Quality-Protein Maize as the Sole Source of Dietary Protein and Fat for Rapidly Growing Young Children

Abstract

Earlier studies demonstrated that quality protein maize (QPM), with increased lysine and tryptophan and decreased leucine contents, was more digestible and supported 45% greater nitrogen retention than common maize. Ten recovering malnourished children (ages 13 to 29 months, height-ages 5 to 15 months, weight-ages 3 to 11 months) have now received 90% of their diet energy and 100% of protein and fat from QPM. Energy intake was adjusted to allow them to reach the 50th centile of weight-for-length (according to the National Center for Health Statistics) in 90 days (two completed 60 days only). Growth was compared with that of 10 children receiving modified cow's milk formula (CMF). Energy intakes (QPM 110 ± 15, CMF 106 ± 12, corrected for absorption to 94 and 97 kcal/kg.d), crude energy costs of gain (43 ± 9 and 40 ± 10, corrected to 37 and 37 kcal/g), linear growth (1.23 ± 0.24 and 1.33 ± 0.26 cm/mo), gains in height-age (3.1 ± 0.7 and 3.3 ± 1.2 mo), weight gain (2.6 ± 0.6 and 2.6 ± 0.8 g/kg.d), and final sums of fat folds (24.3 ± 3.5 and 27.2 ± 2.9 mm) were not different. Gains in weight-age were greater (7.5 ± 2.3 vs 5.4 ± 1.6 months, P < .05) and serum albumin decreased (4.10 ± 0.24 to 3.77 ± 0.31 g/dL, P < .01) during QPM feeding. Plasma-free total essential amino acids and ratio of these to total essential amino acids were less after QPM than after CMF diets. Equal growth rates with QPM and CMF diets offer great potential for developing- and developed-country children.