NNI BITES, BIG LEARNINGS

In this episode of Milestones in Pediatric Nutrition, Professor Andrew Prentice speaks with Professor Stanley Zlotkin from the University of Toronto about the development and global impact of sprinkles and multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs). Professor Zlotkin describes how his formative experience in Nigeria inspired his commitment to addressing childhood malnutrition. Recognizing poor complian...

In this episode of Milestones in Pediatric Nutrition, Professor Andrew Prentice interviews Professor Keith West from Johns Hopkins University about the development and impact of universal vitamin A supplementation programs. Professor West traces the evolution from early clinical observations linking vitamin A deficiency to ocular manifestations and childhood blindness, to the pivotal studies in th...

In this episode of Milestones in Pediatric Nutrition, Professor Andrew Prentice interviews Dr. Mercedes de Onis, the principal architect of the WHO Child Growth Standards now used in over 150 countries worldwide. Dr. de Onis discusses the limitations of earlier growth references, particularly the NCHS curves, which were based primarily on U.S. populations and often suggested growth faltering in br...

Professor Kate Ward shares how calcium and iron are vital nutrients throughout the reproductive life course, with heightened importance during adolescence, pregnancy, and lactation. Adequate intake through balanced diets, and targeted supplementation where needed, supports bone health, fetal development, and anemia-prevention. Population-specific guidance and further research are key to addressing...

Dr. Otilia Perichart-Perera discusses how optimal maternal nutrition during lactation supports the mother’s health, as well as the infant’s growth and development. Breastfeeding increases energy and nutrient demands, making adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamin D essential. Balanced diets, appropriate supplementation, and strong breastfeeding support can help sustain milk quali...

Dr. Nandita Perumal highlights how balanced, diverse, and nutrient-rich diets are essential for healthy pregnancy outcomes. Increased energy and nutrient needs during pregnancy support maternal health, placental function, and fetal growth. Meeting, but not exceeding, these nutritional requirements helps ensure appropriate gestational weight gain and reduces the risk of adverse outcomes, supporting...

Dr. Linden Stocker and Professor Alexandra Kermack discuss how preconception nutrition and lifestyle choices made by both parents have a lasting impact on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the long-term health of their children. Balanced dietary patterns rich in essential macro and micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, support reproductive health, while excess alcohol, caffeine, and ultra-proc...

Professor Elvira Verduci talks about complementary feeding as a critical window for shaping future health, emphasizing its role in bridging nutrient gaps beyond six months. She explains the importance of introducing solids between 17 and 26 weeks, noting that earlier introduction may have health risks, while delays may cause deficiencies. She further explains how responsive feeding and parenting s...

Professor Julie Mennella explores how biological and experiential factors shape infants’ acceptance of complementary foods, beginning with flavor learning in utero through exposure to maternal diet in amniotic fluid and breast milk. She explains that taste and smell are functional before birth, with innate preferences for sweet and umami, aversions to bitter and sour, and an evolving acceptance of...

Professor Agnes Leung highlights how cultural, environmental, and dietary factors shape food allergy prevention, combining insights from Eastern and Western perspectives. She notes differences in prevalence, allergen profiles, and anaphylaxis trends, with peanuts and tree nuts noted to be more common in the West, while shellfish and certain local foods predominate in Asia. She discusses both the L...

Professor Luis Moreno discusses the important role of complementary feeding in preventingchildhood obesity, highlighting the need for timely introduction to support healthygrowth and reduce long-term obesity risk. The discussion explores how early or delayedintroduction of solids, consumption of high energy-dense foods, and excessive animalprotein can increase adiposity, while nutrient-dense, fibe...

Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta shares insights on the first 1,000 days from conception to two years, highlighting the links between early growth, optimal nutrition, neurodevelopment, and lifelong potential. This episode delves into the the crucial period of early growth and its impact on long-term cognitive development and overall health. It explores key elements—such as appropriate nutrition and a healthy e...

Dr. Berthold Koletzko shares the long-term benefits of maximizing the “window of opportunity” for growth and nutrition in early life, in line with healthy growth trajectories measured through z-scores for length, weight, body fat, metabolic markers, and more. The episode also delves into the initial results of an ongoing clinical trial and the effects of reduced protein intake on toddlerhood and l...

Dr. Rosan Meyer shares guidance on defining faltering growth (FG) and provides key updates on the interplay of factors that may cause FG as well as its prevalence across populations. Early identification and targeted intervention through regular monitoring and nutritional support are crucial to improving long-term outcomes. This podcast presents the latest clinical recommendations for proper asses...

Dr. Tanis Fenton discusses the different genetic and environmental factors to take into consideration when evaluating normal growth in infants and children. A child’s position on a chart does not tell the whole story as nutrition, genetic potential, or body composition influence an individual's normal growth. This episode further emphasizes the need to look beyond standard growth charts and, inste...

Dr. Gianluca Lista examines the relationship between early nutrition and brain development in preterm infants. The discussion summarizes the latest knowledge on human milk and its components, such as HMOs and LCPUFAs, and how these can contribute to neurodevelopmental processes, specifically myelination and grey and white matter brain maturation.​ For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition...

Dr. Catalina Bazacliu discusses recent studies on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), focusing on the varied approaches to nutritional management of infants with established BPD and exploring nutritional preventive strategies. She highlights the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in examining the personalized nutrition needs of each individual infant.​ For Healthcare...

Dr. Georg Gerber gives an overview of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is applied in microbiome research today — a timely topic which includes recent case studies, ethical considerations, challenges, as well as future trends and integration in clinical practice. For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Dr. Samantha Rodriguez expounds on nutritional strategies to help mitigate the severity of complications associated with preterm infants, supporting optimal outcomes. She also discusses the protective factors in breast milk and the use of modern technology to advance knowledge in this research area. For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Dr. Alexandra Zhernakova expounds on the infant gut virome, discussing the current understanding of its role in infant health and development, along with recent research breakthroughs. This episode also explores how evolving research in this field may impact future clinical practice. For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Dr. Andrew Bartko defines the term “Microbiome Science” and explains its importance for human health and wellness. Additionally, the episode discusses the global microbial biodiversity crisis, and how microbiome sequencing may be able to improve patient health in the future.  For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez defines what Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs) are and how the gut microbiota impacts the gut-brain axis. He also shares how these disorders manifest in patients and whether there is evidence that probiotics can help manage DGBIs in infants.  For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Dr. Bruno Barreto expounds on the relationship between decreasing microbial diversity and increasing food allergy in the modern world. This episode also dives into interventions to support a healthy gut microbiota in preventing food allergies, such as the important role of breastfeeding. For Healthcare Professionals Only Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Dr. Keith Godfrey talks about how maternal nutrition and prenatal factors shape fetal growth and influence long-term offspring health, including cardiovascular, neurobehavioral, and metabolic outcomes. Maternal constraints like body composition, metabolism, and diet quality influence fetal development. The episode emphasizes intervention strategies to improve maternal health before and during preg...

Dr. Vincent Jaddoe discusses how early-life growth during the preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood, critically impacts long-term cardio-metabolic health. He highlights the lasting effects of adverse fetal exposures and poor growth on cardiovascular outcomes. Using advanced imaging techniques like MRI, Dr. Jaddoe illustrates the impact of childhood obesity on key organ systems, including t...