title: Safety and adequacy of a semi-elemental formula for children with gastro-intestinal disease.
abstract: A prospective, open trial was conducted to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of a semi-elemental diet in 47 children with functional gastro-intestinal disorders. Nutritional adequacy was assessed based on growth relative to Euro-growth standards for body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores and evaluations of blood parameters. Twenty-five patients completed the study. In total, 533 l of "New-Alfare" was consumed during 775 trial-days. The mean intake per infant was 85.8 +/- 26.8 kcal/kg/day or 122.5 +/- 38.3 ml/kg/day. Weight and length evolution during the 4 weeks trial were within normal range. The mean BMI-for-age z-score (P < 0.05) and albumin concentration (P < 0.01) increased significantly after 4 weeks. Plasma threonine concentration decreased significantly (P = 0.01) and the tryptophan concentration increased (P = 0.06). No adverse events related to the study formula were reported. These results show that "New Alfaré" is safe and nutritionally adequate for pediatric patients with gastro-intestinal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Kinderen, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. yvan.vandenplas@uzbrussel.be
authors.forename: Yvan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vandenplas
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Plaskie
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011492:Protein Hydrolysates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D005227:Fatty Acids; D011492:Protein Hydrolysates; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014280:Triglycerides