[Effect of nucleotides as dietary supplement on diarrhea in healthy infants]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nucleotide supplements on the incidence, duration and severity of diarrhea in healthy infants.

A total of 3,243 cases were studied. This was an observational cohort study with a 1:1 ratio between infants receiving a nucleotide supplemented/unsupplemented diet. From the start of the study until the infant reached 6 months of age, the infant's mother recorded the duration and severity of each episode of diarrhea. The infant's height and weight were measured at the beginning and at the end of the follow-up period and the nutritional index (NI) was calculated [NI = (actual weight/actual height)/(ideal weight/ideal height)/100]. Data collection was performed during the months of June through December 1996 at 340 pediatric clinics distributed throughout Spain.

The study groups were found to be homogeneous and there were no significant differences in age, gender, duration of follow-up, referring pediatric offices, number of siblings, usual residence, habitat or nursery attendance. The incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the nucleotide supplemented group (11.1%) versus the unsupplemented group (17.4%). Similarly, both the maximum duration of diarrhea (p < 0.05) and the severity of episodes of diarrhea (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the nucleotide supplemented group. No significant differences were found between the initial and final nutritional indexes within a group nor when comparing the two groups.

Nucleotide supplemented starter formulas reduce the incidence, duration and severity of diarrhea in healthy infants, but weight and height were not affected.