Nutrition

Functional foods for post-partum mothers include galactagogues to enhance breast feeding and teas to soothe colic.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is prevalent in 40% of critically ill children, new research has found. Which factors are protective against deficiency? More >>

A reduced-carbohydrate diet led to favorable changes in metabolic parameters in peripubertal black girls who were obese, but did it have any effect on weight loss?

A study comparing 3 weight-loss diets for children with obesity found that all were effective, but some children adhere to certain programs better than others. Which diet appears to be the most promising for long-term weight management?

A new policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its support for exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer after solid foods are introduced as desired by mother and infant.

Stretching infant formula by dilution or reduced feedings exposes babies to serious developmental risks, yet it can be a monthly temptation for families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance. Find out how families forced to resort to formula stretching can be better identified and what other options can be offered to them.

The influenza vaccine?s formulation may be unchanged from last year, but immunity in children can decline precipitously without another dose this year, according to new recommendations. The good news is that kids aged 6 months to 8 years need only 1 dose if they were vaccinated last year; others in that age group will still require 2 doses. Find out what else the new recommendations have to say, especially about immunization for youngsters with egg allergies.

A meta-analysis of 18 case-controlled studies on the relationship between breastfeeding and risk of sudden infant death syndrome revealed that breastfeeding of any duration is protective, especially if the breastfeeding is exclusive.

Although evidence shows that breastfeeding prevents childhood obesity and reduces a mother's risk for breast and ovarian cancers, many hospitals in the United States fail to support breastfeeding.

In a longitudinal cohort study, adolescent girls who ate a diet high in fruits, whole grains, and low-fat diary products had smaller gains in body mass index (BMI) over 10 years than girls with other dietary patterns.

A study of 125 children who had been placed on elimination diets primarily because of a positive serum immunoglobulin E immunoassay result suggests that the answer tot his question is no.

Vitamin E or metformin does not result in sustained reduction of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children and adolescents with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Investigators examined the extent to which introduction of solid foods to infants younger than 4 months is associated with increased risk of obesity at 3 years.

Use of pacifiers does not interfere with breastfeeding up to age 4 months, according to a systematic Cochrane review.

How concerned should you be about vitamin D deficiency in your patients? Here are the findings and recommendations of the 2011 IOM report.

A restricted elimination diet may be effective in reducing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, according to researchers from the Netherlands.

A controversial new analysis suggests that introduction of solid foods before 6 months of age may reduce the risk of allergies and iron deficiency anemia compared with exclusive breastfeeding. The researchers suggest that weaning should occur as early 4 months.

After a quality-assurance inspection of its manufacturing plant in Michigan revealed contamination by insect pieces and larvae, Abbott notified FDA that it was suspending production and issued a voluntary recall for about 5 million containers of certain Similac-brand powdered infant formulas.

A comprehensive pediatric cost analysis showed that suboptimal breastfeeding cost billions.

Infants in the United States still may not be getting enough vitamin D in their diet or daily environment, according to new findings.

The high-fat ketogenic diet, used to manage seizures in children with epilepsy, may have no enduring adverse events, according to new research.

An expert committee convened by the federal National Toxicology Program carefully chose its wording at a recent meeting to say that there is "minimal concern" about adverse developmental effects in infants fed soy infant formula.

Neonatal exposure to aluminum from parenteral nutrition solutions may have adverse effects beyond neurotoxicity; aluminum exposure may also affect long-term bone health.

A new study has demonstrated that millions of US children may have low levels of vitamin D.

Letters about iron supplementation and testicular self-exam (TSE).