T07002: Development of food intolerance in atopic and non-atopic families - influence of maternal nutrition and infant feeding practice in pre-term infants
Monday 4 November 2002
This research projects aim to look at how such factors as feeding practices, a child's sex and social conditions influence the development of food intolerances in babies that were born prematurely.
Background
This project looked at a group of 257 infants born prematurely, some of whom came from families with a tendency to develop allergies and some who didn't. It compared the two to investigate whether particular factors influenced the development of food intolerances.
Results and findings
'The dietary advice contained in this report is presented by the team of researchers and does not represent the view of the Food Standards Agency'.
The aim of this project was to examine the development of food intolerance in atopic and non-atopic families: influence of maternal nutrition and infant feeding practices in premature infants. It involved a cohort of 257 infants born prematurely, each of whom were monitored for development of allergy.
Results of the study suggest that following certain infant feeding advice on the minimum age to start weaning can reduce the risk of developing allergic disease for all premature infants. However this advice may be nutritionally unsound for very premature infants born before 34 weeks gestational age. General advice on the feeding of premature infants is given by the Department of Health, which recommends that pre-term infants should weigh at least 5 kilograms before being weaned.
Please note that the conclusion in this report was presented by the team of researchers and does not represent the view of the Food Standards Agency.
Contact: Dr Joelle Buck
Tel: 020 7276 8516
Email: joelle.buck@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk