system. Knowing these alterations may be important in establishing pharmacological and nutritional treatments as this situation might be associated with higher metabolic disorders in adulthood.

Effects of parenteral nutrition formulas on plasma lipid profile in children with bone marrow transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Children undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) often require parenteral nutrition (PN). This is a comparative study of plasma lipid profiles in BMT children after fish oil or soybean PN. METHODS: A total of 14 children with BMT requiring PN for at least 10 days were recruited during 24 months. They were randomized to receive a lipid emulsion enriched with ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, or soybean oil. Clinical monitoring was performed. Blood samples were collected before and after administration of PN to analyze the lipid profile. RESULTS: There were no complications associated with PN. The increase in TG levels was more pronounced after administration of an enriched ω3 emulsion and the decrease in cHDL and apo A was greater after administration of soybean. The ω3 group showed an increase in eicosapentaenoic and a decrease in arachidonic acids compared to the soybean group. Both groups showed similar levels of linolenic acid. CONCLUSION: PN with soybean or ω3 emulsions for 10 days is safe in children. However, research in children are necessary in order to examine the impact of the duration of PN and the type of lipid formula used, and determine their health benefits in relation to the fatty acid profile.

Respuesta y comentarios de los autores: Acerca de «Alimentación del lactante y riesgo nutricional» / Comment & response: About «Infant food and nutritional risk»

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