Infant feeding in the first year of age: composition and nutritional influence of the diet.

In recent years there has been a remarkable progress in infant nutrition, thanks to important development in the fields of nutrition, and food preparation and storage. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health) has carried out the analytical control of the composition of infant foods present on the Italian market, and verified the nutritional quality and the presence, if any, of undesirable substances. Since 1980 the research has often required the development of specific and accurate analytical methods for these products. Adapted and follow-up formulas, cereal-based weaning products and those meant for subjects in special physiological conditions (premature, coeliac, allergic) have been analyzed, monitoring their qualitative transformation during the years. The main essential nutrients-proteins, lipids and minerals-have been assayed to evaluate whether the nutritional requirements of infants during the first year of life were satisfied. The protein and lipid composition of infant formulas was compared with that of human milk, and the influence of such feedings on plasma amino acid levels and erythrocyte fatty acids was assessed.