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European Journal of Nutrition

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01-04-2019 | Original Contribution

Effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation on growth in infants: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Lanfang Wang, Shu Mu, Xiaoyan Xu, Zhexi Shi, Li Shen

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 3/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Dietary nucleotides are thought to be conditionally essential nutrients in infancy. However, studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between nucleotide supplementation and infant physical growth. We conducted this meta-analysis to examine the efficacy of nucleotide supplementation of infant formula in promoting early infant growth.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the association between nucleotide supplementation and infant growth through June 2017 were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tool. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q and I² tests.

Results

Nucleotide supplementation significantly increased the rate of weight gain (SMD 0.26; 95% CI 0.06–0.47), but had no effect on weight (SMD − 0.16; 95% CI − 0.55–0.23), weight Z score (SMD, − 0.42; 95% CI − 1.64–0.81), length (SMD 0.01; 95% CI − 0.18–0.21) and length Z score (SMD 0.15; 95% CI − 0.10–0.40). Occipitofrontal head circumference (OFC) at 7–8 weeks (SMD 0.30; 95% CI 0.10–0.50) and the rate of OFC gain (SMD 0.34; 95% CI 0.09–0.58) were significantly improved with nucleotide supplementation, whereas, 16- and 20-week OFC values did not differ.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis indicated that nucleotide supplementation can increase the rate of weight gain, OFC and rate of OFC gain; however, we cannot conclude that it affects weight, weight Z score, length or length Z score. Large-scale randomized controlled trials of long-term nucleotide supplementation are needed to reach definitive conclusions.

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Title: Effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation on growth in infants: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lanfang Wang
Shu Mu
Xiaoyan Xu
Zhexi Shi
Li Shen
Publication date: 01-04-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 3/2019
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1640-2

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Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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