
This has been suggested as a cause of minor irritability or colic. The malabsorption of carbohydrates produces excess hydrogen gas. 7 These findings have resulted in an advisory from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition for moderation in the amount of sorbitol-containing fruit juices fed to children. 4, 5, 7, 8 In another study, children younger than 6 years incompletely absorbed oral fructose when it was administered alone (0.7 to 2.0 g/kg) if given with equimolar amounts of glucose, its absorption was enhanced. 4 - 7 For example, juices containing sorbitol and high fructose-to-glucose ratios, such as apple or pear juice, exhibit incomplete carbohydrate absorption in children from 6 months to 5 years of age. The chemical makeup of such a popular food and its absorption from the infant's gut have been the interest of several investigators. 3, 4 According to a survey conducted by juice manufacturers, more than 90% of all infants consume some type of fruit juice by 1 year of age. 1, 2 Intake usually starts when supplemental foods are introduced to the infant at 4 to 6 months of age. This has resulted in a multimillion dollar market for fruit juices packaged exclusively for infant consumption. Therefore, fruit juices containing sorbitol and high levels of fructose may not be optimal for young infants.įRUIT JUICES are an integral part of an infant's diet because of taste, availability, low price, and positive exposure as a healthy snack food. Most of the infants who had carbohydrate malabsorption consumed pear juice. When grouped according to the type of juice consumed, only infants fed pear juice exhibited increases in physical activity ( P<.01).Ĭonclusions Carbohydrate malabsorption is associated with increased physical activity and metabolic rate in infants. These infants also exhibited both increased physical activity ( P<.001) and metabolic rate ( P<.05) after juice consumption in comparison with infants with normal carbohydrate absorption. Results When compared with the infants without carbohydrate malabsorption (peak breath hydrogen level <20 ppm above baseline), 5 of the 7 infants fed pear juice and 2 of the 7 infants fed white grape juice exhibited carbohydrate malabsorption (peak breath hydrogen level ≥20 ppm above baseline P<.01). Carbohydrate absorption was determined by breath hydrogen gas analysis.
#Fruitjuice newborn free
Pear juice contains sorbitol and a high fructose–glucose ratio, whereas white grape juice is sorbitol free and has a low fructose–glucose ratio. Seven were fed pear juice, and the other 7 were fed white grape juice (120 mL) after a 2-hour fast. Methods Physical activity and metabolic rate were determined in 14 healthy infants ( age, 5.1☐.8 months weight, 7.8☑.1 kg length, 67±4.2 cm and body fat, 26%±5%) for 3 hours in a respiratory chamber. We hypothesized that increased physical activity and metabolic rate may be associated with carbohydrate malabsorption. However, fruit juices containing sorbitol may be associated with carbohydrate malabsorption without clinical symptoms. Shared Decision Making and Communicationīackground Most infants consume fruit juices by 6 months of age.

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