Ch 16 - Nutrition During Infancy Flashcards
What are the energy requirements for infants?
About twice that of an adult. Infants require about 100 kcal per kg of body weight, whereas most adults need fewer than 40
What are the vitamin and mineral requirements of an infant?
Almost double that of an adult, in proportion to body weight. Infants need significantly more Vitamin A, D, E, and C. They also need significantly more iodine
Why is water so important for infants?
Because much of the fluid in an infant’s body is located outside the cells (extracellular and interstitial fluid), rapid fluid losses and the resulting dehydration can be life threatening
Why is breast milk so important for infants?
Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrients for infants and its unique nutrient composition and protective factors promote optimal infant health and development throughout the first year of life
How long should infants receive breast milk?
Ideally, infants will receive exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months, and breastfeeding with complimentary foods for at least 12 months
How frequent should a nursing mother feed her baby?
Since breast milk is more easily/completely digested than formula, breastfed infants usually eat more frequently. For the first few weeks, an infant will eat approx. 8 to 12 feedings a day
What is the main carbohydrate in breast milk?
The disaccharide lactose - it is easily digested and enhances calcium absorption
What is the main protein in breast milk?
Breast milk has low quantities of protein to ensure the infant’s immature kidneys aren’t put under too much stress. The main protein in breast milk is alpha-lactalbumin, which is easily digested and absorbed
What kinds of lipids are in breast milk?
Breast milk contains a generous proportion of the essential fatty acids linoleic (omega 6) acid and linolenic (omega 3) acid. It also contains arachidonic acid and DHA
The vitamins and minerals in breast milk are ample to support infant growth with the exception of which vitamin?
Vitamin D in breast milk is low. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended as deficiency impairs bone mineralization which may result in rickets
What supplements are recommended for infants?
Supplements containing vitamin D, iron (low in breast milk but high bioavailability), and fluoride (to promote the development of strong teeth) are recommended. A single dose of vitamin K is given at birth to protect from bleeding to death
How does breast milk offer immunological protection?
Breast milk is sterile and actively fights disease and protects infants from illness. Colostrum is produced during the first few days after delivery. Breast milk also contains bifidus factors, lactadherin, and lactoferrin
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is a milklike secretion from the breast, present during the first few days after delivery before milk appears; rich in protective factors such as antibodies and white blood cells. It helps to protect the baby from infections against which the mother has developed immunity by inactivating disease-causing bacteria within the infant’s digestive tract
How do the bifidus factors in breast milk offer immunological protection?
Bifidus factors favor the growth of the “friendly” bacterium in the infant’s digestive tract so that other, harmful bacteria cannot become established
Does breast milk offer allergy and disease protection?
Breastfed infants, compared to formula-fed infants, have a lower incidence of allergic reactions. It may also reduce the risk of SIDS and may offer protection against the development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood
In addition to nutritional benefits, immunological and allergy protection, what are some other potential benefits to breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding may offer some protection against excessive weight gain later, although findings are inconsistent. Studies suggest a beneficial effect on intelligence, but evidence is not reliable
Lactadherin is a protective factor in breast milk. What does it do?
Lactadherin inhibits pathogen attachment to the intestinal mucosa
Lactoferrin is a protective factor in breast milk. What does it do?
Lactoferrin prevents bacteria from getting the iron needed to grow; helps absorb iron into the infant’s bloodstream; kills some bacteria directly; inhibits viral activity
What are breast milk banks?
Breast milk banks are services that collect, screen, process, and distribute donated human milk. The breast milk is pooled (to ensure even distribution) and pasteurized (to destroy bacteria)
What is the nutrient composition of infant formula?
Infant formula composition is as close to breast milk as possible. Formula-fed infants should be given iron-fortified formulas
Why should formula-fed infants be given iron-fortified formula?
The increasing use of iron-fortified formulas is responsible for the decline in iron-deficiency anemia among infants
What are some risks of formula feeding?
Infant formula:
- contains no protective antibodies
- must be prepared safely by using water that is free of contamination (esp. lead)
- should be prepared using water with optimal levels of fluoride (too much = tooth defects AKA fluorosis)
What is nursing bottle tooth decay?
Extensive tooth decay due to prolonged tooth contact with formula, milk, fruit juice, or other carb-rich liquid offered to an infant in a bottle
What do the terms preterm and premature imply?
It implies incomplete fetal development, or immaturity, of many body systems. A preterm infant is most often a LBW infant
