Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute Shares the Latest in Infant Nutrition Science at International Conference in Taiwan

Scientists from the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute (MJPNI) shared the Institute’s latest research at the 4th World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition held last November in Taipei, Taiwan.

The Congress provided an opportunity for the MJPNI to present the most recent findings from the Global Exploration of Human Milk (GEHM) Study, a collaborative effort between the MJPNI and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a world leader in the study of human milk. One of the only international cohorts of its kind, the GEHM Study was created to develop a global view of the composition and function of human milk, and its impact on infant health and development.

Events included a satellite symposium sponsored by the MJPNI. Titled “From Cell to System: Advancing Children’s Digestive Health” the symposium was chaired by Colin Rudolph, M.D., Ph.D., vice president of global medical affairs and chief medical officer, Mead Johnson Nutrition, and was attended by more than 300 physicians.

Participants heard presentations from world-leading experts on a variety of subjects concerning infant nutrition, health and development.

Steven Altschuler, M.D., president and CEO, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the Mead Johnson Nutrition Board of Directors, conducted a session on the potential benefits of the infant healthcare program during a session titled, “Integrated Value-Based Pediatric Care.”

Roberto Bernini Canani, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Naples in Italy discussed “Gut Microbiota as a Target for the Management of Cow’s Milk Allergy,” while Glen Furtata, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado focused on “Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children,” which explored how gastrointestinal pain, diarrhea, poor eating and difficulty swallowing may be treated by diet restrictions or medication.

Mead Johnson’s scientists also presented two poster sessions that outlined important research the company has undertaken to support the critical development of infants through their first year of life, including:

• The Impact of Early Nutrition on Respiratory Disease and Diarrhea in the First Year of Life, which found that early nutrition with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Arachidonic acid (ARA) supplementation is associated with lower incidence of respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as diarrhea during the first year of life.
  

• Neonatal Enteral Consumption of Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFA) via Human Milk Improves Preterm Infant Plasma DHA Levels, which demonstrated that preterm infants fed breast milk supplemented with DHA (both from maternal DHA intake and the addition of a liquid human milk fortifier) had higher levels of DHA in their plasma.
  

“This Congress provided an opportunity for scientists from the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute to interact with clinicians from around the world while adding to the growing body of research we use to support our mission of nourishing the world’s children’s for the best start in life,” said Dr. Rudolph.

For more information about World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, visit www.wcpghan2012.com

The Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute (MJPNI) had a prominent presence at the 2012 World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (WCPGHAN) held recently in Taiwan

Qiang Zhang, Ph.D., (left), senior scientist, Global Discovery, MJPNI, discussed details from the GEHM study with a guest at the MJPNI booth.

Roberto Bernini Canani, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics, University of Naples, Italy, discusses new concepts in the management of cow’s milk protein allergy to an audience of more than 300 people.