This study attempted to define the possible contribution of zinc nutrition to immunocompetence and growth in severely malnourished infants. The effect of zinc supplementation was evaluated in marasmic infants during nutritional rehabilitation by using a controlled double-blind design in which 19 infants fed a zinc-fortified formula were compared with 20 infants fed the same non-supplemented formula. Evaluation of immunocompetence, growth, and zinc, copper, and iron status was performed on admission and at 30, 60, and 105 d of nutritional rehabilitation. Although energy intake was similar in both groups, the zinc-supplemented infants had significantly higher linear growth gain, and their immune function improved as demonstrated by conversion of their delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions, enhanced lymphoproliferative response to PHA, and increased salivary IgA concentrations. Thus, the use of a zinc-fortified formula during nutritional rehabilitation can prevent the development of zinc deficiency and improve growth and immune function.
The effects on pregnancy outcome and maternal iron status of powdered milk (PUR) and a milk-based fortified product (V-N) were compared in a group of underweight gravidas. These take-home products were distributed during regular prenatal visits. Women in the V-N group had greater weight gain (12.29 vs 11.31 kg, p less than 0.05) and mean birth weights (3178 vs 3105 g, p less than 0.05) than those in the PUR group. Values for various indicators of maternal Fe status were also higher in the V-N group. Compared with self-selected noncompliers, similar in all control variables to compliers, children of women who consumed powdered milk or the milk-based fortified product had mean birth weights that were higher by 258 and 335 g, respectively. Data indicate a beneficial effect of the fortified product on both maternal nutritional status and fetal growth.
The bioavailability of iron added to different types of cows' milk formulas was studied using mono-isotopic and double-isotopic methods in 396 infants aged 5-18 mo. All the milk formulas were fortified with ferrous sulfate in concentrations varying between 10 and 19 mg elemental iron/liter. Iron absorption from low-fat milks and full-fat milks varied from 2.9 to 5.1%. A higher range of mean absorption, 5.9 to 11.3%, was observed in the same formulas with the addition of ascorbic acid at concentrations of 100 mg/l or higher (up to 800 mg/l), demonstrating its enhancing effect on iron absorption in fortified milks. The amount of milk fat, the addition of carbohydrates, or acidification did not seem to influence iron absorption.
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