Danone (China)

In this study, the digestive properties of milk formulas(two concept milk formulas L1 and L2 with D4,3 ∼5 μm and a control milk formula S1 with D4,3 ∼0.5 μm) were evaluated using a dynamicdigestion model simulating the infant gastrointestinal tract. Theresults showed that L1 and L2 had a lower lipolysis degree comparedto S1 during gastric digestion and no significant difference at theend of the digestion process. Triacylglycerol lipolysis products werehighly related to the lipid sources of milk formulas. At the end ofdigestion, glycerophospholipids in milk formulas were hydrolyzed tolysophospholipids (∼60–80%), while sphingomyelins werebarely hydrolyzed. Concept milk formulas showed a complete sphericalstructure with a mean size of 3–5 μm during gastric digestion,while the control formula had large aggregates consisting of smalllipid droplets. This study reveals that the structure of lipid dropletsmoderates the gastric digestion emulsion structure and further influencesthe digestive properties of milk formulas.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing focus towards infant immunity. The development and maintenance of the immune system are significantly influenced from birth, and is shaped by early-life infant feeding behavior. Hence, the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of parents play a crucial role in shaping the immune system of infants. A total of 2369 parents across 19 cities in China were surveyed using a self-designed online questionnaire. The KAP questionnaire assessed three domains: immunity, gut microbiota, and biotics (prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics). The questionnaire also included questions on infant health. An overwhelming majority of parents (97.90%) placed high value on their children's immunity, and 40.40% of them reported an increased level of concern following the COVID-19 pandemic. Diarrhea (78.80%), colds (75.70%), nighttime crying (73.80%), regurgitation (71.70%) and food retention (66.50%) were the major health issues reported. Knowledge scores toward immunity and gut microbiota were positively correlated to attitude and practice scores, respectively. Attitude scores toward immunity, gut microbiota and biotics were positively correlated to their respective practice scores. Parental knowledge score on immunity was negatively correlated with diarrhea, colds, regurgitation and food retention. On the other hand, parental practice scores toward immunity were negatively correlated with food retention. In regards to gut microbiota, parental knowledge score was negatively correlated with diarrhea, regurgitation and food retention; parental attitude score was negatively correlated with nighttime crying whereas practice score was negatively correlated with diarrhea, regurgitation, food retention and nighttime crying. Attitude score toward biotics was negatively correlated with nighttime crying and practice scores toward biotics was negatively correlated with colds, food retention and nighttime crying. This study demonstrated that significant gaps and misunderstandings exist among parents regarding immunity, gut microbiota health, and biotics. Both public education and interventions are crucial to enhance parental knowledge and practices, thereby improving infant immunity.

Toddlerhood (aged 13~36 months) is a period of dietary transition, with water intake being significantly influenced by parental feeding patterns, cultural traditions, and the availability of beverages and food. Nevertheless, given the lack of applicable data, it is challenging to guide and evaluate the water intake of toddlers in China. In this study, our objectives were to assess the daily total water intake (TWI), evaluate the consumption patterns of various beverages and food sources contributing to the TWI, determine the conformity of participants to the adequate intake (AI) recommendation of water released by the Chinese Nutrition Society, and analyze the various contributors to the daily total energy intake (TEI). The data for the assessment of water and dietary intake were obtained from the cross-sectional dietary intake survey of infants and young children (DSIYC, 2018-2019). A total of 1360 eligible toddlers were recruited in the analysis. The differences in related variables between two age groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-Square test. The potential correlation between water and energy intake was examined utilizing age-adjusted partial correlation. Toddlers consumed a median daily TWI of 1079 mL, with 670 mL (62.3%, r = 0.752) derived from beverages and 393 mL (37.7%, r = 0.716) from foods. Plain water was the primary beverage source, contributing 300 mL (52.2%, r = 0.823), followed by milk and milk derivatives (MMDs) at 291 mL (45.6%, r = 0.595). Notably, only 28.4% of toddlers managed to reach the recommended AI value. Among these, toddlers obtain more water from beverages than from foods. The median daily TEI of toddlers was 762 kcal, including 272 kcal from beverages (36.4%, r = 0.534) and 492 kcal from foods (63.6%, r = 0.894). Among these, the median daily energy intake from MMDs was 260 kcal, making up 94.6% of the energy intake from beverages (r = 0.959). As the pioneer survey on TWI of toddlers in China based on nationally representative data, attention to the quality and quantity of water intake and actions to better guide parents by both individuals and authorities are eagerly anticipated. Additionally, the revision of the reference value of TWI for Chinese toddlers is urgently required.

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the gold standard for infant nutrition, benefitting infants’ gastrointestinal tracts. Stool analysis helps in understanding pediatric gastrointestinal health, but the effectiveness of automated fecal consistency evaluation by parents of breastfeeding infants has not been investigated. Photographs of one-month-old infants’ feces on diapers were taken via a smartphone app and independently categorized by Artificial Intelligence (AI), parents, and researchers. The accuracy of the evaluations of the AI and the parents was assessed and compared. The factors contributing to assessment bias and app user characteristics were also explored. A total of 98 mother–infant pairs contributed 905 fecal images, 94.0% of which were identified as loose feces. AI and standard scores agreed in 95.8% of cases, demonstrating good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.782, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance W (Kendall’s W) = 0.840, Kendall’s tau = 0.690), whereas only 66.9% of parental scores agreed with standard scores, demonstrating low agreement (ICC = 0.070, Kendall’s W = 0.523, Kendall’s tau = 0.058). The more often a mother had one or more of the following characteristics, unemployment, education level of junior college or below, cesarean section, and risk for postpartum depression (PPD), the more her appraisal tended to be inaccurate (p < 0.05). Each point increase in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score increased the deviation by 0.023 points (p < 0.05), which was significant only in employed or cesarean section mothers (p < 0.05). An AI-based stool evaluation service has the potential to assist mothers in assessing infant stool consistency by providing an accurate, automated, and objective assessment, thereby helping to monitor and ensure the well-being of infants.

Introduction: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the dietary intake and the human milk (HM) fatty acid (FA) profile of Chinese lactating women. Methods: HM samples and food records were obtained from 122 Chinese women over 5 visits between 0 and 51 days postpartum. Adjusted multiple regression was performed to explore associations between maternal dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, FAs and foods, and the HM FA profile. Analyses were performed separately for colostrum and mature milk. Results: Dietary intakes of total polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid were positively associated with the HM contents of PUFAs, omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs, and linoleic acid (LA), and the intakes of n-3 PUFAs and α-linolenic acid (ALA) were negatively associated with saturated FA levels in HM. Associations were stronger for mature milk. Intakes of milk/dairy, meat/poultry, and eggs were negatively associated with n-6 PUFAs, LA, and EPA in mature milk, whereas the opposite was seen for fish/shrimp. Positive associations were also found between fish/shrimp and total and n-3 PUFAs in mature milk. Conclusion: The HM FA profile of Chinese women is associated with their diet, and in particular with their FA intake. Tailored nutritional advice based on HM FA composition may optimize HM FA profile and thereby contribute to healthy infant development.