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A Belgian consensus-statement on growing-up milks for children 12–36 months old

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Abstract

Growing-up milks (GUM) are milk-based drinks with low protein and added minerals and vitamins intended for children 12–36 months. Since the advantages of GUM are heavily debated, we reviewed the literature. A literature search was done using the classic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane) on the use of GUM in 12- to 36-month-old young children. Only limited data are available. GUM have a highly variable composition as their marketing is not regulated. Nevertheless, all papers conclude that GUM help to cover nutritional requirements of 12- to 36-month-old infants. Conclusion: Appropriate intakes of macro- and micronutrients in 1- to 3-year-old children have long-term health benefits. Present diets offered to toddlers do in general not meet the requirements. Supplemented foods are therefore helpful, of which GUM is a possibility.

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Abbreviations

EFSA:

European Food Safety Authority

ESPGHAN:

European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

GUM:

Growing-up milk

NPNS:

National Pre-school Nutrition Survey

PRI:

Population Reference Intake

RDA:

Recommended Daily Intake

WHO:

World Health Organisation

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Conflict of interest

No potential COI of any of the authors regarding this manuscript.

Author contributions

Y Vandenplas has participated as a clinical investigator, and/or advisory board member, and/or consultant, and/or speaker for Abbott Nutrition, Biogaia, Biocodex, Danone, Hero, Nestle Nutrition Institute, Nutricia, Mead Johnson, Merck, Orafti, Pfizer, Phacobel, Sari Husada, Sucampo, Takeda, United Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth and Yakult.

J. Rigo has participated as a clinical investigator, and/or advisory board member, and/or consultant, and/or speaker for Abbott, Baxter Healthcare, Danone, Mead Johnson, Nestle Nutrition

Daniel Brasseur is a member of the Danone Institute.

P. Goyens is a consultant and/or investigator and/or speaker for Danone Waters, Merck Serono and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

I. Scheers, AM Van De Sompel, M. Robert, N. De Ronne, K. Huysentruyt have no potential conflict of interest to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium

    Yvan Vandenplas & Koen Huysentruyt

  2. Kind en Gezin, Brussels, Belgium

    Nadine De Ronne

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Annemie Van De Sompel

  4. University Children’s Hospital Queen Fabiola, Brussels, Belgium

    Martine Robert, Daniel Brasseur & P. Goyens

  5. University of Liège, CHU Liège, CHR Citadelle, 4000, Liège, Belgium

    Jacques Rigo

  6. Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Isabelle Scheers

Authors
  1. Yvan Vandenplas
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  2. Nadine De Ronne
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  3. Annemie Van De Sompel
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  4. Koen Huysentruyt
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  5. Martine Robert
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  6. Jacques Rigo
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  7. Isabelle Scheers
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  8. Daniel Brasseur
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  9. P. Goyens
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yvan Vandenplas.

Additional information

Communicated by Peter de Winter

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Vandenplas, Y., De Ronne, N., Van De Sompel, A. et al. A Belgian consensus-statement on growing-up milks for children 12–36 months old. Eur J Pediatr 173, 1365–1371 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2321-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2321-7

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