Nucleotides Suplementation in the Nutritional Management of Infants with Acute Diarrhea

Recently it has been suggested that nucleotides should be added to infant dietary formula to promote stimulating effects on growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract as well as on the immune response. Objective: To compare the efficacy of nucleotide supplementation to an infant dietary formula, associated with oral rehydration therapy for the treatment of infants with acute diarrhea and dehydration. Subjects: Eighty-one male infants, older than one month and younger than one year of age, with acute non-cholera diarrhea and dehydration were studied. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed. Patients were assigned either to a supplemented group receiving a formula with nucleotides or a non-supplemented group. They were followed-up in a metabolic unit where body weight, all intakes and outputs were recorded every 24-hour during hospitalization. Laboratory evaluations, including electrolytes, were also monitored. Results: Data showed that the outcome variables studied, including stool output and duration of diarrhea, were not significantly different between the groups. The prevalence of malnutrition according to the weight-for-height index was 12%. Mean energy intake and weight gain were similar between groups. Clinical features and outcome variables during hospitalization were: