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A comparison of iron absorption in adults and infants consuming identical infant formulas.

Fe absorption was estimated in adults and infants from the erythrocyte incorporation of Fe isotopes added to infant formula. Fe absorption was measured in adults using radioisotopes, and in infants with a stable-isotope technique. In adults, the geometric mean Fe absorption from a ready-to-feed soya formula with its native phytic acid content was 2.4%. This increased to 6.0% (P < 0.05) after almost complete dephytinization. In infants, mean Fe absorption values were 3.9 and 8.7% respectively from the same products (P < 0.05). In adults, mean Fe absorption from a spray-dried soya formula containing 110 mg ascorbic acid/l was 4.1%, increasing to 5.3% (P < 0.05) when ascorbic acid was doubled to 220 mg/l. In infants, mean Fe absorption values were 5.7 and 9.5% (P < 0.05) from the same products. Mean Fe absorption from a milk-based formula was 6.5% in adults compared with 6.7% in infants. All meals in the adult and infant studies were fed using an identical meal size of 217 g. Increasing the meal size threefold in adults did not change fractional Fe absorption. Mean Fe absorption values for each meal were lower in adults than in infants but the relative inhibitory effect of phytic acid and the enhancing effect of ascorbic acid were similar. We conclude that Fe absorption studies in adults can be used to assess the influence of enhancers and inhibitors of Fe absorption in infant formulas fed to infants. Further studies, however, are required to extend these findings to weaning foods and complete meals.

Adult↗

Lower calcium absorption in infants fed casein hydrolysate- and soy protein-based infant formulas containing palm olein versus formulas without palm olein.

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative balance studies were performed to compare fat and calcium absorption in healthy, full term infants fed casein hydrolysate-based (CHF) and soy protein-based (SPF) infant formulas with or without palm olein (PO). Previous studies have reported that PO significantly reduced absorption of both fat and calcium in cow's milk-based formulas in which most of the calcium is inherent in the milk protein. In both SPF and CHF virtually all calcium is added as calcium salts. METHODS: Two randomized, blinded, crossover balance studies were conducted in normal term infants using a three-day home balance method. One study evaluated 10 infants fed commercially available CHF with or without PO, and the other study evaluated 12 infants fed commercially available SPF with or without PO. Fat and calcium absorption were determined based on the weight of formula intake, weight of stools, and measured calcium and fat in formula and stools. RESULTS: Fat and calcium intake did not differ between the groups fed CHF. However, infant's calcium and fat absorption was less, 41 +/- 6% (Mean +/- SEM) and 92.0 +/- 0.8%, respectively, when fed CHF with PO compared to 66 +/- 5% and 96.6 +/- 1.1%, respectively, when fed CHF without PO, (p < 0.01). For infants fed SPF, fat and calcium intake did not differ between the feeding groups. Mean calcium absorption was also significantly less when infants were fed SPF with PO, 22 +/- 3%, than when fed SPF with no PO, 37 +/- 4% (p < 0.05). Fat absorption did not differ between the two SPFs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that PO, as the predominant fat, is associated with significantly lower absorption of calcium from infant formulas in which calcium salts are the source of calcium. These findings corroborate previous reports of this negative effect of PO in cow milk-based infant formulas in which most of the calcium is a component of the cow milk protein source.

Calcium↗

Elevated CD8+DR+ lymphocytes in HIV-exposed infants with early positive HIV cultures: a possible early marker of intrauterine transmission. Women and Infants Transmission Study Group.

The associations among timing of maternal-fetal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, infant age at first positive HIV culture, and CD8+ lymphocyte activation were examined for 74 perinatally infected infants. Nineteen of the infected infants had positive HIV cultures at < or =7 days of life, and 55 had negative HIV cultures at < or =7 days but were positive later. Of the infants with early positive HIV-1 cultures, 15 of the 17 tested with DNA polymerase chain reaction methods had concordant results. The percentage of CD8+ and HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (CD8+DR+%) during the first week of life was significantly higher in infants with early compared with late positive cultures (median CD8+DR+% of 5.0% versus 2.0%, p = 0.0006). The CD8+DR+% was similar between uninfected infants and infants with late positive cultures during the first week of life (median 2%) but increased in infants with late positive cultures to 6% by 1 month. The CD4+% during the first 6 months of life was not different between infants with early or with late positive cultures, but infants with the highest CD8+DR+% at < or =7 days of life had significantly lower CD4+% at < or =7 days and at 1, 2, and 4 months of age. These data show that early CD8+ lymphocyte activation is associated with early positive HIV cultures and lower CD4+ percentages during early infancy and are consistent with the hypothesis that early positive cultures positivity may indicate in utero HIV infection.

Biomarkers↗

The intestinal microflora of infants: fecal flora of infants with vitamin K deficiency.

The fecal flora of 10 infants with vitamin K deficiency (VKD) and 10 healthy infants was examined. All the infants were breast-fed. In the infants with VKD, the total counts (P less than 0.01) and the numbers of bifidobacteria (P less than 0.001) were lower than in the healthy infants, whereas bacteroides, veillonella and enterococci were present in greater numbers in the feces of infants with VKD. The incidence of the Bacteroides fragilis group was higher (P less than 0.05) in the infants with VKD than in the healthy infants. A significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in Bifidobacterium breve was shown in the infants with VKD. The data emphasize the abnormal flora in infants with VKD.

Feces↗

Trends of infant mortality in Hong Kong (1956-90) and evaluation of preventable infant deaths.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the time trends for infant mortality in Hong Kong and aims to develop statistical models that can be used to predict changes of infant mortality in places already having low levels of infant mortality. METHODOLOGY: Data on births and deaths of infants in Hong Kong during the years 1956-90 were analysed annually as well as by aggregating the data into seven consecutive quinquennia. To assess the contribution of preventable infant deaths, causes for infant deaths were classified into two broad categories: (i) congenital anomalies; and (ii) preventable diseases. A simple linear regression model was used to analyse the time trend of the mortality rate of the preventable diseases (PIMR) over the seven quinquennia. RESULTS: During the period 1956-90, the infant mortality rate fell from 60.9 in 1956-5.9 per 1000 in 1990 and the neonatal mortality rate fell from 24.2-3.8 per 1000. There was no clear time trend observed for infant mortality of congenital anomalies. However, the time trend for PIMR (log scale) was very close to a straight line and simple linear regression modelling showed a R2 of 0.9970. CONCLUSION: As the infant mortality rate (IMR) falls to below 30 per 1000, the further rate of decrease becomes less predictable from the regression model of the IMR. By removing the portion of deaths attributable to congenital anomalies, the further decrease in infant mortality became more predictable down to very low levels of IMR.

Cause of Death↗

Rapid diagnosis of pertussis in young infants: comparison of culture, PCR, and infant's and mother's serology.

The contribution of maternal pertussis serology comparing prepartum serum to serum collected during the infant's disease to the diagnosis of pertussis in infants was evaluated for 28 pairs of young infants with pertussis syndrome and their mothers and was compared to those of culture and PCR. Infants had a nasopharyngeal aspiration tested by PCR, and acute and convalescent sera were collected during their disease. Mothers had a first acute serum collected concomitantly with the infant's acute serum, and both acute sera were compared to a prepartum serum. Sera were analyzed by immunoblotting for the detection of anti-pertussis toxin (PT) antibodies. Serological evidence of pertussis in infants was assessed as either an increase in anti-PT antibody levels between the mother's prepartum and acute sera or the presence of antibodies in the infant's acute serum and their absence in both the mother's acute and prepartum sera. Culture and PCR sensitivity were 43 and 89%, respectively. Most infants (18 of 24) had no pertussis antibody detectable in their acute sera, confirming a delayed immune response at this age. A comparison of infant's and mother's serology, using prepartum serum, rapidly confirmed the diagnosis in 57% of the cases. Although less sensitive than PCR, this serological method should be used for a rapid diagnosis of pertussis in young infants when culture and PCR are either not available or negative.

Adult↗

[Comparison of the behavior of full-term infant mothers and premature infant mothers during an interaction with their babies].

Studies on the first interactions have permitted the identification of both mother and the infant competences. But we have observed that in the case of a preterm birth, the infant's competences are in a large way transformed. In this situation, the mother has to adjust her own competences to the preterm infant's decreased response level. We studied 10 full term mother-infant and 10 preterm mother-infant dyads on videotapes and observed non-verbal and verbal behavioral differences between the two samples. We noted differing characteristics in postures, gaze, gesture, mimics, as well as in speech addressed to the infants. These observations have permitted a better comprehension of the way in which full term infant mothers interact with their babies, through anticipation on the corporal level as well as on the verbal level of the infant's activity. In contrast, the preterm infant mothers do not anticipate the infant's behavior, but rather stimulate him in a continuous way.

Child Behavior↗

Enteral antibiotics for preventing necrotising enterocolitis in low birthweight or preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Necrotising enterocolitis continues to be a problem, particularly in preterm neonates. There have been reports published suggesting that the use of enteral antibiotics may be effective as prophylaxis. This systematic review was undertaken to clarify the issue. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefits and harms of enteral antibiotic prophylaxis for necrotising enterocolitis in low birth weight and preterm infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches were made of the Oxford Database of Perinatal trials, MEDLINE (search terms: necrotizing enterocolitis, antibiotics; LIMITS: newborn infant), previous reviews with cross references, abstracts, conference and symposia proceedings, expert informants and journal handsearching in the fields of Neonatal Pediatrics and Microbiology. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials where enteral antibiotics were used as prophylaxis against NEC in LBW (<2500g) and/or preterm (<37 weeks gestation) infants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The standard method of the Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group was used. The methodological quality of each trial was reviewed by the second author who was blinded to the trial authors and institutions. Each author extracted data separately before comparison and resolution of differences. Relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD), and number needed to treat were used in the analysis. MAIN RESULTS: The administration of prophylactic enteral antibiotics resulted in a statistically significant reduction in NEC [RR 0.47 (0.23, 0.98); RD -0.072 (-0.136, -0.008); NNT 13.9 (7.4, 125)]. There was a reduction in NEC-related deaths which was of borderline statistical significance [RR 0.16 (0.02, 1.26); RD -0.097 (-0.183, -0.010); NNT 10.3 (5.46, 100)]. There were no significant differences in all deaths (one trial only) or in NEC-like enteropathies (one trial only). There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of colonisation with resistant bacteria [RR 1.73 (1.00, 2. 97); RD 0.123 (0.008, 0.238); NNT 8.1 (4.2, 125)]. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of enteral antibiotic prophylaxis for NEC in clinical practice. To address this question further, a large trial would be required with a sample size sufficient to examine all the important benefits and harms. Adverse outcomes associated with infection, particularly with resistant bacteria, should be evaluated.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Vitamin E status in preterm infants fed human milk or infant formula.

Vitamin E status was assessed in 36 infants with birth weights less than 1500 gm who were assigned randomly to receive one of three sources of nutrition: milk obtained from mothers of preterm infants (preterm milk), mature human milk, or infant formula. Infants in each dietary group were further assigned randomly to receive iron supplementation (2 mg/kg/day) beginning at 2 weeks or to receive no iron supplementation. All infants received a standard multivitamin, providing 4.1 mg alpha-tocopherol daily. Serum vitamin E concentrations at 6 weeks were significantly related both to type of milk (P less than 0.0001) and to iron supplementation (P less than 0.05). Infants fed preterm milk had significantly higher serum vitamin E levels than did infants fed mature human milk, and both groups had significantly higher levels than did those fed formula. Ratios of serum vitamin E/total lipid were also significantly greater for infants fed human milks than for those fed formula. The addition of iron to all three diets resulted in significantly lower serum vitamin E levels at 6 weeks (P less than 0.05); however, only in the group fed formula was there evidence of vitamin E deficiency. Preterm milk with routine multivitamin supplementation uniformly resulted in vitamin E sufficiency in VLBW infants whether or not iron was administered.

Dietary Fats↗

Short-term morbidity and infant mortality among infants who slept supine at 1 month of age--a follow-up report.

Following evidence that prone sleeping is causally related to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), intervention campaigns to avoid prone sleeping in many countries have led to a large reduction in SIDS and total infant mortality. The supine position has been recommended for healthy infants in several countries. The objective of this report was to determine how usual sleep position at 1 month relates to morbidity indicators at 1 month and 12 weeks and to SIDS and postneonatal mortality using a prospective population-based live birth cohort in Tasmania, Australia. Eligible infants were the one-fifth of Tasmanian live births at higher risk of SIDS using a perinatal score. From 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1995, 9826 (89% of eligible) infants participated in the home interview. Fifty-three eligible infants died of SIDS, 51 (96%) with hospital interview data and 35 (81% of those eligible for home visit) with home visit data. The main outcome measures were SIDS, postneonatal mortality and parentally reported infant morbidity. The postneonatal mortality rates (cases per 1000 live births) by usual sleep position at 1 month of age were supine 1.60 [95% CI 0.04, 8.87], side 2.87 [1.79, 4.35], prone 10.27 [5.62, 17.18] and other (including no usual position) 6.37 [0.16, 34.98]. None of the study infants who slept supine died of SIDS at a later time. Of 25 morbidity indicators studied, only noisy breathing was increased for supine compared with side-sleeping babies. In this study, there was no evidence to suggest that supine sleeping at 1 month of age was associated with an increase in important short-term morbidity or postneonatal mortality. These findings provide further support for the recent recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics that healthy infants should preferably sleep in the supine position.

Analysis of Variance↗

Home monitoring for infants at risk of the sudden infant death syndrome.

This study evaluates the effectiveness and social implications of home monitoring of 31 infants at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Thirteen siblings of children dying of SIDS, nine near miss SIDS infants and nine preterm infants with apnoea persisting beyond 40 weeks post conceptual age were monitored from a mean age of 15 days to a mean of 10 months. Chest movement detection monitors were used in 27 and thoracic impedance monitors in four. Genuine apnoeic episodes were reported by 21 families, and 13 infants required resuscitation. Apnoeic episodes occurred in all nine preterm infants but in only five (38%) of the siblings of SIDS (P less than 0.05). Troublesome false alarms were a major problem occurring with 61% of the infants and were more common with the preterm infants than the siblings of SIDS. All but two couples stated that the monitor decreased anxiety and improved their quality of life. Most parents accepted that the social restrictions imposed by the monitor were part of the caring process but four couples were highly resentful of the changes imposed on their lifestyle. The monitors used were far from ideal with malfunction occurring in 17, necessitating replacement in six, repair in six and cessation of monitoring in three. The parents became ingenious in modifying the monitors to their own individual requirements. Although none of these 31 'at risk' infants died the study sample was far too small to conclude whether home monitoring prevented any cases of SIDS.

Apnea↗

Absence of ventilatory responses to alternating breaths of mild hypoxia and air in infants who have had bronchopulmonary dysplasia: implications for the risk of sudden infant death.

Infants who have had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Because failure of the cardiorespiratory response to hypoxia is suggested to play a key role in sudden infant death syndrome, we tested the hypothesis that infants who have had BPD have a reduced respiratory chemoreflex response to hypoxia. We examined the reflex respiratory responses to breath-by-breath alternations in fractional inspired oxygen concentration in eight infants who had had BPD (mean gestation = 27 wk, mean postnatal age = 93 d) who were no longer on supplemental oxygen and compared the responses with those of 12 preterm infants who had not required supplemental oxygen or been mechanically ventilated since birth (mean gestation = 30 wk, mean postnatal age = 38 d). For test runs we alternated fractional inspired oxygen concentration through two gas delivery lines between 0.21 and 0.16 on a breath-by-breath basis, and for control runs we alternated the inspirate between the two gas lines with a fractional inspired oxygen concentration of 0.21 in each. Respiration was measured using inductance plethysmography infants with BPD showed no significant differences between test and control responses for any respiratory variable. In contrast, all respiratory variables in the preterm infants showed test responses significantly greater than control. We speculate that the "blunted" chemoreflex respiratory response seen in infants with BPD may predispose them to subsequent respiratory failure, but we do not known which component of the chemoreflex is impaired.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Cardiorespiratory stability of premature and term infants carried in infant slings.

OBJECTIVE: Parents in industrialized societies make increasing use of infant slings to carry their infants. This study was conducted to determine whether infants who are carried in slings are at risk of experiencing clinically relevant changes in cardiorespiratory measurements. METHODS: In a 3-period crossover trial, 24 preterm and 12 term newborns were continually monitored while being carried horizontally or vertically in a sling or lying in a pram. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, nasal airflow, abdominal breathing, and movements were recorded. RESULTS: Infants who were carried in slings were not at risk of clinically relevant changes of oxygen saturation or heart rate. The 90% confidence interval of oxygen saturation in both infant sling positions remained within a +/-2% interval around the average oxygen saturation in the pram. However, a significant decrease of oxygen saturation was observed while infants were carried in a sling with a mean oxygen saturation of 96.3% (standard deviation [SD]: 1.8) in the vertical and 96.1% (SD: 2.0) in the horizontal sling position compared with the mean oxygen saturation in the pram (97.1%; SD: 1.5). The degree and the incidence of desaturations and bradycardia did not change while the infants were carried. Both types of episodes were seen only in preterm infants. CONCLUSION: The use of carrying slings is not associated with an increased risk of clinically relevant cardiorespiratory changes in term and preterm infants.

Bradycardia↗

Cree infant care practices and sudden infant death syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To identify contemporary Cree infant care practices and any risk factors associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. METHODS: A questionnaire conducted and recorded in the homes of 70 Cree women (83% of sample available) with infants under 12 months of age, living full time on a Cree reserve. Participatory observation was also used with mothers who agreed to demonstrate certain features of Cree infant care. FINDINGS: 70% of mothers initiated breast-feeding and 43% nursed from 6 to 15 months. Cree infants are tightly swaddled and placed in a supine position for sleeping. Prenatal care is seldom utilized because of cultural beliefs that planning ahead constitutes bad luck during birth or results in deformed infants. CONCLUSIONS: Existing infant care practices include several that are considered protective to an infant in terms of reducing vulnerability to SIDS. Swaddling infants in very warm houses and smoking during pregnancy could contribute to a higher SIDS incidence.

Adolescent↗

Decreased bone mineral content in small-for-gestational-age infants compared with appropriate-for-gestational-age infants: normal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and decreasing parathyroid hormone.

Bone mineral content was determined by photon absorptiometry, adapted for use in neonates, in 23 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants of 31 to 42 weeks of gestational age, for 12 weeks. At birth, term SGA infants had lower bone mineral content than term appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants; postnatal increase in bone mineral content was slow and lagged significantly behind that of term AGA infants. Preterm SGA infants had bone mineral content that was similar to that of preterm AGA infants at birth; postnatal bone mineral content was similar to that of preterm AGA infants, but was decreased compared with the expected intrauterine bone mineral content. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and parathyroid hormone levels were the same for SGA and AGA infants. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations decreased slightly with postnatal age and remained within normal limits. Serum parathyroid hormone concentrations decreased in both SGA and AGA infants and reached undetectable levels at 10 to 12 weeks of age.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2↗

Changing outcome for infants of birth-weight 500-999 g born outside level 3 centres in Victoria. The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study Group.

The aim of this study of extremely low birth-weight (ELBW, birth weight 500-999 g) infants born in Victoria was to determine the changes between 3 distinct eras; 1979-80, 1985-87, and 1991-2, in the proportions who were born outside level 3 perinatal centres (outborn), the proportions of outborn infants who were transferred after birth to a level 3 neonatal unit, the survival rate for outborn infants, and sensorineural impairment and disability rates in outborn survivors. The proportion of ELBW livebirths who were outborn fell significantly over successive eras, from 30.2% (106 of 351) in 1979-80, to 23.0% (129 of 560) in 1985-87, and to 15.6% (67 of 429) in 1991-92. Between 1979-80 and 1985-87, the proportions who were outborn fell predominantly in those of birth-weight from 800-999 g, whereas between 1985-87 and 1991-92 the proportions who were outborn fell predominantly in those of birth weight 500-799 g. The proportions of outborn infants who were transferred after birth to a level 3 neonatal unit were similar in the 3 eras, at 49.1%, 38.0% and 41.2%, respectively. The survival rates for outborn infants were lower in each era than for infants born in a level 3 perinatal centre. Only 1 outborn infant not transferred after birth to a level-3 unit survived in any era. The survival rates for infants transferred after birth were similar in the first 2 eras, but rose significantly in 1991-92 (34.6%, 36.7% and 60.7%, respectively). The rates of sensorineural impairments and disabilities in survivors fell significantly between the first 2 eras, and remained low in the last era. It is pleasing that the proportion of tiny babies who were outborn fell significantly over time, reflecting increased referral of high-risk mothers to level 3 perinatal centres before birth. For ELBW outborn infants, survival prospects free of substantial disability are reasonable, but not as good as for those born in level 3 perinatal centres.

Birth Weight↗

Evolution of the E2 region of hepatitis C virus in an infant infected by mother-to-infant transmission.

To demonstrate vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus from an HCV infected woman and to assess the evolution of HCV quasispecies in the infant, the variable E2 region was analyzed in one mother-infant pair at birth and in serial samples from the infected baby. Sequence analysis of the E2 region obtained by means of direct sequencing of PCR products of mother-infant pair at birth, showed that the sequence of the dominant strain in the infant was related closely but not identical to that of her mother. The HCV population in mother-infant pair at birth and in serial samples of the infant was analyzed by polymerase-chain reaction-mediated Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism analysis (SSCP), which can distinguish DNA fragments of the same size as different electrophoretic migration of single stranded DNA. Single Strand Polymorphism analysis revealed that the infant was infected with two mutant genomes whereas the mother had a unique variant. The prevalent strain detected in the baby was not dominant in the mother at delivery and the pattern of quasispecies in the infant at birth was not the same as her mother, suggesting that the infant acquired the infection in utero. Changes in the dominant strain and evolution of the pattern of quasispecies in the infant from the 10th month of age were possibly due to the immune selection of escape mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mother-infant and father-infant attachment among alcoholic families.

This study examined the association between fathers' alcoholism and other risk factors such as parental depression, family conflict, infant temperament, and parent-infant attachment. The quality of parent-infant interactions was hypothesized to be a proximal mediator of the associations among alcoholism and other risk factors and attachment. The participants were 223 families (104 nonalcoholic families and 119 alcoholic families) with 12-month-old infants recruited through birth records. Infants in families with two parents with alcohol problem had significantly higher rates of insecure attachment with both parents. Structural Equations Modeling indicated that the fathers' alcohol problem was associated with lower paternal sensitivity (higher negative affect, lower positive engagement, and lower sensitive responding) during father-infant play interactions, and this in tum was associated with higher risk for infant attachment insecurity with fathers. The association between the fathers' alcohol problem and infant attachment security with the mother was mediated by matemal depression, and matemal alcohol problems and family conflict were associated with maternal sensitivity during play interactions. These results indicate that the fathers' alcoholism is associated with higher family risk including the quality of the parent-infant relationship; infant attachment develops in a family context; and this context has a significant association with attachment security.

Adult↗