# Individualized Nutritional Counseling Closes Growth and Nutrition Gaps in Infants With Food Protein‐Induced Allergic Proctocolitis: 6‐Month Follow‐Up Study

## TL;DR

Infants with a food allergy called FPIAP can catch up in growth and nutrition with personalized dietary advice from a dietitian.

## Contribution

The study shows individualized nutritional counseling effectively addresses growth and nutrition gaps in FPIAP infants.

## Key findings

- FPIAP infants had lower weight and height at the start but caught up in height by 12 months.
- FPIAP infants consumed less protein, calcium, and vitamin B2 compared to healthy controls.
- Personalized dietitian counseling improved nutrient intake and growth in FPIAP infants.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and nutritional intake of infants with food protein‐induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) on a therapeutic elimination diet until 1 year of age, compared to healthy controls. This case–control study followed 13 FPIAP infants and 22 healthy controls from 6 to 12 months. FPIAP infants and their mothers adhered to a cow's milk protein elimination diet. All mothers received complementary feeding education; FPIAP mothers had individualized dietitian counseling. Growth and nutritional intake were assessed at 6, 7, 9, and 12 months. During the study, the weight‐for‐age of infants with FPIAP was found to be lower compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). Height‐for‐age was shorter in infants with FPIAP than in controls at the beginning of the study (p < 0.05), and this difference disappeared when the infants were 12 months old (p > 0.05). During and after the elimination diet, total protein (g) and animal protein intakes of infants with FPIAP were lower than those of controls (p < 0.05). Similarly, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B2 intakes were lower in the FPIAP group during and after the elimination diet (p < 0.05). Individualized nutritional counseling supports adequate growth and nutrition in FPIAP infants, highlighting the importance of breast milk continuity and tailored complementary feeding.

Infants with FPIAP on a cow's milk protein elimination diet often experience growth delays and inadequate intake of protein, calcium, and vitamin B2, which can affect development without nutritional support. Individualized nutritional counseling improves growth and nutrient intake in breastfed FPIAP infants, closing growth differences with healthy peers by 12 months. FPIAP, Food Protein‐İnduced Allergic Proctocolitis.