[Health and nutritional status of 'alternatively' fed infants and young children, facts and uncertainties. I. Definitions and general health status indicators].

In this first article out of a series of two articles, a critical review of available scientific information on the nutritional consequences of alternative and especially vegan-type food habits in infants and preschool children is presented. This article involves definitions and information on general health indicators, such as the health of mothers during pregnancy and the growth and development of children. Some difficulties in interpreting available literature are also discussed. Many of the available case studies do not seem to be representative for population groups of infants and children fed alternative diets. Population studies mostly lack a control group and do not provide information on whether the sample is representative or not. Because of changing alternative food habits, some studies may be outdated. Alternatively fed toddlers six months to three years old, especially macrobiotics and veganists, seem to be somewhat smaller than their counterparts eating mixed diets, whereas there is some evidence of increased growth after the age of two years. The significance of these differences is not completely clear.