Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2008; 14(2): 248-254
Published online Jan 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.248
Prevalence and dietetic management of mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants
D Infante Pina, X Badia Llach, B Ariño-Armengol, V Villegas Iglesias
D Infante Pina, Unit of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University, Barcelona, Spain
X Badia Llach, B Ariño-Armengol, Health Outcomes Research Europe, Barcelona, Spain
V Villegas Iglesias, CHIESI España, Barcelona, Spain
Correspondence to: Vicenç Villegas, Medical Manager (Infant Nutrition), Chiesi España S.A., C/ Berlín 38-48, 7ª planta, Barcelona 08029, Spain. v.villegas@chiesi.es
Telephone: +34-934-948000
Received: April 16, 2007
Revised: November 29, 2007
Published online: January 14, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To assess the prevalence of mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants in paediatric practice, and to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction with dietetic treatment.

METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was first carried out. A total of 285 paediatricians included 3487 children seen during a period of one week. In a second phase an observational, prospective and multicentre study was conducted and 2069 milk-fed infants with mild gastrointestinal disorders (colic, constipation, regurgitation and diarrhoea) were included. There was a baseline visit (start of treatment) and a final visit four weeks later. The effectiveness of the various Novalac formulas, as well as the satisfaction of the parents/tutors and paediatricians with the dietetic treatment were assessed at the final visit.

RESULTS: The prevalence of mild gastrointestinal disorders was 27.8% of all paediatrician consultations (9.2%, 7.8%, 6.1% and 4.6% in relation to colic, constipation, regurgitation and diarrhoea, respectively). The several Novalac adapted milk formulas resolved 88.4% of the mild gastrointestinal disorders. Depending on the type of disorder, differences in response rate were observed. The highest effectiveness was recorded with respect to diarrhoea (92.6%), followed by constipation (91.6%), colic (87.6%) and regurgitation (81%). Overall, 91% of the paediatricians and 88.8% of the parents/tutors were satisfied or very satisfied with the Novalac adapted milk formulas.

CONCLUSION: Mild gastrointestinal disorders show a high prevalence in paediatric practice. The Novalac adapted milk formulas have been shown to be effective in treating mild gastrointestinal disorders in milk-fed infants in the context of routine clinical practice.

Keywords: Mild gastrointestinal disorders; Prevalence; Adapted infant formulas; Effectiveness; Satisfaction