Daily Complementary Feeding With Eggs Improves Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Infants.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional immunology
• Pediatric gastroenterology
• Global child health

Background:

• Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a subclinical intestinal condition prevalent in low-income settings, contributing to impaired child growth.
• Dietary interventions, such as the introduction of eggs during complementary feeding, are being explored to mitigate EED and improve child development outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of daily chicken egg intake on EED biomarkers in South African infants aged 6-9 months.
• To examine the association between EED markers and growth faltering in infants receiving complementary feeding.

Main Methods:

• A secondary analysis of the Eggcel-growth randomized controlled trial involving 500 infants (6-9 months) in Jouberton, South Africa.
• Infants were randomized to receive a daily chicken egg or a control diet for 6 months. EED and inflammatory markers were measured using a Q-Plex Human EED (11-Plex) assay.

Main Results:

• Daily egg intake significantly reduced fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels (B = -0.132, p = 0.035), indicating decreased growth hormone resistance.
• Baseline FGF21 and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels were inversely associated with growth indicators (length-for-age z-score, weight-for-age z-score, weight-for-length z-score).
• Elevated baseline FGF21, I-FABP, and soluble CD14 were associated with increased odds of stunting, wasting, and being underweight.

Conclusions:

• Complementary feeding with eggs may improve EED biomarkers, potentially by reducing growth hormone resistance.
• EED markers, particularly FGF21 and I-FABP, are significant predictors of growth faltering in infants.
• Early nutritional interventions targeting EED are crucial for preventing growth faltering in vulnerable populations.