Webinar | Progress in managing infant gastrointestinal function: Dairy science perspectives
The webinar was held on June 22nd, 2020. Watch the recording of prof. Yvan Vandenplas here:
Prof. Yvan Vandenplas is a professor at Kidz Health Castle, University of Hospital Brussels. His main research interests are gastroesophageal reflux, infant nutrition, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), microbiota-related clinical impact in infants, and cow’s milk protein allergy. He has published many original research papers on topics including infant nutrition, gastroesophageal reflux, and FGIDs.
In his presentation, he shared guidelines which emphasize that first-line management of these FGIDs should focus on parental reassurance and nutritional advice. Drug treatment is seldom required. Nutritional advice should stress the benefits of continuing breastfeeding, while for non-breastfed infants suffering from FGIDs, nutritional management may be considered. For management of colic and regurgitation, this will comprise the use of special formula with functional ingredients such as carob bean gum, partially hydrolysed protein and oligosaccharides with prebiotic effects. The use of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)-containing formula for management of constipation might be effective, as studies showed that GOS-containing formula provides lower stool consistency. Medical treatment needs to be postponed as much as possible. The role of healthcare professionals is to always educate and reassure parents, to use nutritional advice to bring reassurance to those parents and to postpone the use of medication.
Watch the recording of Prof. Yannis Manios here:
Prof. Yannis Manios is a professor at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens. His research in human nutrition and preventive medicine primarily focused on children’s optimum nourishment and development, as well as the prevention of obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors from early childhood. He has authored more than 500 papers published in international scientific journals, and received 9 awards for his work from national and international organizations.
In his presentation, he shared the importance of nutritional composition and manufacturing procedures that are critical to ensure the highest quality of infant formula (IF) to support infants’ digestion and growth. Breast milk provides the optimum nourishment for an infant. However, in some cases, when IF is the only nutrient source for infants, its nutritional value is of utmost importance to ensure optimal growth and to support digestion. The use of bovine milk fat in IF increases sn-2 palmitic acid content that leads to reduced excretion of fatty acid soaps and calcium in stools, suggesting a better absorption of fatty acids and calcium in infants’ intestines and also improves the stool consistency. Using high quality milk in infant formula production, applying minimal processing to keep protein quality, and using milk fat, can lead to high bioavailability of amino acids, fat and calcium. This also supports infant growth and lower GI discomfort in infants.
Who? Nutrition and health professionals
Costs? This webinar is provided free of charge by FrieslandCampina Institute
Language? English
Duration? 45 minutes
Accreditation? The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) with 1 CPD point, ADAP (for Dutch dietitians) pending.
Programme
- Welcome and introduction by Dr. Mohamad Miqdady
- Leveraging dairy science for infant digestion, growth and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) by Prof. Yannis Manios
- Pitfalls in management of FGIDs by Prof. Yvan Vandenplas
- Q&A and closing remarks by Dr. Mohamad Miqdady
L-R: Mohamad Miqdady, Yannis Manios, Yvan Vandenplas.
Mohamad Miqdady is American Board-certified in paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, and Division Chief in Paediatric Gastrointestinal, Hepatology & Nutrition Division at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, United Arab Emirates. He completed his Fellowship in paediatric gastroenterology at the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. His main research interests include feeding difficulties, picky eating, obesity, procedural sedation, allergic gastrointestinal disorders, and celiac disease. He has published many research papers and book chapters. He is a member of the Federation of International Societies of Paediatric, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (FISPGHAN) Malnutrition/Obesity Expert Team.