Consumption of fish by lactating mothers along with breastfeeding increases infants’ serum DHA levels

According to a recent study, frequent consumption of "Blue-back fish" and/or "White fish" by lactating mothers, along with breastfeeding, increases infants’ (aged 5-6 months) serum DHA levels. This study’s findings were published in the journal, Nutrients.

This cross-sectional study of a randomized clinical trial enrolled 268 infants. The frequency of maternal consumption of 38 food items as well as infant feeding patterns were prospectively surveyed. Cow’s milk formula (CMF) was supplemented with the following: 15.9% linolenic acid, 1.6% α-linolenic acid, 0.40% Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and 0.27% arachidonic acid.

At the end of the trial, it was found that there were significant positive associations between infants' serum DHA levels and "Blue-back fish" and "White fish." Higher serum DHA levels in infants were found to be associated with the combined variable "Blue-White fish.” Additionally, breastfed infants had significantly higher serum DHA when compared to those fed on CMF.

Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that frequent consumption of combined variable "Blue-White fish" by lactating mothers, who breastfed their infants, may effectively increase infants’ serum DHA levels.

Scrotal orchiopexy as an effective alternative to inguinal orchiopexy in children with cryptorchidism

A recent study suggests that scrotal orchiopexy is an effective alternative to inguinal orchiopexy in infant boys aged 6 to 12-months with cryptorchidism. The results of this study were published in the Asian Journal of Andrology.

This randomized clinical trial enrolled 100 infant boys, who were block randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Out of these, 50 of them had scrotal orchidopexy procedure done and 50 of them underwent inguinal orchidopexy. The primary outcome of the study was testicular function assessed by serum testosterone, testicular volume, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin B (InhB) levels. Secondary outcomes consisted of operative time, amount of intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative complications.

At the end of the study, it was observed that the testicular volume, serum testosterone, AMH, and InhB levels in both groups increased markedly after surgery. Based on this result, it can be concluded that scrotal orchiopexy may be an effective alternative to inguinal orchiopexy in children as it may exert protective effects on testicular function in children with cryptorchidism.

Significantly lower incidence of acute kidney injury with balanced crystalloid electrolytes solution

According to a recent study, fluid resuscitation with multiple electrolytes solution resulted in a significantly lower incidence of new and /or progressive acute kidney injury (AKI) in pediatric patients. This study was published in the journal, Critical Care Medicine.

This was a parallel-group, blinded, multicenter trial that included 708 children, up to 15 years of age with septic shock. They were randomized to receive fluid boluses of either MES solution (PlasmaLyte A; n=351) or 0.9% saline (n=357). Primary outcome of the study was incidence of new and/or progressive acute kidney injury (AKI), at any time within the first 7 days of fluid resuscitation. Key secondary outcomes of the study were hyperchloremia, any adverse event (AE), and all-cause ICU mortality.

It was seen that relative risk (RR) for new and/or progressive AKI was 0.62, favoring the MES group. Children with hyperchloremia were lower in the MES group, with no difference in ICU mortality between the two groups. Similarly, there was no difference in infusion-related AEs between the groups.

Based on the above results, it can be concluded that in children presenting with septic shock, fluid resuscitation with MES may significantly lower incidence of new and/or progressive AKI during the first 7 days of hospitalization.

Improved cognitive outcomes in children with bovine milk fat globule membrane and lactoferrin in infant formula

According to a recent study, children who received infant formula to 12 months of age with added bovine milk fat globule membrane and bovine lactoferrin, showed improved neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5.5 years of age. This study’s results were published in The Journal of Pediatrics.

This randomized, controlled trial enrolled 116 participants who completed the assessments. The participants were divided into a cow milk-based infant formula (n= 59; control) or a similar formula (n= 57; milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin). The primary outcome included the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th Edition assessment.

It was seen that the children who showed Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th Edition composite scores for Visual Spatial, Processing Speed, and Full-Scale IQ, were significantly higher for milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin versus control. Likewise, Stroop Task scores were also significantly higher in milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin versus control. More children passed the Higher Dimensional Change Card Sort scores in the border phase for milk fat globule membrane versus control.

Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the children who received infant formula with added bovine milk fat globule membrane and bovine lactoferrin, may demonstrate improved cognitive outcomes in multiple domains after attaining 5.5 years of age.