Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:659

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX659

Authors:
Luque Moreno, Verónica

Abstract:
Background: Protein intake has been associated with kidney growth and function in human observational studies, and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) has been postulated as a mediator of this process. Although this mechanism has been shown by animal models, randomized control trials have not been published in healthy infants. Methods: this multicenter European clinical trial (EU Childhood Obesity Project) examined 601 healthy 6-month-old formula-fed infants randomly assigned within the first 8 weeks of life (median 14 days) to receive an infant formula with higher or lower protein content. For comparison, 204 breastfed infants were also followed. Conclusions: higher protein content of infant formula increases kidney size at 6 months of life, whereas a lower protein supply achieves a normal kidney size relative to healthy breastfed infants. Protein intake has a direct significant relation with IGF-1 secretion. IGF-1 is a mediator of body and kidney growth, induced by protein intake