title: Prevalence and dietetic management of mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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 milk-fed 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Infante Pina
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Badia Llach
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ariño-Armengol
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villegas Iglesias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence