Milk has long been recognized to constitute a complete, well-balanced source of the nutrients and energy required to ensure the proper postnatal growth and development of infants. A growing body of evidence suggests the positive effects of dairy products and particularly of milk proteins on linear growth also in older children, both healthy or during recovery from malnutrition. This evidence led the way to the performance of extensive research aimed to delineate the components of milk and the mechanisms acting to make milk so effective. The present review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the influence of milk and its proteins on linear growth in healthy and malnourished children, focusing also on other important aspects of healthy growth, including bone health, weight status, and body composition.

Objective To evaluate the incidence and severity of ketoacidosis (DKA) at type 1 diabetes diagnosis during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Israel. Research Design and Methods A population-based study the product of a national collaboration of Israeli pediatric diabetes centers investigated the presentation of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. The frequencies of DKA and severe DKA observed during the COVID-19 period from March 15, 2020 (commencement of the first nationwide lockdown) until June 30, 2020 were compared with the same periods in 2019, 2018, and 2017 using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic position. Results During the COVID-19 period, DKA incidence was 58.2%, significantly higher than in 2019 (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.18 [95% CI, 1.31-3.60], P = 0.003); 2018 (aOR 2.05 [95% CI, 1.26-3.34], P = 0.004); and 2017 (aOR, 1.79 [95% CI,1.09-2.93], P = 0.022). The incidence of severe DKA was 19.9%, significantly higher than in 2018 (aOR, 2.49 [95% CI, 1.20-5.19], P = 0.015) and 2017 (aOR, 2.73 [95% CI,1.28-5.82], P = 0.009). In 2020, admissions and duration of stay in the intensive care unit were higher than in previous years (P = 0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic, children aged 6-11 years had higher incidences of DKA (61.3% vs 34.0%, 40.6%, and 45.1%, respectively, P = 0.012), and severe DKA (29.3% vs 15.1%, 10.9%, and 5.9%, respectively, P = 0.002). Conclusions The dramatic increase in DKA at presentation of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic mandates targeted measures to raise public and physician awareness.

Background: Women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are more susceptible than men to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Signs of increased risk may already appear among adolescent girls.Objectives: We explored the contribution of body composition to the development of CVD risk factors among youth with T1D.Methods: One hundred and eighty nine subjects with T1D (mean age 15.3 ± 5.1 years, 55% boys) followed between January 2018–January 2022 were included in this observational study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were extracted from medical files. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and muscle‐to‐fat ratio (MFR) z‐scores were calculated. Logistic regression model assessed the association between body composition (MFR z‐scores) and evidence of CVD risk factors.Results: Females were characterised by higher median BMI z‐scores (0.47 vs. 0.04, p = 0.012), higher fat and truncal fat percentage levels (p ≤ 0.001) and lower median MFR z‐scores (−0.64 vs. −0.25, p ≤ 0.001), higher median triglyceride (TG) levels (71 vs. 61 mg/dl, p = 0.05), longer disease duration to initiation of insulin pump therapy (p = 0.041), and more time spent in marked hypoglycemia (1 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.007) than males. Males' MFR z‐scores were associated with several diabetes‐related parameters (age at diagnosis, CGM metrics, HbA1c and insulin dose), while the females'' MFR z‐scores were linked to the atherogenic dyslipidemia index (TG:HDL ratio). The odds for CVD risk factors were doubled for every 1 SD decrease in MFR z‐score (OR = 0.50, CI [0.30–0.84], p = 0.009) and also increased with age (OR = 1.07, CI [1.004–1.148], p = 0.038).Conclusions: Body composition measurement has a predictive value in CVD risk assessment in youth with T1D, with unique characteristics and influences in each sex.