![[Feedback]](/icons/banner/feedbackACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[For Subscribers]](/icons/banner/subscriberACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[Archive]](/icons/banner/archiveACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[Search]](/icons/banner/searchACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[Contents]](/icons/banner/tocACT.gif){kind=icon}
|
|
|
|
|
||
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In contrast with clinical studies in term infants or older children, it is very difficult to investigate possible immunoregulatory effects of a novel infant formula composition in preterm infants. This is mainly because of the multicausal origin of infections in this high-risk population that is usually admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Possible effects of nutrition composition on onset and incidence of nosocomial infections in these very small infants have to be compared with infections that may have originated in utero. The development of the gastrointestinal tract may be inhibited after severe intrauterine growth retardation, leading to functional impairment of the gut shortly after birth. This may be related to the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis of the newborn. However, this disease in very small preterm infants is possibly also related to the initiation of oral feeding and/or the amount of feeding. Specific infection risks of neonatal intensive care as a result of invasive techniques such as artificial ventilation or total parenteral nutrition using indwelling umbilical and/or Silastic lines and so-called "all-in-one" mixtures may influence the incidence of infections. Widespread use of intravenous antibiotics in the neonatal intensive care unit may create an even larger infection risk. Investigation of possible immunomodulatory effects of factors such as prebiotics and probiotics added to the nutrition of preterm infants should always be considered along with other nutritional factors known to influence the immature immune system.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hn.lafeber{at}vumc.nl.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  H. K. A. Visser Dietary Influences on Infection and Allergy in Infants: Introduction J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1768S - 1769S. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. U. Wahn Strategies for Atopy Prevention J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1770S - 1772S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. M'Rabet, A. P. Vos, G. Boehm, and J. Garssen Breast-Feeding and Its Role in Early Development of the Immune System in Infants: Consequences for Health Later in Life J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1782S - 1790S. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Morelli Postnatal Development of Intestinal Microflora as Influenced by Infant Nutrition J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1791S - 1795S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Biasucci, B. Benenati, L. Morelli, E. Bessi, and G. Boehm Cesarean Delivery May Affect the Early Biodiversity of Intestinal Bacteria J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1796S - 1800S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Gottrand Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Influence the Immune System of Infants J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1807S - 1812S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Boehm and G. Moro Structural and Functional Aspects of Prebiotics Used in Infant Nutrition J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1818S - 1828S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. B. van Goudoever, W. Corpeleijn, M. Riedijk, M. Schaart, I. Renes, and S. van der Schoor The Impact of Enteral Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Nutrition on Gut Permeability and Amino Acid Utilization J. Nutr., September 1, 2008; 138(9): 1829S - 1833S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
