Author
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MOTIL, KATHLEEN - BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: In spite of the notable advances in infant feedings made during the past half century, protein and amino acid requirements in the infant remain controversial due to interindividual variability, nutrient interactions, and the technical difficulties associated with the precise determination of nutrient needs. Protein needs in the infant are determined primarily by the equantity of dietary nitrogen and amino acids required to maintain body composition, promote growth, and support the functional aspects of body protein metabolism. Currently, human milk is considered to be the gold standard with respect to protein and amino acid needs of infants. The estimates of protein needs are thought to be 1.98 g/kg-1/d-1 during the first month of life, then decrease rapidly to 1.18 g/kg-1/d-1 by 4 to 5 mo of age and remain at this level until one year of age. In the last 10 years, concerns have been raised that protein intakes of formula-fed infants are excessive, particularly at weaning. As a result, recommendations have been made to reduce the protein content of infant formulas. Protein-energy malnutrition is a major nutritional problem in populations characterized by limited availability of food and poor environmental conditions favoring infections. Although infections may precipitate protein deficiency, dietary protein insufficiency also predisposes the child to infections by altering the host's immune responsiveness. Breastfeeding has been advocated universally as the method of feeding infants from disadvantaged environments. |
