Thought you might be interested in the following items from the NUTRITION &
YOUR CHILD newsletter.
Kathy
Volume 3, 2003
NUTRITION & YOUR CHILD is a science-based newsletter produced by the ARS/USDA
Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at Baylor College of Medicine and
electronically distributed in cooperation with USDA's Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) to enhance the research base
for educational programming.
#4 NEW STUDY LOOKS AT CALCIUM ABSORPTION IN INFANTS
Formulas may have an adequate amount of calcium, but researchers wonder if
the calcium from formula milk is absorbed as well as calcium from breast milk.
Dr. Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in
Houston and a neonatologist at Texas Children's Hospital, is heading a study
that will look at calcium absorption in infants from birth to 2 months of age.
The study will compare breast milk versus a new infant formula that has a
different fat blend than what is currently on the market.
Abrams, who studies calcium and bone metabolism at the USDA/ARS Children's
Nutrition Resource Center, says adequate calcium intake levels set by the
National Academy of Sciences are 210 milligrams per day for infants up to 6 months
and 270 milligrams per day between 6 and 12 months. The intake levels are
based on the usual intake of breast-fed infants.
"It is possible that formula does not have calcium that is absorbed as well
as it is from breast milk so formula contains, by regulation, more calcium than
is in breast milk," Abrams said.
Abrams and his team will give each infant a stable calcium isotope.
Stable isotopes are naturally occurring forms of minerals, such as calcium,
and are safe. The isotopes are used to assess the rate of bone mineral
deposition and the secretion of minerals into the gastrointestinal tract to determine
calcium absorption.
"It is especially important for older infants who are also vitamin D
deficient to receive the recommended amount of calcium," Abrams said. "These infants
have a higher risk of rickets, a 'soft-bone' disease that can stunt growth and
make children bow-legged."
The study requires three visits to the CNRC for formula-fed infants and four
visits for breast fed infants, each including one overnight visit at the
Clinical Research Center at Texas Children's Hospital. Breastfeeding mothers will
receive free use of an electric breast pump; mothers of formula fed infants
will receive free formula. Mothers may enroll before or after delivery.
Participants will receive a $100 gift card to Target upon completion of the
overnight stay and a $50 check by mail. Breastfed participants will receive a
$30 check after completion of the fourth visit.
#6 Q&A Do I need extra calcium while breastfeeding my baby?
Breastfeeding women who have difficulty meeting their basic calcium needs
might benefit from calcium supplements, such as the 200 to 250 milligrams found
in multivitamins given to pregnant and nursing women. But, if you're diet is
already calciumrich, you probably don't need them, said Dr. Steven Abrams of the
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
in Houston.
Studies have shown that giving nursing women supplemental calcium has had no
affect on their mineral balance, which is why the calcium recommendations for
nursing and nonnursing women are exactly the same: 1000 milligrams per day for
those 19 years of age and older and 1300 milligrams for those 18 and younger.
Although women do lose some bone mass to support milk production,
breastfeeding is not detrimental to a woman's overall bone health, says Abrams. That's
because once menstruation resumes, the situation is readily reversed. Some
studies also suggest that breastfeeding might actually decrease the risk of
postmenopausal osteoporosis.
There are some groups of women, however, who might benefit from more calcium
while breastfeeding, Abrams said. These include women breastfeeding more than
one infant, those who have had closely spaced pregnancies and nursing
adolescents.
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#7 HOUSTON-AREA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Houston-area residents are invited to participate in the following nutrition
research projects designed to help CNRC scientists learn more about the
nutritional needs of children. Transportation/parking available. For more
information, visit the CNRC web site, http://www.kidsnutrition.org.
BREASTFEEDING: PUMP UP THE VOLUME! Breastfeeding mothers with babies less
than 8 weeks old may be eligible. Mothers will receive an electric breast pump
of their choice (~$250 value) and free consultation with a certified lactation
consultant. The study will compare the effectiveness of different breast
pumps and strategies used to increase milk production. Call Cynthia, 713-798-7005.
CALCIUM ABSORPTION IN INFANCY
Healthy, full term infants, from birth to 2 months of age, are needed for a
new study comparing calcium absorption from breast milk versus a new formula.
Breastfeeding mothers will receive free use of an electric breast pump;
mothers of formula fed infants will receive free formula. Mothers may enroll before
or after delivery. Call 713-798-7085.
For more information or to enroll in the study, contact Penni Hicks at
713-798-7166 or [log in to unmask]
Kathleen Fallon Pasakarnis, M.Ed. IBCLC
Nurturing Family Lactation and Parenting Services
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