Nutrition

Malnutrition among pediatric patients is an ongoing problem that is often underdiagnosed. A new report examines alternate methods for recognizing malnutrition beyond anthropometric percentiles.

Although nearly 80% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, only 50% of mothers are still breastfeeding at 6 weeks, and less than 15% are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months.

Low vitamin D levels can play a role in sudden, unexplained deaths.

A study conducted in 264 3- to 4-year-old children who were attending daycare in China found that those who drank an experimental follow-up formula (FUF) had fewer and shorter episodes of acute respiratory infection (ARI) than children who consumed an unfortified cow’s milk-based beverage.

Children who eat a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet are 15% less likely to be overweight or obese than children who don’t, researchers reported at the 2014 European Congress on Obesity.

Using guidelines issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), about 1 in every 10 US children is at risk of vitamin D inadequacy and about 1 in 20 is at risk of deficiency, according to a new report. These figures are drastically lower than previous estimates.

The interim final rule on infant formula quality and nutrition announced recently by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will set standards going forward.

There is growing evidence that nutrition may play a role in managing symptoms of autism in some children. Here is a look at the current research supporting these nutritional interventions.

Only 12% of uninsured parents take breastfeeding classes, according to a new poll.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published an interim final rule, revising its infant formula regulations to help ensure the quality of these manufactured foods.

Compared with whites, blacks consistently have lower levels of total vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) and elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (considered a sensitive marker of vitamin D deficiency), often leading to a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency.

Girls approaching puberty may need to avoid a diet high in saturated animal fats to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer later in life.

Does vitamin D reduce acute otitis episodes in children who are prone to them?

Although vitamin D insufficiency is associated with anemia in healthy US children, threshold levels vary with race, a new study finds.

A new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs says that many medicines are safe to use for breastfeeding mothers, but it cautions that the risk for babies of exposure to any drug through breast milk must be evaluated for both the importance of the medication to the mother and the benefits of breastfeeding for the infant.

Preliminary data from a randomized, double-blind trial reveal that giving preterm babies daily supplementation of 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D reduces vitamin insufficiency that may lead to softening and weakening of their bones.

Children with allergies who are treated with food elimination diets are at risk for impaired nutrition and growth compared with their peers, says new research presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology meeting last week in San Antonio, Texas.

Functional foods for post-partum mothers include galactagogues to enhance breast feeding and teas to soothe colic.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is prevalent in 40% of critically ill children, new research has found. Which factors are protective against deficiency? More >>

A reduced-carbohydrate diet led to favorable changes in metabolic parameters in peripubertal black girls who were obese, but did it have any effect on weight loss?

A study comparing 3 weight-loss diets for children with obesity found that all were effective, but some children adhere to certain programs better than others. Which diet appears to be the most promising for long-term weight management?

A new policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its support for exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer after solid foods are introduced as desired by mother and infant.

Stretching infant formula by dilution or reduced feedings exposes babies to serious developmental risks, yet it can be a monthly temptation for families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance. Find out how families forced to resort to formula stretching can be better identified and what other options can be offered to them.

The influenza vaccine?s formulation may be unchanged from last year, but immunity in children can decline precipitously without another dose this year, according to new recommendations. The good news is that kids aged 6 months to 8 years need only 1 dose if they were vaccinated last year; others in that age group will still require 2 doses. Find out what else the new recommendations have to say, especially about immunization for youngsters with egg allergies.

A meta-analysis of 18 case-controlled studies on the relationship between breastfeeding and risk of sudden infant death syndrome revealed that breastfeeding of any duration is protective, especially if the breastfeeding is exclusive.

Although evidence shows that breastfeeding prevents childhood obesity and reduces a mother's risk for breast and ovarian cancers, many hospitals in the United States fail to support breastfeeding.

In a longitudinal cohort study, adolescent girls who ate a diet high in fruits, whole grains, and low-fat diary products had smaller gains in body mass index (BMI) over 10 years than girls with other dietary patterns.

A study of 125 children who had been placed on elimination diets primarily because of a positive serum immunoglobulin E immunoassay result suggests that the answer tot his question is no.

Vitamin E or metformin does not result in sustained reduction of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children and adolescents with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Investigators examined the extent to which introduction of solid foods to infants younger than 4 months is associated with increased risk of obesity at 3 years.