Prevalence and dietetic management of mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 248 - 254
• Main Authors: Infante Pina, D, Badia Llach, X, Ariño-Armengol, B, Villegas Iglesias, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Unit of Gastroenterology and Nutrition,Children Hospital Vall d'Hebron,Autonomous University,Barcelona,Spain%Health Outcomes Research Europe,Barcelona,Spain%CHIESI Espa(n)a,Barcelona,Spain 14.01.2008; The WJG Press and Baishideng
• Subjects: Animals; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases - diet therapy; Gastrointestinal Diseases - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula - administration & dosage; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk; Patient Satisfaction; Prevalence; Rapid Communication; 轻度胃肠功能紊乱; 饮食管理; Mild gastrointestinal disorders; Prevalence; Effectiveness; Adapted infant formulas; Satisfaction
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.248

AIM： To assess the prevalence of mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants in paediatric practice, and to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction with dietetic treatment. METHODS： A cross-sectional epidemiological study was first carried out. A total of 285 paediatricians included 3487 children seen during a period of one week. In a second phase an observational, prospective and multicentre study was conducted and 2069 milkfed infants with mild gastrointestinal disorders （colic, constipation, regurgitation and diarrhoea） were included. There was a baseline visit （start of treatment） and a final visit four weeks later. The effectiveness of the various Novalac formulas, as well as the satisfaction of the parents/tutors and paediatricians with the dietetic treatment were assessed at the final visit. RESULTS： The prevalence of mild gastrointestinal disorders was 27.8% of all paediatrician consultations （9.2%, 7.8% , 6.1% and 4.6% in relation to colic, constipation, regurgitation and diarrhoea, respectively）. The several Novalac adapted milk formulas resolved 88.4% of the mild gastrointestinal disorders. Depending on the type of disorder, differences in response rate were observed. The highest effectiveness was recorded with respect to diarrhoea （92.6%）, followed by constipation （91.6%）, colic （87.6%） and regurgitation （81%）. Overall, 91% of the paediatricians and 88.8% of the parents/ tutors were satisfied or very satisfied with the Novalac adapted milk formulas. CONCLUSION： Mild gastrointestinal disorders show a high prevalence in paediatric practice. The Novalac adapted milk formulas have been shown to be effective in treating mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants in the context of routine clinical practice.