Nutr Res Pract.  2020 Jun;14(3):230-241. 10.4162/nrp.2020.14.3.230.

Effect of nutritional supplement formula on catch-up growth in young children with nonorganic faltering growth: a prospective multicenter study

• Shim JO
• Kim S
• Choe BH
• Seo JH
• Yang HR

• KMID: 2502483
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2020.14.3.230

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Inadequate nutrition in infants and young children affects physical growth and neurocognitive development. Therefore, early nutritional intervention is important to promote catch-up growth in young children with faltering growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation with a pediatric concentrated and balanced nutritional supplement formula on promoting growth and improving nutritional status in children with nonorganic faltering growth.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Children aged 12–36 months whose body weight-for-age was < 5th percentile on the Korean Growth Charts were enrolled. Children born premature or having organic diseases were excluded. Children were instructed to consume 400 mL of formula per day in addition to their regular diet for 6 months. Pediatricians and dietitians educated the parents and examined the subjects every 2 months. Anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months, and laboratory tests were done at baseline and 6 months. The good consumption group included children who consumed ≥ 60% of the recommended dose of formula.
RESULTS
Total 82 children completed the 6-month intervention. At baseline, there were no significant differences in all variables between the good consumption and poor consumption groups. Weight and weight z-scores were significantly improved in the good consumption group compared to the poor consumption group at the end of the intervention (P = 0.009, respectively). The good consumption group showed a significant trend for gaining weight (P < 0.05) and weight z-score (P < 0.05) compared to the poor consumption group during 6 months of formula intake. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen was significantly increased in the good consumption group (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Nutritional supplementation with a concentrated and balanced pediatric nutritional formula along with dietary education might be an effective approach to promote catch-up growth in children with nonorganic faltering growth.

Keyword

Failure to thrive; dietary supplements; nutritional support; growth; child

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Generalized estimating equation analysis for the trends in changes of body weight.

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  Fig. 2 Generalized estimating equation analysis for the trends in changes of weight-for-age z-score.

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