Dietitians (NDIGuk)

Clinical guidelines/position statements

Exclusive Breastfeeding

NB These both relate to term infants.

1. WHO statement on exclusive breastfeeding

2. BDA Paediatric Group statement on exclusive breastfeeding

Use of soya formulas

1. DoH statement

CMO’s Update 37 January 2004 page 2

2. Committee on toxicity (COT)

COT have produced a very detailed 444 page report ; COT 2003 Phytoestrogens and health. Food Standards Agency

3. BDA Paed Gp statement

Vitamin supplementation

A survey of practice in UK neonatal units carried out in 1996 and repeated in 2001(NDIGuk unpublished) showed huge variation in use of vitamin supplements due partly to the large variation in amounts provided by different milks - breast milk, fortified breast milk, low birthweight formulas and post discharge formulas, but also due to routine prescribing of supplements regardless of intake from milk. Following recent supply problems with the already limited range of vitamin preparations available in the UK, members of NDIGuk have collected the necessary information in order to make recommendations to form the basis for a clinical practice guideline on this topic in collaboration with members of BAPM. As none of the currently available products are ‘ideal’ it may also form the basis for development of a more suitable product.