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Acquired monosaccharide intolerance in infants
V N Nichols1, J K Fraley, K D Evans
1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX 77030.
Insights
Acquired monosaccharide intolerance (AMI) affects 9% of infants under 3 months hospitalized for diarrhea. Malnutrition is a key factor in developing AMI, with affected infants being younger and more dehydrated.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition
Background:
- Infants under 3 months are susceptible to gastrointestinal issues.
- Diarrhea in infants can lead to various complications, including intolerance.
- Acquired monosaccharide intolerance (AMI) is a concern in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of AMI in hospitalized infants younger than 3 months.
- To compare the characteristics and causes of AMI with acute diarrhea (AD) in similar infants.
- To identify risk factors associated with the development of AMI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective descriptive study of 555 infants (<3 months) hospitalized for diarrhea.
- Comparison of infants with AMI to a cohort with AD.
- Analysis of clinical characteristics, nutritional status, and dehydration levels.
Main Results:
- AMI was diagnosed in 9% of infants; 40% had other chronic diarrhea, 51% had AD.
- Infants with AMI were younger (mean 32 days vs. 44 days), more malnourished, and more dehydrated (5% vs. 3%) upon admission.
- Bacterial and viral causes of diarrhea were similar between groups.
- Malnutrition was identified as a significant antecedent factor for AMI.
Conclusions:
- AMI occurs in 9% of young infants hospitalized with diarrhea.
- Malnutrition, younger age, and greater dehydration are associated with AMI development.
- Early identification and management of malnutrition may help prevent AMI in infants.
Abstract:
To determine the frequency with which acquired monosaccharide intolerance (AMI) occurs in infants less than 3 months of age, we performed a prospective descriptive study of infants admitted to the hospital for diarrhea. We searched for differences between the characteristics and causes of AMI in these infants and those of a cohort of similar-aged infants admitted with acute diarrhea (AD). Five hundred fifty-five infants less than 3 months of age admitted with diarrhea were enrolled. Nine percent of those infants had AMI, 40% had other forms of chronic diarrhea, and 51% had AD. The mean age at hospital admission was 32 days for the infants with AMI and 44 days for the infants with AD. The mean weight loss of AMI infants was 0.3 g/day since birth, and the mean weight gain was 14.3 g/day for AD infants. The mean dehydration by difference in weights at admission and 48 h postadmission was 5% for AMI and 3% for AD infants. Bacterial and viral causes of the diarrhea were similar. At admission to the hospital, infants in whom AMI subsequently developed were younger, more malnourished, had more prolonged diarrhea, and were more dehydrated than the AD infants. Malnutrition stands out as a significant antecedent factor that contributes to the development of AMI.