A total of 250 paediatricians, neonatologists and other medical experts took part in a recently concluded forum on child health and nutrition in Cairo.

A total of six renowned experts from the region and abroad presented the latest local and international updates in the field of nutrition of infants and young children including infants with special nutrition needs as premature babies and infants with high risk for developing allergy , offering a unique and integrated approach in child nutrition.

“To ensure nutritionally adequate infant health, mothers should have a balanced and complete diet throughout pregnancy and lactation. Solid food can be introduced between 4-6 months of age,” said Dr Mohamad Miqdady, senior consultant, American Board of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi.

Prof Jane Carver, professor of paediatrics, college of medicine in University of South Florida, discussed feeding premature infants and said: “The clinical management of preterm infants has improved dramatically over the past decade, and survival rates continue to increase – especially for infants born with very low birth weights.”

It is well established that one of the best opportunities to advance human wellbeing is the provision of adequate nutrition during the critical window of development from birth to two years of age to promote optimal growth, optimal protection and health development, with breastfeeding as the preferred method of providing this nutrition.

One of the other important topics discussed was the effect of nutrition on the child’s digestive system, where a protein called “alpha–lactalbumin” plays a critical role.

Prof Ahmed El Beleidy, head of paediatric ICU, and professor of paediatrics, Cairo University explained the role of this special protein, which is predominant in breast milk in supporting better tolerability of the feeding.

Another important innovation is the new and unique ‘Biofactors system’, which was also introduced in Egypt during the forum.

“Individual nutrients carry their own set of benefits however a good combination of nutrients can produce additional benefits for a child’s growth and development and this is what the biofactors system is all about,” said Dr Mohammed Abdel Khalek, regional medical affairs and R&D director, Pfizer Nutrition, organisers of the event. – TradeArabia News Service