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Vitamin D: role in growth and development and recommendations
Vitamin D is one of the key nutrients contributing to normal skeleton development from the very early life stages. A vitamin D level in the body (measured as 25-hydroxy vitamin D in blood serum) of ≥50nmol/L for young children has been defined by most scientific organizations as the optimum threshold for vitamin D status. Since these levels can be achieved with a vitamin D-intake of 15μg/day, this intake has recently in the US been defined as the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
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DHA and AA for premature infants: science and recommendations
In nutrition for premature infants, much interest is currently focusing on the importance of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and more specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The most recent official LCPUFA recommendation for premature infants was issued by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) in 2010. However, the discussion on actual needs is still ongoing, as is illustrated by a recent article by La
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Current updates on childhood nutrition and development
Proceedings of the regional conference on South East Asian Nutrition Surveys held in Indonesia.
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Global targets and nutrition interventions to counter malnutrition
Malnutrition is a global issue in many low and middle income countries, with adolescent and pregnant women and young children being among the most vulnerable groups. In 2014, the decision-making body of World Health Organization (WHO) -World Health Assembly- formulated the ‘Global targets 2025. At the same time, a science-based intervention framework was developed and published by the leading Lancet Nutrition Interventions Review Group. This framework promotes a systematical life stage approac
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Advances in the management of infant colic
Infant colic is a common condition characterized by excessive crying without any obvious cause in an otherwise healthy child. Colic usually presents within the first 3 months of life and, in severe cases, can disrupt feeding and prevent an infant from gaining weight. The underlying cause of colic is not well established.
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The regional conference on South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS)
Programme and abstracts
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Estimates of malnutrition
Stunted linear growth has become the main indicator of childhood undernutrition, because of its prevalence in nearly all low or middle income countries, and its important consequences for health and development. According to 2011 global estimates of the United Nations (UN) more than 165 million children under 5 years (26%) were stunted (HAZ=height-for-age Z score > -2), 100 million children (16%) were underweight (WAZ=weight-for-age Z score > -2) and around 52 million (8%) were wasted (WHZ=weigh
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Challenges in managing gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children
All infants experience gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with the prevalence typically peaking at 4-5 months of age and resolving without intervention by 13-14 months of age. If an otherwise healthy infant (3 weeks–12 months of age) experiences regurgitation, with no retching, haematemesis (blood in vomit), apnoea (temporary stopping of breathing), more than twice per day for over 3 weeks, they may be diagnosed with functional infant regurgitation.
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Introduction to cow’s milk protein allergy
2-7% of babies and toddlers and 0.1-0.5% of adults are allergic to the protein in cow's milk. The duration of the allergy to the cow’s milk protein varies, but most children will have outgrown this allergy by the age of two to three years. Although it is often stated that the number of children with cow’s milk protein allergy is increasing, there is no scientific evidence to support this.
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SEANUTS study design and methodology
The South East Asian Nutrition Survey (referred to as SEANUTS) is the largest and most extensive multi-centric nutrition and health study ever done in Southeast Asia. It was conducted by leading universities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. This study investigated anthropometry, dietary intake, nutritional status, physical activity levels and cognition of 16,744 children between the ages of six months and twelve years, using a randomized multistage cluster design.
