Role of functional nutrition in reducing the incidence of acute respiratory infections in children

Objective. To study the role of adapted formulas and drinks in reducing the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in infants and toddlers. Patients and methods. This study was conducted in two stages: stage 1 included infants (0–1 year) (n = 105), and stage 2 included the same children aged 1 to 3 years (n = 96). In the control group (n = 35, 0–1 year; n = 32, 1–3 years), children were breastfed during the first year of life. In the study group (n = 35, 0–1 year; n = 32, 1–3 years), children received adapted formulas and drinks based on New Zealand goat’s whole milk: between 1 and 5 months – NANNI 1; from 6 months – NANNI 2; between 1 and 3 years – NANNI 3 in the amount of 200 mL/day. In the comparison group (n = 35, 0–1 year; n = 32, 1–3 years), children received an adapted milk formula based on whole cow’s milk protein: formula 1 in the first 6 months of life, formula 2 in the second 6 months of life, and formula 3 between the ages of 1 and 3 years in the amount of 200 mL/day. At the first and second stages, we evaluated the incidence of ARI episodes during the year and mucosal immunity parameters: cellular composition of smears, cytomorphological features and functional activity of neutrophils (phagocytosis, intracellular biocide concentration, intraleukocytic enzyme systems: myeloperoxidase, cationic proteins, acid phosphatase). Results. The mean number of ARI episodes during the first and second stages in the study group (2.3) did not differ from the control group (1.8, p > 0.05). The incidence of ARIs was higher in the comparison group (3.6; p < 0.05). The content of the main cell populations in the rhinocytogram (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, epithelial cells) at the first and second stages was comparable in children in the study and control groups; in these groups, fewer cells with pronounced damage and higher phagocytic activity of neutrophils were recorded. The maximum levels of enzyme systems were registered in children in the control group (myeloperoxidase: 0.41 OD × 10-3; acid phosphatase: 0.39 OD × 10-3; cationic proteins: 0.29 OD × 10-3). The levels of enzyme systems in the study group at the first and second stages were comparable. Conclusion. A lower incidence of ARIs, optimal body resistance both in infants and toddlers develop against the background of breastfeeding. Children who received formulas based on New Zealand goat’s milk had higher resistance compared to those who received adapted milk formulas based on whole cow’s milk protein, and their mucosal immunity parameters approached the values of these parameters in breastfed infants. Key words: children, infants and toddlers, functional nutrition, adapted formulas, acute respiratory infections