Nutrition influences bone development from infancy through toddler years.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Nutrition Science
• Bone Biology

Background:

• Childhood bone accretion is increasingly recognized as vital for long-term skeletal health.
• Nutritional factors from pregnancy through early childhood significantly influence bone development.
• Maternal nutritional status and infant feeding practices are key determinants of neonatal bone mineral content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current knowledge on nutritional factors affecting bone accretion in healthy children.
• To identify key nutritional influences during infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool years.
• To explore the impact of maternal nutrition, infant feeding, and early diet on bone development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies published in the last decade.
• Analysis of nutritional factors including maternal status, infant feeding, formula composition, and weaning practices.
• Examination of specific nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, and additives like palm olein oil.

Main Results:

• Maternal vitamin D and calcium deficiencies negatively impact neonatal bone mineral content.
• Formula-fed infants show greater bone accretion than human milk-fed infants, with higher mineral content yielding better results.
• Palm olein oil in formula may reduce bone mineral accretion; timing of weaning foods shows no influence.

Conclusions:

• Early life nutrition, including maternal factors and infant feeding choices, profoundly influences childhood bone accretion.
• While formula composition impacts bone development, long-term effects of early nutrition and factors like physical activity remain unclear.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term skeletal health implications of early nutritional interventions and interactions.