Presentation
Prof. Patrick Tounian's presentation highlighted three common nutritional deficiencies:
- Iron deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
- Lipid deficiency
In parallel with the 23rd Rencontres de Pédiatrie Pratique (Pediatrics Practical Seminars) held on January 25th & 26th in Paris, more than 160 pediatricians gathered for our Novalac symposium. During this event, Prof. Patrick Tounian, Head of Pediatric Nutrition & Gastroenterology unit at the Trousseau Hospital in Paris, delivered a presentation on nutritional deficiencies among young children.
Prof. Patrick Tounian's presentation highlighted three common nutritional deficiencies:
Iron is a fundamental micronutrient involved in the formation of haemoglobin, myoglobin and various oxygen-carrier enzymes to transport oxygen in all cells in our bodies. Thus, iron plays a crucial role in the body, especially for muscle, brain and immune system function. Iron is particularly important during child’s growth and development.
Deficiency
Iron deficiency is the most prevalent deficiency in the world1. Iron deficiency in children may lead to several consequences such as:
Requirements
There are two different types of iron:
To avoid iron deficiency in infants and children and meet their iron requirements:
Before 6 months :
From 6 and 12 months :
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body mainly involved in bone mineralisation. Bone mineralization occurs only during growth, until the age of 20 years.
Deficiency
Calcium deficiency during the first 20 years of life increases the risk of fractures in all adulthood12. Reduced consumption of milk and dairy products during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of fracture throughout life13-17.
Requirements
Recommended calcium intake is:
To avoid calcium deficiency in infants and children and meet their calcium requirements:
Dietary lipids are key nutrients for infants not only to meet their high energy needs (human milk lipids provides 50% of energy intake) but also to fulfil numerous metabolic and physiological functions critical to their growth, development, and health.
Quality and quantity of lipids are especially important for neuro-cognitive development since the brain contains more than 60% of lipids.
Deficiency
There is no risk of lipid deficiency during the first 6 months of life if the baby is breastfed or fed with an infant formula.
Linoleic acid (omega 6 fatty acid) and α-linolenic acid (omega 3 fatty acid) are essential fatty acids that need to be brought in the diet.
DHA (omega 3 fatty acid) is considered as semi-essential fatty acids. Its deficiency can affect brain development, intellectual and visual functions18-20.
Requirements
Recommended lipid intake is:
To avoid lipid deficiency in infants and children and meet their lipid requirements :
For non-breastfed infants older than one year, 850 ml/d of growing-up formula are required to cover the infant’s need. Most children do not drink enough growing-up milk to cover their needs, oils or butter (4 teaspoons/d) to infant’s diet should therefore be added. Choose oils especially rich in DHA such as rapeseed, soy or walnut oil if intake of DHA is low.