Looking Beyond the Growth Curve: A Retrospective Study on Nutrient Deficient Diets in Children with Severe Food Selectivity

Severe food selectivity places children at risk for nutrient deficiencies and long-term medical complications, if unaddressed. However, poor nutrition in highly selective eaters is often overlooked when considering other behavioral or medical concerns. Additionally, studies regarding food selectivity are sparse and limited to children with developmental delays. This study further investigates the nutritional deficiencies and growth characteristics of children with severe food selectivity to assist pediatricians in the earlier identification of patients for nutrition screening. A retrospective chart review was completed for 13 patients admitted to a pediatric feeding program solely for table-textured food selectivity. Nutrition and anthropometric data from the medical record were analyzed. All patients were determined to be following an age-appropriate growth curve but had multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Additionally, 6 children were typically developing outside of the feeding context. Results suggest that children with food selectivity may require more intensive and earlier nutrition screening beyond their growth patterns.

Maternal immunization with the capsular polysaccharide vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae type b

Maternal immunization with the capsular polysaccharide (PRP) vaccine of Haemophilus influenzae type b has been shown to extend the time that protective levels of maternal antibody are detected in infants. In a randomized, blinded trial, PRP or placebo was administered uneventfully to 213 women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Infants born to PRP recipients had significantly higher levels of antibody to PRP than did infants born to placebo recipients: 2.73 micrograms/ml compared with 0.33 microgram/ml. It was estimated that infants of mothers who received the PRP vaccine would be protected for an average of 4 months compared to an average of only 2 months for those of mothers who received placebo. Infants were followed for invasive H. influenzae type b disease through the first year of life; none was detected.