Science base of complementary feeding practice in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
The review presents a selection of publications on complementary feeding in industrialized countries during 2008-2009, after the publication of the ESPGHAN position paper in early 2008.


RESULTS
The WHO recommendation for introduction of complementary feeding at 6 months is adapted in many countries, but the issue is still discussed and many mothers introduce complementary feeding as early as before 4 months. The European Food Safety Authority recently published a comprehensive review on the appropriate age for the introduction of complementary feeding and concluded that introduction between 4 and 6 months is safe. One study showed that delaying introduction of complementary feeding up to 6 months resulted in lower risk of overweight as adult. Milk protein is stimulating insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth and a recent study supports a long-term programming of the insulin-like growth factor-1 axis. There is now a broad consensus that there is no need to delay the introduction of hyperallergenic foods, which might even increase the risk of allergic disease. Randomized studies show that docosahexaenoic acid may affect heart rate and thereby cardiovascular regulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite some recent interesting publications, there is still a need for more large randomized studies to further explore to what degree the time of introduction and composition of complementary foods have effects on growth, development and especially the long-term risk of diseases.
Michaelsen
Kim F
KF
Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Larnkjaer
Anni
A
Lauritzen
Lotte
L
Mølgaard
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019049:Developed Countries; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D014943:Global Health; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D050177:Overweight / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D008894:Milk Proteins; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids