الفهرس 
WEANINGOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Weaning is a complex process it involves microbiological, biochemical, nutritional, immunological and psychological adjustments for the infants.
Weaning as a critical period in the life of the infant. It represents a GIT stress factor during his transition phase. Many studies on animals and humans revealed this stress effect of weaning on the immature gut.
Honey has been confirmed to have a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal disorders, wound haling and as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory agent. It is of greater interest as prebiotic because it contains many oligosaccharides and low molecular weight polysaccharides likely to resist degradation by host enzymes and thus be available as a nutrient source for the microflora in the large bowel.
Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein with in-vitro bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties. It is found in abundance in neutrophils which account for 60% of protein in cytosol with lower concentrations in monocytes and macrophage. Measurement of faecal calprotectin represents a marker of neutrophil influx into bowel lumen and in turn a marker of intestinal inflammation. It is a sensitive but non specific marker of intestinal inflammation.
This follow up study was conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Ain Shams University. It included 22 healthy infants during weaning their period. The infants were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The 1st group received conventional weaning diet plus honey and the 2nd group received the usual weaning diet. Both groups were followed up for 4 weeks.
The infants data included age, duration of breast feeding and duration of exclusive breast feeding. Infants examination included anthropometric measurements, and systemic examination. These data were taken before and after 4 weeks of their weaning practice.
Laboratory investigations included complete stool analysis and estimation of calprotectin in stool using ELISA method.
Comparison between the initial data of the two studied groups showed non significant difference regarding anthropometric measurements, yet there was an increase in these values after follow up in both groups.
Comparing fecal calportectin level between the 2 studied groups and its rate of change showed a non significant decrease in fecal calportectin after honey supplementation in the group supplemented with honey, whereas the other group showed a non significant increase compared to the pre-interventional state.