Nutrition for children with special dietary needs

Children with special needs

Many infants and young children face common health challenges early in life, where appropriate nutrition can play a vital role in improving outcomes. These challenges may include preterm birth, skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, cow’s milk protein allergy, and digestive issues such as reflux, diarrhea, constipation, colic, excessive gas, and persistent crying.

At Danone Research & Innovation , we focus our scientific efforts on understanding the links between nutrition, immunity, allergy, and gut health. This commitment drives our mission to develop tailored nutritional solutions that support the specific needs of infants and young children experiencing these early-life concerns.

By combining research-driven insights with clinical collaboration, we aim to ensure every child receives the best possible support for healthy growth, development, and overall well-being.

Why specialized nutrition matters

Beyond addressing specific health issues, nutrition plays a fundamental role in determining immediate outcomes and long-term health trajectories. Scientific research increasingly confirms the idea that the early nutritional environment influences not only physical growth, but also neurological development, immune system strength, and metabolic efficiency.

For example, adequate nutritional intake during early childhood has been associated with:

  • Improved cognitive function.
  • Better academic performance.
  • Fewer behavioral problems later in life1.

Similarly, early exposure to essential nutrients such as DHA, iron, zinc, and choline promotes brain development and immune resilience, laying the foundation for healthy development into adulthood2.

Furthermore, nutrition during the first 1,000 days (i. e. from conception to a child's second birthday), can induce epigenetic changes that influence gene expression and reduce susceptibility to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease3. This period is considered crucial for establishing the foundations for lifelong good health.

As such, specialized nutritional strategies not only contribute to the management of specific health conditions, but are also powerful tools for optimizing the development, resilience, and quality of life of children with special needs.

To better address these needs, we focus on several key early-life conditions where nutrition can play a decisive role. The following sections outline how tailored interventions are designed to support infants and children across a range of specific challenges.

Premature birth: special diets and nutritional care from day one

Premature infants face significant nutritional challenges due to immature digestive systems and high metabolic demands required for catch-up growth. They typically require increased intake of energy, proteins, and micronutrients compared to full-term infants4.

Scientific studies confirm that providing enriched human milk or specialized formulas can significantly improve growth, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and reduce long-term health issues associated with premature birth, such as metabolic syndrome or delayed cognitive skills5. Nutritional interventions tailored to preterm infants have also demonstrated benefits in bone mineralization and body composition6-7.

Early life events and intestinal health

The gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in a child’s development, influencing immune function, metabolism, and even cognitive health. The mode of delivery, type of feeding and family environment can significantly influence the development of this microbial ecosystem8.

Cesarean delivery and microbiota imbalance

Children born by cesarean section often exhibit altered microbiota profiles compared to those born vaginally. Research has shown they typically have lower levels of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and higher concentrations of potentially harmful species. This imbalance may increase their vulnerability to conditions like allergies, asthma, and obesity later in life9.

Developing a resilient gut microbiome through early nutrition

Breastfeeding is known to promote a healthy, balanced gut microbiome rich in beneficial microbes that support immune defense, nutrient absorption, and metabolic regulation. In cases where breastfeeding is not possible, formulas enriched with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics offer promising alternatives to help steer microbiota development in a beneficial direction10.

Managing food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities

Allergies, whether food-related or not, are becoming increasingly common in children11-12, which has a significant impact on their diet, nutritional status, and overall quality of life. Common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

Managing these allergies and the dietary restrictions they impose requires a very strict diet (avoiding dairy products or legumes, eating gluten-free, etc.) to prevent reactions while ensuring adequate nutritional intake. But they can also be alleviated and/or prevented with specific biotics, especially during early childhood.

Nutritional strategies for allergy prevention and management

Specialized hypoallergenic formulas, made with highly hydrolyzed proteins or amino acids, are designed to eliminate allergenic proteins while meeting the nutritional needs of infants and young children. These products are particularly effective in treating cow's milk protein allergy  and have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms and improve growth13.

Gut health and immune support in allergic children

More and more studies are highlighting the role of gut health in the development and management of allergies. Early introduction of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotcs has been shown to have a positive influence on the composition of the gut microbiota, promote immune maturation, and may reduce the risk of developing allergic diseases14.

It is therefore essential to adapt nutritional approaches in order to strengthen immune adaptation and digestive balance to help allergic children cope with these disorders as effectively as possible.

Addressing functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are among the most frequent reasons for pediatric consultations during early life. They include:

  • Infantile colic.
  • Regurgitation.
  • Constipation.
  • Diarrhea,

These conditions, while not linked to structural or biochemical abnormalities, can significantly disrupt the well-being of both infants and their families.

FGIDs are believed to result from a complex interaction between the developing gastrointestinal tract, the gut-brain axis, microbiota composition, and feeding practices15. For example, studies suggest that infants with colic may have a delayed maturation of gut motility or altered microbial patterns, while those with functional constipation often experience discomfort related to stool retention and gut dysregulation16.

Nutritional management plays a central role in alleviating FGIDs. Formulas enriched with specific prebiotics, partially hydrolyzed proteins, or fermented components have been shown to improve stool consistency, reduce crying time, and promote gut comfort17-18.

While breastfeeding remains the preferred option when possible, tailored formulas can offer clinically validated alternatives that support digestive balance and reduce parental anxiety.

Supporting children with complex growth and metabolic challenges

Children with complex health conditions such as inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) or faltering growth require highly individualized nutritional care.

  • IEMs—including phenylketonuria (PKU), organic acidemias, and mitochondrial disorders—demand precise dietary interventions to avoid harmful metabolite accumulation while ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients. This is typically achieved through the use of specialized medical formulas and protein substitutes tailored to each child’s metabolic profile19.

  • Similarly, faltering growth , or failure to thrive, refers to a child’s inadequate progression in height or weight for age, often linked to insufficient nutrient intake, malabsorption, chronic disease, or elevated energy needs. If not addressed early, faltering growth can impair not only physical stature but also immune function, cognitive development, and long-term health20-21.

Clinical research highlights the value of personalized nutritional regimens in managing these conditions. These include high-energy, nutrient-dense formulas enriched with protein, iron, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and prebiotic fibers. Evidence shows these strategies improve metabolic parameters, support catch-up growth, and enhance both cognitive and digestive outcomes22.

Danone’s approach to children's special dietary needs

At Danone, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive, no matter their health challenges. That’s why our approach to early-life nutrition is grounded in scientific excellence, clinical validation, and a deep respect for the specific dietary requirements of each child. From addressing the most common gastrointestinal issues to managing rare metabolic disorders, our products are designed with precision, safety, and long-term impact in mind.

We work hand in hand with healthcare professionals, nutrition scientists, and research institutions to ensure our formulas meet the highest standards of efficacy and safety. Our goal is not only to offer advanced nutritional care, but also to make it accessible, affordable, and culturally appropriate for families around the world.

Whether it’s a formula to support gut comfort, a specialized blend for food allergies, or a metabolic solution for rare conditions, Danone’s innovations are built on a clear promise: to provide personalized, evidence-based nutrition that supports optimal growth, development, and well-being—for every child, everywhere.

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