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Dietary Factors Affecting Trace Element Absorption in Infants

Rarely in life will the diet be so monotonous for such a long time as in infancy. Commonly an infant will receive breast milk or a formula 5-6 times a day for up to 4-6 months of age. This puts very high demands on the nutritional adequacy of infant diets, since any nutrient deficiency or excess will be exacerbated by the prolonged consumption. While the breastfed infant usually appears protected against nutritional imbalances, the situation for the formula-fed infant is less clear. Many nutrients, such as the trace elements, are present in low concentrations in cow milk, whey and soy protein isolate, the raw materials for infants formulas, and are therefore added as inorganic salts to the product. The proper level of supplementation to use is a constant subject of discussion and further information is needed on the bioavailability of trace elements from various diets and how individual dietary factors will affect their absorption. In addition, interactions between trace elements as well as between other nutrients and trace elements need to be evaluated. Only when such information is available is it possible to more firmly establish recommended “safe and adequate levels” to use in formulas.