title: Cereal feeding and its impact on the nitrogen economy of the infant.
abstract: To quantify the effect of rice cereal on nitrogen balance and fecal nitrogen excretion, and the contribution of endogenous nitrogen sources to fecal nitrogen output, nine infants aged 3-5 mo received [15N]glycine in all feedings. Samples of urine and feces were obtained daily and analyzed for nitrogen and 15N. On days 1-7 the infants received only formula, and a complete urine and fecal collection was made on days 6-7. From days 8 to 12 the formula was supplemented with rice cereal (133.3 g/L, or 4 g/30 mL formula) and a second complete urine and fecal collection was made on days 11-12. Cereal did not alter fecal nitrogen output or the calculated contribution (45%) of endogenous nitrogen to fecal nitrogen. Cereal did increase nitrogen retention and lower the urinary excretion of the 15N dose (24% of dose). The calculated true digestibility of the rice cereal protein was > 95%. Our results indicate that infants aged 4 mo, in contrast with younger infants, are able to digest and absorb cereal. The addition of cereal to the diet does not lead to increased fecal protein losses.
authors.affiliation: US Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shulman
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gannon
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Reeds
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D012275:Oryza / Q000378:metabolism*; D016482:Urinalysis
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D009584:Nitrogen