Timing of complementary feeding introduction and quality index of dietary intake in healthy infants up to 18 months of life: The cognis study

Introduction: The first 2 years of life constitute a critical win-
dow for infant growth and development. Complementary feeding
(CF) must cover nutritional needs and provide essential nutrients.
We analyze CF timing introduction and quality index (QI) of
dietary intake (DI) in infants fed standard formula (SF) vs. bioac-
tive nutrients-enriched formula (EF), and breastfed infants (BF) to
check adequacy to recommendations.
Methods: The current study involved 141 infants participating
in the COGNIS study [SF (n=48), EF (n=56), and BF (n= 37)] up
to 18 months of age. Timing of CF introduction and DI composi-
tion were assessed using a three-days dietary record. Nutrient
Adequacy Ratio and Mean Adequacy Ratio were calculated to
identify the QI of DI and CF.
Results: Results showed an excessive energy intake from CF,
and higher energy from proteins and carbohydrates, as well as an
earlier CF introduction, in SF and EF compared to BF group at 6
months. In general, up to 18 months of age, excess micronutrients
intake (vitamins and minerals was reported. Regarding QI of fatty
acids intake, infants fed with EF were closer to adequate intake
recommendations.
Conclusion: Our results indicates that type of diet (infant for-
mula or BF) received may be responsible for the differences in the
timing of introduction of CF and nutrients intake up to 18 months
of life. The QI resulted closer to the recommendations in the EF
group than in the SF, especially regarding fatty acids intake.