Ch 16 - Nutrition During Infancy

Question 1

What are the energy requirements for infants?

Answer 1

About twice that of an adult. Infants require about 100 kcal per kg of body weight, whereas most adults need fewer than 40

Question 2

What are the vitamin and mineral requirements of an infant?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Why is water so important for infants?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Why is breast milk so important for infants?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

How long should infants receive breast milk?

Answer 5

Ideally, infants will receive exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months, and breastfeeding with complimentary foods for at least 12 months

Question 6

How frequent should a nursing mother feed her baby?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is the main carbohydrate in breast milk?

Answer 7

The disaccharide lactose - it is easily digested and enhances calcium absorption

Question 8

What is the main protein in breast milk?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What kinds of lipids are in breast milk?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

The vitamins and minerals in breast milk are ample to support infant growth with the exception of which vitamin?

Answer 10

Vitamin D in breast milk is low. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended as deficiency impairs bone mineralization which may result in rickets

Question 11

What supplements are recommended for infants?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

How does breast milk offer immunological protection?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is colostrum?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

How do the bifidus factors in breast milk offer immunological protection?

Answer 14

Bifidus factors favor the growth of the “friendly” bacterium in the infant’s digestive tract so that other, harmful bacteria cannot become established

Question 15

Does breast milk offer allergy and disease protection?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

In addition to nutritional benefits, immunological and allergy protection, what are some other potential benefits to breastfeeding?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Lactadherin is a protective factor in breast milk. What does it do?

Answer 17

Lactadherin inhibits pathogen attachment to the intestinal mucosa

Question 18

Lactoferrin is a protective factor in breast milk. What does it do?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What are breast milk banks?

Answer 19

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)

Question 20

What is the nutrient composition of infant formula?

Answer 20

Infant formula composition is as close to breast milk as possible. Formula-fed infants should be given iron-fortified formulas

Question 21

Why should formula-fed infants be given iron-fortified formula?

Answer 21

The increasing use of iron-fortified formulas is responsible for the decline in iron-deficiency anemia among infants

Question 22

What are some risks of formula feeding?

Answer 22

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)

Question 23

What is nursing bottle tooth decay?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What do the terms preterm and premature imply?

Answer 24

It implies incomplete fetal development, or immaturity, of many body systems. A preterm infant is most often a LBW infant

Question 25

The rate of weight gain in the fetus is greater during the _____ trimester of gestation than at any other time

Answer 25

last. The last trimester is also a time of building nutrient stores

Question 26

How is preterm breast milk well suited to meet a preterm infant’s needs?

Answer 26

Preterm breast milk contains higher concentrations of protein but it is lower in volume. Preterm infants consume small quantities of milk, and the higher protein concentration allows for better growth

Question 27

Compared with breast milk or iron-fortified formula, cow’s milk is higher in _______ and lower in _______.

Answer 27

calcium; vitamin C. This further reduces iron absorption

Question 28

How does the higher protein concentration of cow’s milk affect infants?

Answer 28

The higher protein concentration of cow’s milk can stress the infant’s kidneys

Question 29

When can an infant begin eating solid foods?

Answer 29

Between 4 and 6 months

Question 30

What foods provide iron for infants?

Answer 30

Iron-fortified cereals, but the iron’s bioavailability is poor. Meat and legumes can also be a source of iron once the infant readily accepts solid food

Question 31

Why is vitamin C important for infants and what foods provide it?

Answer 31

Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Sources include fruits, vegetables, and diluted fruit juice

Question 32

What is milk anemia?

Answer 32

Iron-deficiency anemia that develops when an excessive milk intake displaces iron-rich foods from the diet

Question 33

Ideally a 1-year-old will:

Answer 33

• sit at the table
• eat many of the same foods everyone else eats
• drink liquids from a cup, not a bottle