Page 71 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 71
The aim of our study was to present the currently valid guidelines on nu- nutrition for healthy term infants and the role of gut microbiota 71
trition for healthy term infants and to review the recent articles regarding the
influence of nutrition on gut microbiota and development of diseases later in
life.
Methods
A narrative review of scientific and professional literature was performed us-
ing the world databases such as PubMed and websites of professional organiza-
tions. The keywords used in the search were: infants, nutrition, breast-feeding,
complementary feeding, recommendations, gut microbiota, health, and their
combinations. Inclusion criteria were English language articles published after
2000, with available full text and the appropriate content. Altogether 30 arti-
cles are presented in this narrative review.
Results and discussion
Breastfeeding or formula feeding
Human milk not only provides the perfectly adapted nutritional supply for the
infant but also plays a crucial role in promoting healthy growth and develop-
ment (Mosca & Giannì, 2017). The WHO recommends that infants are exclu-
sively breastfed up to the completion of 6 months, with breastfeeding continu-
ing to be an important part of the diet until the infant is at least 2 years old
(World Health Assembly, 2002). EBF by a healthy mother can meet the nutri-�
ent requirements of healthy-term infants for most nutrients for approximately
6 months, although the lack of evidence from randomized clinical trials sug-
gests that it is not certain whether this applies to all mothers and infants. Some
infants may require additional energy or iron before 6 months (Fewtrell et al.,
2017). Advances in research have clearly indicated several short and long-term
health benefits associated with breastfeeding (Mosca & Giannì, 2017). A sys-
tematic review published in 2016 indicates a strong protective effect of EBF
during the first 6 months against infectious diseases, with an 88% reduction of
mortality in comparison to infants that have never been breastfeed (Victora et
al., 2016). Compelling evidence indicates a major protective role of breastfeed-
ing with regard to the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory infections,
including hospitalization due to these diseases (B. L. Horta et al., 2013). Among
the long-term health outcomes, longer exposure to breastfeeding is associated
with 35% reduction of the risk of developing diabetes type II (B. L. Horta et al.,
2015a). Breastfeeding seems to exert a protective effect against obesity develop-
ment in later life, while formula feeding seems to favour high weight gain (B.
Horta et al., 2013). Furthermore, consistent evidence indicates that breastfeed-
ing is associated with positive cognitive outcome. Specifically, the intelligence
quotient in ever breastfed infants has been reported to be 3.4 points higher than
that of never breastfed infants (B. L. Horta et al., 2015b).
trition for healthy term infants and to review the recent articles regarding the
influence of nutrition on gut microbiota and development of diseases later in
life.
Methods
A narrative review of scientific and professional literature was performed us-
ing the world databases such as PubMed and websites of professional organiza-
tions. The keywords used in the search were: infants, nutrition, breast-feeding,
complementary feeding, recommendations, gut microbiota, health, and their
combinations. Inclusion criteria were English language articles published after
2000, with available full text and the appropriate content. Altogether 30 arti-
cles are presented in this narrative review.
Results and discussion
Breastfeeding or formula feeding
Human milk not only provides the perfectly adapted nutritional supply for the
infant but also plays a crucial role in promoting healthy growth and develop-
ment (Mosca & Giannì, 2017). The WHO recommends that infants are exclu-
sively breastfed up to the completion of 6 months, with breastfeeding continu-
ing to be an important part of the diet until the infant is at least 2 years old
(World Health Assembly, 2002). EBF by a healthy mother can meet the nutri-�
ent requirements of healthy-term infants for most nutrients for approximately
6 months, although the lack of evidence from randomized clinical trials sug-
gests that it is not certain whether this applies to all mothers and infants. Some
infants may require additional energy or iron before 6 months (Fewtrell et al.,
2017). Advances in research have clearly indicated several short and long-term
health benefits associated with breastfeeding (Mosca & Giannì, 2017). A sys-
tematic review published in 2016 indicates a strong protective effect of EBF
during the first 6 months against infectious diseases, with an 88% reduction of
mortality in comparison to infants that have never been breastfeed (Victora et
al., 2016). Compelling evidence indicates a major protective role of breastfeed-
ing with regard to the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory infections,
including hospitalization due to these diseases (B. L. Horta et al., 2013). Among
the long-term health outcomes, longer exposure to breastfeeding is associated
with 35% reduction of the risk of developing diabetes type II (B. L. Horta et al.,
2015a). Breastfeeding seems to exert a protective effect against obesity develop-
ment in later life, while formula feeding seems to favour high weight gain (B.
Horta et al., 2013). Furthermore, consistent evidence indicates that breastfeed-
ing is associated with positive cognitive outcome. Specifically, the intelligence
quotient in ever breastfed infants has been reported to be 3.4 points higher than
that of never breastfed infants (B. L. Horta et al., 2015b).
