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- Moltu, Sissel J., et al.
(author)
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Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and brain maturation in preterm infants : a double blind RCT
- 2024
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In: Clinical Nutrition. - : Elsevier. - 0261-5614 .- 1532-1983. ; 43:1, s. 176-186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important structural components of neural cellular membranes and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Very preterm infants are deprived of the enhanced placental supply of these fatty acids, but the benefit of postnatal supplementation on brain development is uncertain. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that early enteral supplementation with ARA and DHA in preterm infants improves white matter (WM) microstructure assessed by diffusion-weighted MRI at term equivalent age.Methods: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, infants born before 29 weeks gestational age were allocated to either 100 mg/kg ARA and 50 mg/kg DHA (ARA:DHA group) or medium chain triglycerides (control). Supplements were started on the second day of life and provided until 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The primary outcome was brain maturation assessed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis.Results: We included 120 infants (60 per group) in the trial; mean (range) gestational age was 26+3 (22+6 - 28+6) weeks and postmenstrual age at scan was 41+3 (39+1 - 47+0) weeks. Ninety-two infants underwent MRI imaging, and of these, 90 had successful T1/T2 weighted MR images and 74 had DTI data of acceptable quality. TBSS did not show significant differences in mean or axial diffusivity between the groups, but demonstrated significantly higher fractional anisotropy in several large WM tracts in the ARA:DHA group, including corpus callosum, the anterior and posterior limb of the internal capsula, inferior occipitofrontal fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. Radial diffusivity was also significantly lower in several of the same WM tracts in the ARA:DHA group.Conclusion: This study suggests that supplementation with ARA and DHA at doses matching estimated fetal accretion rates improves WM maturation compared to control treatment, but further studies are needed to ascertain any functional benefit.Clinical trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov; ID:NCT03555019.
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| 2. |
- van den Akker, Chris H. P., et al.
(author)
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Reevaluating the FDA's warning against the use of probiotics in preterm neonates : a societal statement by ESPGHAN and EFCNI
- 2024
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In: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - JPGN. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0277-2116 .- 1536-4801. ; 78:6, s. 1403-1408
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The recent advisory issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration, cautioning against the routine administration of probiotics in preterm neonates, has sparked a lively debate within the scientific community. This commentary presents a perspective from members of the Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications within the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and other authors who contributed to the ESPGHAN position paper on probiotics for preterm infants, as well as representatives from the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants. We advocate for a more nuanced and supportive approach to the use of certain probiotics in this vulnerable population, balancing the demonstrated benefits and risks.
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| 3. |
- Vandenplas, Yvan, et al.
(author)
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An ESPGHAN position paper on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of cow's milk allergy
- 2024
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In: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - JPGN. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0277-2116 .- 1536-4801. ; 78:2, s. 386-413
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A previous guideline on cow's milk allergy (CMA) developed by the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) was published in 2012. This position paper provides an update on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CMA with focus on gastrointestinal manifestations. All systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding prevalence, pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of CMA published after the previous ESPGHAN document were considered. Medline was searched from inception until May 2022 for topics that were not covered in the previous document. After reaching consensus on the manuscript, statements were formulated and voted on each of them with a score between 0 and 9. A score of ≥6 was arbitrarily considered as agreement. Available evidence on the role of dietary practice in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of CMA was updated and recommendations formulated. CMA in exclusively breastfed infants exists, but is uncommon and suffers from over-diagnosis. CMA is also over-diagnosed in formula and mixed fed infants. Changes in stool characteristics, feeding aversion, or occasional spots of blood in stool are common and in general should not be considered as diagnostic of CMA, irrespective of preceding consumption of cow's milk. Over-diagnosis of CMA occurs much more frequently than under-diagnosis; both have potentially harmful consequences. Therefore, the necessity of a challenge test after a short diagnostic elimination diet of 2–4 weeks is recommended as the cornerstone of the diagnosis. This position paper contains sections on nutrition, growth, cost, and quality of life.
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