Lactase treated feeds to promote growth and feeding tolerance in preterm infants

Awareness about Neonatal Lactose Intolerance among Chinese Neonatologists in Outpatient Settings: A Multi-Center Survey

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify the specific areas of knowledge gaps regarding lactose intolerance among neonatologists in Chinese outpatient settings as well as to assess the availability of lactose intolerance testing in hospitals.

METHODS

A total of 278 neonatologists in outpatient settings from 144 hospitals were surveyed. To explore the awareness level, diagnosis, and treatment of neonatal lactose intolerance among neonatologists in outpatient settings, a multicenter cross-sectional survey was designed. Descriptive analysis based on frequency and percent distribution was performed for all variables.

RESULTS

Most respondents were senior doctors (256, 92.09%) from general hospitals and maternity/maternal and child health hospitals, had over 10 years of experience, and were dominantly associate chief physicians and chief physicians (211, 75.90%). A significant proportion of the participants (236, 84.89%) believed that neonatal lactose intolerance tends to be overlooked during clinical practice. When the most common symptoms of neonatal lactose intolerance were surveyed, diarrhea was selected by 142 (51.08%) respondents, followed by bloating and milk regurgitation or emesis (71, 25.54%). Other symptoms included unexplained crying (36, 12.85%), stool with milk flap or foam (15, 5.40%), and increased venting (14, 5.04%). Furthermore, the survey results indicated that the most common method for diagnosing neonatal lactose intolerance in the respondents' hospitals was qualitative test for urinary galactose (78, 28.06%). Of the respondents, 137 (49.28%) stated that their hospital could not test for lactose intolerance. For treating lactose intolerance, the neonatologists primarily opted for exogenous lactase rather than lactose-free formula milk.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds light on Chinese neonatologists' awareness of neonatal lactose intolerance, revealing some knowledge gaps. The expeditious popularization and conduct of lactose intolerance-related examinations in hospitals will have a positive stimulative effect on the management of lactose intolerance in newborns.

The effect of milk type and fortification on the growth of low-birthweight infants: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Approximately 15% of infants worldwide are born with low birthweight (<2500 g). These children are at risk for growth failure. The aim of this umbrella review is to assess the relationship between infant milk type, fortification and growth in low-birthweight infants, with particular focus on low- and lower middle-income countries. We conducted a systematic review in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Web of Science comparing infant milk options and growth, grading the strength of evidence based on standard umbrella review criteria. Twenty-six systematic reviews qualified for inclusion. They predominantly focused on infants with very low birthweight (<1500 g) in high-income countries. We found the strongest evidence for (1) the addition of energy and protein fortification to human milk (donor or mother's milk) leading to increased weight gain (mean difference [MD] 1.81 g/kg/day; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23, 2.40), linear growth (MD 0.18 cm/week; 95% CI 0.10, 0.26) and head growth (MD 0.08 cm/week; 95% CI 0.04, 0.12) and (2) formula compared with donor human milk leading to increased weight gain (MD 2.51 g/kg/day; 95% CI 1.93, 3.08), linear growth (MD 1.21 mm/week; 95% CI 0.77, 1.65) and head growth (MD 0.85 mm/week; 95% CI 0.47, 1.23). We also found evidence of improved growth when protein is added to both human milk and formula. Fat supplementation did not seem to affect growth. More research is needed for infants with birthweight 1500-2500 g in low- and lower middle-income countries.

[Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of feeding intolerance in preterm infants (2020)]

Feeding intolerance (FI) is one of the most common clinical problems in preterm infant and often leads to the delay in reaching total enteral nutrition and prolonged hospital stay. The prevention and treatment of FI are of great significance in improving the survival rate of preterm infants. With reference to current evidence in China and overseas, the clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of FI in preterm infants were developed based on Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), so as to help neonatal pediatricians, nursing staff, and nutritionists with early identification and standard management of FI in preterm infants.

[Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of feeding intolerance in preterm infants (2020)]

Feeding intolerance (FI) is one of the most common clinical problems in preterm infant and often leads to the delay in reaching total enteral nutrition and prolonged hospital stay. The prevention and treatment of FI are of great significance in improving the survival rate of preterm infants. With reference to current evidence in China and overseas, the clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of FI in preterm infants were developed based on Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), so as to help neonatal pediatricians, nursing staff, and nutritionists with early identification and standard management of FI in preterm infants.

Feeding Interventions for Infants with Growth Failure in the First Six Months of Life: A Systematic Review

(1) Introduction: Current evidence on managing infants under six months with growth failure or other nutrition-related risk is sparse and low quality. This review aims to inform research priorities to fill this evidence gap, focusing on breastfeeding practices. (2) Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library for studies on feeding interventions that aim to restore or improve the volume or quality of breastmilk and breastfeeding when breastfeeding practices are sub-optimal or prematurely stopped. We included studies from both low- and middle-income countries and high-income countries. (3) Results: Forty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were from high-income countries (n = 35, 74.5%) and included infants who were at risk of growth failure at birth (preterm infants/small for gestational age) and newborns with early growth faltering. Interventions included formula fortification or supplementation (n = 31, 66%), enteral feeds (n = 8, 17%), cup feeding (n = 2, 4.2%), and other (n = 6, 12.8%). Outcomes included anthropometric change (n = 40, 85.1%), reported feeding practices (n = 16, 34%), morbidity (n = 11, 23.4%), and mortality (n = 5, 10.6%). Of 31 studies that assessed formula fortification or supplementation, 30 reported anthropometric changes (n = 17 no effect, n = 9 positive, n = 4 mixed), seven morbidity (n = 3 no effect, n = 2 positive, n = 2 negative), five feeding (n = 2 positive, n = 2 no effect, n = 1 negative), and four mortality (n = 3 no effect, n = 1 negative). Of eight studies that assessed enteral feed interventions, seven reported anthropometric changes (n = 4 positive, n = 3 no effect), five feeding practices (n = 2 positive, n = 2 no effect, n = 1 negative), four morbidity (n = 4 no effect), and one reported mortality (n = 1 no effect). Overall, interventions with positive effects on feeding practices were cup feeding compared to bottle-feeding among preterm; nasogastric tube feed compared to bottle-feeding among low birth weight preterm; and early progressive feeding compared to delayed feeding among extremely low birth weight preterm. Bovine/cow milk feeding and high volume feeding interventions had an unfavourable effect, while electric breast pump and Galactagogue had a mixed effect. Regarding anthropometric outcomes, overall, macronutrient fortified formula, cream supplementation, and fortified human milk formula had a positive effect (weight gain) on preterm infants. Interventions comparing human breastmilk/donor milk with formula had mixed effects. Overall, only human milk compared to formula intervention had a positive effect on morbidity among preterm infants, while none of the interventions had any positive effect on mortality. Bovine/cow milk supplementation had unfavourable effects on both morbidity and mortality. (4) Conclusion: Future research should prioritise low- and middle-income countries, include infants presenting with growth failure in the post-neonatal period and record effects on morbidity and mortality outcomes.

Evidence that informs feeding practices in very low birthweight and very preterm infants in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Optimal feeding of very low birthweight (VLBW <1500 g)/very preterm (gestation <32 weeks) infants in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) is critical to reducing high mortality and poor outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To review evidence on feeding of VLBW/very preterm infants relevant to sSA.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) from inception to July 2019 to identify reviews of randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of feeding VLBW/very preterm infants. We focused on interventions that are readily available in sSA. Primary outcomes were weight gain during hospital stay and time to achieve full enteral feeds (120 mL/kg/day). Secondary outcomes were growth, common morbidities, mortality, duration of hospital stay and cognitive development. Quality of evidence (QOE) was assessed using the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2).

RESULTS

Eight systematic reviews were included. Higher feed volume of day 1 (80 mL/kg) reduced late-onset sepsis and time to full enteral feeds, and higher feed volume (up to 300 mL/kg/day) improved weight gain without adverse events (QOE: low-moderate). Rapid advancement of feeds (30-40 mL/kg/day) was not associated with harm. Breast milk fortification with energy and protein increased growth and with prebiotics increased growth and reduced duration of admission (QOE: low-very low) and did not result in harm. Evidence regarding feeding tube placement and continuous versus bolus feeds was insufficient to draw conclusions. We found no reviews meeting our selection criteria regarding when to start feeds, use of preterm formula, cup-and-spoon feeding or gravity versus push feeds and none of the reviews included trials from low-income countries of sSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence base informing feeding of VLBW/very preterm babies in resource-limited settings in sSA is extremely limited. Pragmatic studies are needed to generate evidence to guide management and improve outcomes for these highly vulnerable infants.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019140204.

The Importance of Lactose in the Human Diet: Outcomes of a Mexican Consensus Meeting

Lactose is a unique component of breast milk, many infant formulas and dairy products, and is widely used in pharmaceutical products. In spite of that, its role in human nutrition or lactose intolerance is generally not well-understood. For that reason, a 2-day-long lactose consensus meeting with health care professionals was organized in Mexico to come to a set of statements for which consensus could be gathered. Topics ranging from lactase expression to potential health benefits of lactose were introduced by experts, and that was followed by a discussion on concept statements. Interestingly, lactose does not seem to induce a neurological reward response when consumed. Although lactose digestion is optimal, it supplies galactose for liver glycogen synthesis. In infants, it cannot be ignored that lactose-derived galactose is needed for the synthesis of glycosylated macromolecules. At least beyond infancy, the low glycemic index of lactose might be metabolically beneficial. When lactase expression decreases, lactose maldigestion may lead to lactose intolerance symptoms. In infancy, the temporary replacing of lactose by other carbohydrates is only justified in case of severe intolerance symptoms. In those who show an (epi)genetic decrease or absence of lactase expression, a certain amount (for adults mostly up to 12 g per portion) of lactose can still be consumed. In these cases, lactose shows beneficial intestinal-microbiota-shaping effects. Avoiding lactose-containing products may imply a lower intake of other important nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin B12 from dairy products, as well as an increased intake of less beneficial carbohydrates.

Inflammatory signals that regulate intestinal epithelial renewal, differentiation, migration and cell death: Implications for necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a disease entity with multiple proposed pathways of pathogenesis. Various combinations of these risk factors, perhaps based on genetic predisposition, possibly lead to the mucosal and epithelial injury that is the hallmark of NEC. Intestinal epithelial integrity is controlled by a tightly regulated balance between proliferation and differentiation of epithelium from intestinal epithelial stem cells and cellular loss by apoptosis. various signaling pathways play a key role in creating and maintaining this balance. The aim of this review article is to outline intestinal epithelial barrier development and structure and the impact of these inflammatory signaling and regulatory pathways as they pertain to the pathogenesis of NEC.