Recent Research of Interest (Long!)

On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 18:22:32 +1000, Chookie
wrote:

Introduction of food during the infant's first year: a study with emphasis on
introduction of gluten and of egg, fish and peanut in allergy-risk families
Acta Paediatrica April 2004, vol. 93, no. 4, pp. 464-470(7)
Odijk J.v.; Hulthén L.; Ahlstedt S.; Borres M.

Abstract:
Aim: The aim of the current study was to retrospectively examine introduction
of food during the first year in a representative sample of Swedish children.
A secondary aim was to study how parents with history of atopy introduced food
to their infants. Methods: Data derive from 467 infants who visited child
health centres in three different counties in Sweden for health check-up at 12
mo of age. The parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire about
breastfeeding and/or formula feeding, time of introduction of weaning food
focusing on cow's milk, follow-on formula, porridge, fish and egg. Questions
regarding hypersensitivity in the family, peanut consumption of mother as well
as in the child, and questions about number of siblings, ethnic background and
parental education were included. Results: Compliance with suggested
introduction of gluten-containing food was low; as many as 45% had avoided
gluten until 6 mo of age, instead of introducing gluten between 4 and 6 mo.
Only 33% of parents with stated family hypersensitivity avoided giving their
child fish and 23% avoided egg during the first year, even though this
recommendation was present at the time of the study. Almost 50% of all mothers
had avoided peanuts during pregnancy even though there was no such advice. The
avoidance of peanut was not connected to hypersensitivity in the family.

Conclusion: These results suggest that time of introduction of gluten was not
in accordance with the current recommendation. The results imply that there is
a need to follow up if and how this feeding information is distributed to
parents with infants and also to sharpen the information to the right target
groups, otherwise implementation of preventive strategies will be less useful.

Well, I found this interesting (I found them all interesting, thanks
for posting it!). The WHO advises exclusive breastfeeding till 6
months, which would tie in with avoiding gluten until at least 6
months!
--
Linz
YB: 5 months, 17lbs

Chookie wrote:

Results: Compliance with suggested
introduction of gluten-containing food was low; as many as 45% had avoided
gluten until 6 mo of age, instead of introducing gluten between 4 and 6 mo.

Since the WHO recommends no solids before 6 months, and the "allergic
baby" sequence (and the study babies were allergic babies) says
gluten-containing grains are 9-month-old foods, I don't see failure to
comply with the study suggestion as such a bad thing.

Phoebe

I have also read studies that said specifically in regard to gluten
that it is important to continue breast milk for at lease 3 to 4
months after introducing gluten to avoid problems

Larry

Linz writes:
: On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 18:22:32 +1000, Chookie
: wrote:

:Introduction of food during the infant's first year: a study with emphasis on
:introduction of gluten and of egg, fish and peanut in allergy-risk families
:Acta Paediatrica April 2004, vol. 93, no. 4, pp. 464-470(7)
:Odijk J.v.; Hulthén L.; Ahlstedt S.; Borres M.
:
:Abstract:
:Aim: The aim of the current study was to retrospectively examine introduction
:of food during the first year in a representative sample of Swedish children.
:A secondary aim was to study how parents with history of atopy introduced food
:to their infants. Methods: Data derive from 467 infants who visited child
:health centres in three different counties in Sweden for health check-up at 12
:mo of age. The parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire about
:breastfeeding and/or formula feeding, time of introduction of weaning food
:focusing on cow's milk, follow-on formula, porridge, fish and egg. Questions
:regarding hypersensitivity in the family, peanut consumption of mother as well
:as in the child, and questions about number of siblings, ethnic background and
:parental education were included. Results: Compliance with suggested
:introduction of gluten-containing food was low; as many as 45% had avoided
:gluten until 6 mo of age, instead of introducing gluten between 4 and 6 mo.
:Only 33% of parents with stated family hypersensitivity avoided giving their
:child fish and 23% avoided egg during the first year, even though this
:recommendation was present at the time of the study. Almost 50% of all mothers
:had avoided peanuts during pregnancy even though there was no such advice. The
:avoidance of peanut was not connected to hypersensitivity in the family.
:
:Conclusion: These results suggest that time of introduction of gluten was not
:in accordance with the current recommendation. The results imply that there is
:a need to follow up if and how this feeding information is distributed to
:parents with infants and also to sharpen the information to the right target
:groups, otherwise implementation of preventive strategies will be less useful.

: Well, I found this interesting (I found them all interesting, thanks
: for posting it!). The WHO advises exclusive breastfeeding till 6
: months, which would tie in with avoiding gluten until at least 6
: months!
: --
: Linz
: YB: 5 months, 17lbs