Potential Micronutrient Deficiencies in the First 1000 Days of Life: The Pediatrician on the Side of the Weakest

This study is to examine potential micronutrient deficiencies and any need for supplementation in children following specific diet plans in the first 1000  days of life.Recent FindingsOptimal nutrition in the first 1000  days of life has a lifelong positive impact on child development. Specific intrauterine and perinatal factors, pathological conditions, and dietary restrictions can represent potential risk factors for micronutrient deficiencies in the first 1000 days of life, which can have negative systemic con sequences. Preterm and low-birth-weight infants are intrinsically at risk because of immature body systems. Children affected by cystic fibrosis are prone to malnutrition because of intestinal malabsorption. The risk of micronutrient deficiency can increase in various situations, including but not l imited to children following selective dietary regimens (vegetarian and vegan diets and children affected by specific neuropsychiatric conditions) or specific dietary therapies (children affected by food allergies or specific metabolic disorders and children following restricted diet as a part of th erapeutic approach, i.e., ketogenic diet for epilepsy). In light of this situation, the micronutrient status in these categories of children should be investigated in order to tailor strategies specific to the individual’s metabolic needs, with a particular focus on deficiencies which can impair o r delay the physical and cognitive development of children, namely, vitamin...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research