Benefits of breastfeeding in cystic fibrosis: a single-centre follow-up survey

Improving growth in infants with CF

Cystic fibrosis (CF) results in chronic pulmonary infections, inflammation, pancreatic insufficiency, and multiple gastrointestinal manifestations. Malnutrition and poor growth are hallmarks of CF, and strongly associated with poor outcomes. Through newborn screening, many infants can be diagnosed within a few days of life, which allows for early initiation of nutritional counseling and close clinical follow-up. Obstacles to growth for infants with CF start in utero, as newborns with CF can have a lower birth weight than the general population. Improving infant growth has been linked to improved clinical outcomes and survival. It remains a top priority and challenge for caregivers and healthcare teams. An interdisciplinary approach, including registered dietitian and social work support, is essential to optimize health for infants with CF. Remaining barriers to normalcy include deficits in linear growth, lack of accurate nutrition biomarkers, persistence of inequities related to social determinant of health, particularly in the global CF community.

Breastfeeding, growth, and lung disease in the first 3 years of life in children with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

The 2009 cystic fibrosis (CF) infant care guidelines recommend breastmilk as the initial feeding but do not address if/when it should be fortified or supplemented with formula to promote optimal growth and pulmonary health.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective multi-center cohort study in breastfed and formula-fed infants that included 172 infants with CF who were born during 2012-17, enrolled after newborn screening at age 1.9 ± 1.0 months, and evaluated growth and lung disease manifestations in the first 3 years of life.

RESULTS

Seventy-two percent of our study cohort was breastfed at birth, but 64 % transitioned to receiving fortified feedings (breastmilk, formula, or a combination) by 6 months of age to reverse the downward trajectory of their growth curves. Fortified feedings accelerated catch-up growth to normal weight-for-age (0.12 ± 0.80 z-score) and near normal height-for-age (-0.13 ± 0.90 z-score) at 3 years of age. Within the fortified group, breastmilk and formula were similarly effective in promoting catch-up growth, but proportionately fewer infants with CF fed predominantly breastmilk (30 %) experienced severe or moderate early-onset lung disease compared to those fed predominantly formula (62 %), p = 0.02.

CONCLUSIONS

Most infants with CF require fortified feedings to recuperate from growth faltering and achieve normal growth at 3 years of age. For these infants, the proactive/preventive strategy of fortified breastmilk feedings starting soon after CF diagnosis, an alternative to the reactive/monitoring approach, can minimize the risk of prolonged postnatal growth faltering, accelerate the potential of attaining catch-up growth, and decrease the likelihood of experiencing more severe early-onset lung disease.

Autoimmunity in people with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) clinicians may see patients who have difficult-to-manage symptoms that do not have a clear CF-related etiology, such as unusual gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, vasculitis, or arthritis. Alterations in immunity, inflammation and intraluminal dysbiosis create a milieu that may lead to autoimmunity, and the CF transmembrane regulator protein may have a direct role as well. While autoantibodies and other autoimmune markers may develop, these may or may not lead to organ involvement, therefore they are helpful but not sufficient to establish an autoimmune diagnosis. Autoimmune involvement of the GI tract is the best-established association. Next steps to understand autoimmunity in CF should include a more in-depth assessment of the community perspective on its impact. In addition, bringing together specialists in various fields including, but not limited to, pulmonology, gastroenterology, immunology, and rheumatology, would lead to cross-dissemination and help define the path forward in basic science and clinical practice.

Pathogenesis, diagnosis, dietary management, and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders in the paediatric population

Nutrition has a central role in child growth with long-term effects, and nutrition management in gastrointestinal disorders has great importance for child health and disease outcomes. Breast milk is the first choice for infant nutrition. When it is not available, special milk formulas are adopted in specific conditions, as a medical treatment. Moving from the strong guidelines, recommendations and the new possibilities of special diet treatment, this review will analyse the current diet treatment in different gastrointestinal disorders, including food allergy, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, short-bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, and eosinophilic esophagitis. The review also aimed at understanding the role of diet and its effects on these diseases. The growth monitoring can prevent malnutrition and improve disease outcomes, particularly in children, and an appropriate dietary management targeted to specific disorders is the best therapeutic choice alone or in combination with pharmacological therapy.

Breastfeeding in Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review on Prevalence and Potential Benefits

Breastfeeding (BF) is considered the normative standard of feeding for all infants. However, the impact of BF in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is not completely defined. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate BF prevalence in the CF population and its impact on anthropometric and pulmonary outcomes. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library for original articles published in English up to 4 December 2020 that report the prevalence of BF and/or any measure of association between BF and anthropometric or pulmonary outcomes. Nine observational studies were identified (six retrospective cohort studies, one prospective cohort study, one survey and one case–control study within a retrospective cohort). The BF rate in CF patients is lower than that of the healthy population (approximately 50–60% of infants were breastfed at any time). The benefits in anthropometric outcomes of BF for >2 months in this at-risk population are unclear. A few relatively small studies suggest a potential benefit of BF in reducing lung infections, although data are inconsistent. The currently available data are insufficient to draw definite conclusions on the benefits of exclusive BF in anthropometric and pulmonary outcomes in CF. Clinical trials evaluating well-defined BF promotion interventions are needed.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: 2020 Cystic Fibrosis Evidence Analysis Center Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Center conducted a systematic review of the literature to develop an evidence-based practice guideline for primary nutrition issues in cystic fibrosis (CF). This guideline is designed to complement and build upon existing evidence-based CF nutrition guidelines. The objective of this guideline was to provide recommendations for registered dietitian nutritionists in the United States delivering medical nutrition therapy to individuals with CF and their families that fill gaps in current evidence-based guidelines on topics that are crucial in order to improve health and prevent disease progression. This guideline provides 28 nutrition recommendations to guide medical nutrition therapy, including nutrition screening, nutrition assessment, and dietary intake. For topics outside the scope of this guideline, practitioners are referred to external, evidence-based recommendations. The CF landscape is evolving rapidly with breakthroughs in cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator modulators changing CF at a cellular level. Medical nutrition therapy for individuals with CF from infancy through advanced age requires novel and individualized approaches. The Academy Evidence Analysis Library CF guidelines provide a framework for expanding upon current knowledge to determine effective nutrition strategies for individuals with CF through long and healthy futures.

Perinatal Reduced Blood Concentrations of Free Carnitine and Acylcarnitines in Infants with Cystic Fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic inherited disease. The aim of this study was to determine free carnitine (FC) and acylcarnitine concentrations in CF newborns with various mutations of the CFTR gene perinatally.

STUDY DESIGN

FC/acylcarnitines were determined in dried blood spots via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on the third day of life of full-term normal (n = 50) and CF (n = 28) newborns. For infants with elevated immunoreactive trypsinogen values, FC/acylcarnitines were quantified again 48 hours later, followed by mutational analysis of CFTR gene via Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

Initial FC and sums of acylcarnitine concentrations were statistically significantly lower in CF patients than in controls and even lower 48 hours later. The mutations F508del and 621 + 1G > T were predominantly identified among CF patients.

CONCLUSION

Low FC and acylcarnitine concentrations were measured perinatally in CF patients, for all CFTR mutations detected. Carnitine supplementation of breastfeeding mothers could be beneficial.

Lactation Consultation Sustains Breast Milk Intake in Infants With Cystic Fibrosis

Guidelines recommend breastfeeding in cystic fibrosis (CF) but breastfeeding rates decline rapidly in CF. We initiated a quality improvement project to improve breastfeeding in CF by incorporating International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) into the initial CF-diagnosis visit to support mothers who were breastfeeding at diagnosis. In the preintervention group, only 8/14 (57%) continued to provide breast milk after the first visit, whereas postintervention, 16/17 (94%) mothers continued to do so (P = 0.03). The duration of any (or partial) breastfeeding increased to an average of 7.7 months from an average of 6.4 months preintervention (P = 0.45). The weight z score and weight-for-length z score at diagnosis showed no change at 6 or 12 months (all comparisons P value >0.05). We conclude that mothers who met with the IBCLC were less likely to quit breastfeeding and hypothesize that lactation support to mothers can prolong the duration of breastfeeding in infants with CF.

Nutritional Status in the First 2 Years of Life in Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosed by Newborn Screening

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate nutritional status and associated factors in a cystic fibrosis (CF) cohort diagnosed by newborn screening and followed up to month 24.

METHODS

A prospective longitudinal multicenter study assessing nutritional status according to pancreatic status, feeding modalities, prescriptions, pulmonary outcome, and biological nutritional parameters.

RESULTS

One hundred and five infants were recruited and 99 completed the study. Nutritional care management prevented undernutrition and stunting in those with exocrine pancreatic sufficiency (EPS), but affected (13/87) 15% and (21/86) 24%, respectively, of infants with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The logistic regression model found a positive association between both weight and length z scores "at risk" at month 24, and initial pulmonary symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 0.06, P < 0.01 and OR 0.08, P < 0.01, respectively); these symptoms were less frequent when age at first visit was earlier than 1.2 months (33% vs 67%, P = 0.02); stunting was also associated with high-calorie density intake and Staphylococcus aureus (OR 0.05, P = 0.01 and OR 0.17, P < 0.01). Pulmonary outcome did not differ according to pancreatic status; breast-feeding for at least 3 months delayed first acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Despite sodium and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation, half of both cohorts had low urinary sodium output and half of the EPI cohort had low vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data shed light on the fact that stunting was more frequent than undernutrition, while both parameters involved only patients with pancreatic insufficiency. Modalities of feeding were not associated with nutritional status; breast-feeding may provide some protection against acquisition of P aeruginosa.

ESPEN-ESPGHAN-ECFS guidelines on nutrition care for infants, children, and adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is both a frequent feature and a comorbidity of cystic fibrosis (CF), with nutritional status strongly associated with pulmonary function and survival. Nutritional management is therefore standard of care in CF patients. ESPEN, ESPGHAN and ECFS recommended guidelines to cover nutritional management of patients with CF.

METHODS

The guidelines were developed by an international multidisciplinary working group in accordance with officially accepted standards. The GRADE system was used for determining grades of evidence and strength of recommendation. Statements were discussed, submitted to Delphi rounds, reviewed by ESPGHAN and ECFS and accepted in an online survey among ESPEN members.

RESULTS

The Working Group recommends that initiation of nutritional management should begin as early as possible after diagnosis, with subsequent regular follow up and patient/family education. Exclusive breast feeding is recommended but if not possible a regular formula is to be used. Energy intake should be adapted to achieve normal weight and height for age. When indicated, pancreatic enzyme and fat soluble vitamin treatment should be introduced early and monitored regularly. Pancreatic sufficient patients should have an annual assessment including fecal pancreatic elastase measurement. Sodium supplementation is recommended and a urinary sodium:creatinine ratio should be measured, corresponding to the fractional excretion of sodium. If iron deficiency is suspected, the underlying inflammation should be addressed. Glucose tolerance testing should be introduced at 10 years of age. Bone mineral density examination should be performed from age 8-10 years. Oral nutritional supplements followed by polymeric enteral tube feeding are recommended when growth or nutritional status is impaired. Zinc supplementation may be considered according to the clinical situation. Further studies are required before essential fatty acids, anti-osteoporotic agents, growth hormone, appetite stimulants and probiotics can be recommended.

CONCLUSION

Nutritional care and support should be an integral part of management of CF. Obtaining a normal growth pattern in children and maintaining an adequate nutritional status in adults are major goals of multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis centers.

[Breastfeeding and the anthropometric profile of children with sickle cell anemia receiving follow-up in a newborn screening reference service]

OBJECTIVE

To study breastfeeding history (BF) and the anthropometric status of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 357 children with SS and SC hemoglobinopathies aged between 2 and 6 years old receiving regular follow-up at a Newborn Screening Reference Service (NSRS) between November 2007 and January 2009. The outcome was anthropometric status and the exposures were: BF pattern, type of hemoglobinopathy and child's age and sex.

RESULTS

The average (SD) age was 3.7 (1.1) years, 52.9% were boys and 53.5% had SS hemoglobinopathy. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBR) up to six months of age was 31.5%, the median EBR times (p25-p75) was 90.0 (24.0-180.0) days and the median weaning ages (p25-p75) was 360.0 (90.0-20.0) days respectively. Normal W/H children experienced EBR for an average duration almost four times longer than malnourished children (p=0.01), and were weaned later (p<0.05). Height deficit was found in 5.0% of children, while all the children with severe short stature had SS hemoglobinopathy and were over 4 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

EBR time and weaning age were greater than found in the literature, which is a possible effect of the multidisciplinary follow-up. Duration of EBR and later weaning were associated with improved anthropometric indicators.

The impact of breastfeeding on lung development and function: a systematic review

With the global trend of increasing asthma and allergic disorders there is strong interest regarding early life nutrition as a potentially modifiable risk factor for lung disease. This systematic review includes 10 studies that assessed the effect of breastfeeding on lung growth and function. The review found breastfeeding to be beneficial for lung function, with the most consistent effect on increased forced vital capacity. There was no clear evidence that the relationship between breastfeeding and lung function was mediated through other factors. Furthermore, the findings from the few studies that investigated if maternal asthma modified the effect of breastfeeding on lung function were inconsistent. Further research is needed to determine the specific details such as duration and type (exclusive vs partial) of breastfeeding that leads to improved lung function.

Early nutrition patterns and diseases of adulthood: a plausible link?

In the last decades several studies tested the hypothesis that at early development stages certain foods or nutrients, in specific amounts, fed during limited sensitive periods, may determine an endocrine metabolic asset leading to clinical alterations that take place decades later (early nutritional programming of long term health). Evidence is mounting for programming effects of infant feeding. Observational studies indicate that breast feeding, relative to formula feeding, reduces the risk for obesity at school age by about 20% even after adjustment for biological and sociodemographic confounders. Moreover, breastfeeding is constantly associated with increased neurodevelopmental scores up to early adulthood, while its outcome in terms of delayed decay of brain function is still unknown. Besides the environment surrounding breastfeeding, specific nutrients within human milk may play a direct role. With the introduction of solids the major changes in diet are represented by the sudden decrease of fat intake from 50 to 30% of total energy. A protein excess, commonly found throughout all European Countries, has been associated to a higher risk of adiposity in early childhood, as confirmed by first reports from a large European trial. The amount of fat does not seem to be associated with later adiposity, while its quality may affect blood lipoproteins, blood pressure and neurodevelopmental performance. Early intake of dietary fibers might also have beneficial effects. Epidemiologic data show that episodes of rapid growth (growth acceleration hypothesis), whichever the dietary habits, are associated with later unfavorable health conditions and should be prevented.

Maintenance of nutritional status in patients with cystic fibrosis: new and emerging therapies

Poor clinical outcomes in cystic fibrosis are often associated with undernutrition. Normal growth and development should be achieved in cystic fibrosis, and nutritional counseling is paramount at all ages. Prevention and early detection of growth failure is the key to successful nutritional intervention. The advance in nutritional management is certainly one factor that has contributed to the improved survival in recent decades. This review outlines the major nutritional parameters in the management of the patient with cystic fibrosis, including recent advances in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and fat-soluble vitamin therapy. There are sections on complicated clinical situations which directly affect nutrition, for example, before and after lung transplantation, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and bone health.

Growth and pulmonary outcomes during the first 2 y of life of breastfed and formula-fed infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis through the Wisconsin Routine Newborn Screening Program

BACKGROUND

The optimal feeding (breast milk, formula, or a combination) for infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) is unknown. Recommendations from the CF Foundation are based on limited data.

OBJECTIVE

We compared growth and pulmonary outcomes between breastfed and formula-fed infants through the age of 2 y.

DESIGN

A total of 103 CF infants born in 1994-2006 and diagnosed through newborn screening in Wisconsin were studied. Breastfed infants were classified by the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (ExBF). Exclusive formula-feeding (ExFM) was classified by the formula's caloric density (ie, standard [0.67 kcal/mL (20 kcal/oz) (ExFM20)] throughout infancy or high density [≥0.74 kcal/mL (22 kcal/oz) (ExFM22+)] for some duration of infancy).

RESULTS

Fifty-three infants (51% of infants) were breastfed and 50 infants (49% of infants) were ExFM. In breastfed infants, the duration of ExBF was <1 mo (53% of infants), 1-1.9 mo (21% of infants), 2-3 mo (17% of infants), and 4-9 mo (9% of infants). In ExFM infants, 23 infants (46%) received a formula with a high caloric density; approximately half (n = 13) of the ExFM infants received the formula by 6 mo of age. Proportionately more infants with pancreatic sufficiency (n = 9) were ExBF ≥1 mo (44% of infants), and none of the infants were ExFM22+, compared with infants with meconium ileus (n = 24; 13% of infants were ExBF ≥1 mo, and 38% of infants were ExFM22+) or pancreatic insufficiency (n = 70; 25% of infants were ExBF ≥1 mo, and 20% of infants were ExFM22+) (P = 0.02). In infants with pancreatic insufficiency, weight z scores declined from birth to 6 mo (P < 0.0001) in infants who were ExBF ≥2 mo, and the number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections through the age of 2 y was fewer in breastfed than in ExFM infants (P = 0.003) but did not differ by the duration of ExBF.

CONCLUSION

For infants with CF, ExBF <2 mo does not compromise growth and is associated with a respiratory benefit.

Task-oriented and bottle feeding adversely affect the quality of mother-infant interactions after abnormal newborn screens

OBJECTIVE

To examine effects of newborn screening and neonatal diagnosis on the quality of mother-infant interactions in the context of feeding.

METHODS

Study compared the quality of mother-infant feeding interactions among 4 groups of infants classified by severity of newborn screening and diagnostic results: cystic fibrosis (CF), congenital hypothyroidism, heterozygote CF carrier, and healthy with normal newborn screening. The Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment and a task-oriented item measured the quality of feeding interactions for 130 dyads, infant ages 3 to 19 weeks (M = 9.19, SD = 3.28). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measured maternal depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

Composite Indicator Structure Equation Modeling showed that infant diagnostic status and, to a lesser extent, maternal education predicted feeding method. Mothers of infants with CF were most likely to bottle feed, which was associated with more task-oriented maternal behavior than breastfeeding. Mothers with low task-oriented behavior showed more sensitivity and responsiveness to infant cues, as well as less negative affect and behavior in their interactions with their infants than mothers with high task-oriented scores. Mothers of infants with CF were significantly more likely to have clinically significant anxiety and depression than the other groups. However, maternal psychological profile did not predict feeding method or interaction quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers in the CF group were the least likely to breastfeed. Research is needed to explicate long-term effects of feeding methods on quality of mother-child relationship and ways to promote continued breastfeeding after a neonatal CF diagnosis.

Nutritional considerations in patients with cystic fibrosis

Nutritional status is strongly associated with pulmonary function and survival in cystic fibrosis patients. Attainment of a normal growth pattern in childhood and maintenance of adequate nutritional status in adulthood represent major goals of multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis centers. International guidelines on energy intake requirements, pancreatic enzyme-replacement therapy and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation are of utmost importance in daily practice. The present review summarizes the most up-to-date information on early nutritional management in newly diagnosed patients and evaluates the benefits of aggressive nutritional support, assessment of nutritional status, recommendations for nutrition-related management in pancreatic-insufficient patients and the possible therapeutic impact of fat intake modulation upon inflammatory status.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation evidence-based guidelines for management of infants with cystic fibrosis

Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) offers the opportunity for early medical and nutritional intervention that can lead to improved outcomes. Management of the asymptomatic infant diagnosed with CF through newborn screening, prenatal diagnosis, or sibling screening is different from treatment of the symptomatically diagnosed individual. The focus of management is on maintaining health by preventing nutritional and respiratory complications. The CF Foundation convened a committee to develop recommendations based on a systematic review of the evidence and expert opinion. These guidelines encompass monitoring and treatment recommendations for infants diagnosed with CF and are intended to help guide families, primary care providers, and specialty care centers in the care of infants with CF.

Management of infants with cystic fibrosis: a summary of the evidence for the cystic fibrosis foundation working group on care of infants with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To inform the development of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation guidelines on the care of infants with CF, we systematically reviewed the evidence for diagnosis and assessment of pancreatic and pulmonary disorders; management of pancreatic and pulmonary function; management of nutrition and nutritional disorders; and prevention and control of infections.

STUDY DESIGN

In May-June 2008, we searched The Cochrane Library for existing reviews; and MEDLINE, the National Guideline Clearinghouse, the CF Foundation Clinical Practice Guidelines and Consensus Statements, and the UK CF Trust for existing guidelines. MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) were searched for primary studies in January 2008. Bibliographies of eligible articles were searched and expert input was sought. We selected English-language articles of any study design that provided original data on any of our questions on infants up to 2 years of age.

RESULTS

We identified 14 relevant guidelines and 3 Cochrane reviews. Fifty-nine articles (55 primary studies) were included. Only four of these were randomized controlled trials. Sample sizes of infants ranged from 2 to 768 study participants; the median sample size was 24. Of our 21 review topics, 5 topics had only one study while for 5 we identified no relevant studies. We identified one or no primary studies for 20 of 32 review questions.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a paucity of evidence on the care of infants diagnosed with CF. For several of the review questions no guidelines or primary studies were identified, but for other questions, studies limited by weak design and small sample sizes were the only studies identified. With increasing numbers of infants with CF being diagnosed by newborn screening there is an opportunity to study the management of infants diagnosed with CF.