Abstract
Maternal milk contains factors that protect against diarrhea, among than nucleotides. The effect of a nucleotide-enriched formula on the incidence, duration and etiology of acute diarrhea was evaluated in 139 infants (G1). Children were admitted throughout the year and each child was surveyed for three months. The control group (G2, N=145) received the same formula without the added nucleotides. G1 and G2 children suffered from diarrhea 2.7% and 4.2% of the follow up period, respectively. G1 had significantly less episodes of diarrhea and total number of days with the disease (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0000, respectively). However, the duration of episode was comparable. Cases of persistent diarrhea were similar in both groups (N=8). Search of etiologic agents (bacteria, parasites and rotavirus) in a subsample showed no differences between both groups (G2:38.7%, 23.4%, 9.1%; G1: 46.3%, 32,4% and 5.7%, respectively). The species detected were comparable to those of other studies in the same area and the same age group. There were no differences in parameters of nutritional status throughout the study and between the groups. In conclusion, the formula evaluated was associated with a decrease in incidence and a lesser number of days with acute diarrhea.
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Espinoza, J., Araya, M., Cruchat, S. et al. NUCLEOTIDE-ENRICHED MILK AND DIARRHEAL DISEASE IN INFANTS. Pediatr Res 32, 739 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199212000-00038
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199212000-00038