Health Problems During Infancy Flashcards
results from a dietary intake of vitamin A that is inadequate to satisfy physiological needs.
Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency may be exacerbated by _________________________, especially ______________________.
high rates of infection; diarrhea and measles
Vitamin A Deficiency
Causes
Malnutrition
Liver disorders that affect vitamin storage.
Other diseases interfere with intestine’s ability to absorb fat and vitamins,
Clinical Manifestations
Nyctalopia
Xerophthalmia
Bitot’s Spots
Sores in the corneas (Corneal ulcers)
Cloudy corneas
Difficulty seeing in the dark or night blindness
Nyctalopia
Corneas of the eyes may become dry and thick
Xerophthalmia
Foamy deposits may appear in the whites of the eyes
Bitot’s Spots
Vitamin A Deficiency
Complications
Vision loss or blindness
Dry, itchy, scaly skin
Infertility
Delayed growth and development in children
Respiratory tract infections
Vitamin A Deficiency
Treatment
Vitamin A supplementation
Vitamin A Deficiency
Treatment
Recommended dose
_________ international units (IU) for infants 6-11 months
____________ IU for children 12-59 months
100,000; 200,000
Vitamin A Deficiency
Treatment
How often to give
Every __ months for children aged 6-59 months
6
signs of vitamin A toxicity
irritability, vomiting, increased intracranial pressure
Vitamin A Deficiency
Nursing Management
Supplementation:
- Administer vitamin A supplements
- Closely monitor for signs of vitamin A toxicity
- Educate parents
Vitamin A Deficiency
Nursing Management
Nutritional Support:
- Encourage breastfeeding,
- Educate parents on vitamin A-rich foods
- Ensure adequate intake of other essential nutrients
vitamin A-rich foods
liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens
Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a _______________________________
lack of exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin D is stored mainly in the __________
liver.
promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine.
active vitamin D or calcitriol
Vitamin D is found in limited food sources, such as
fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods.
Certain medical conditions, like ____________________, can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D.
Crohn’s disease or celia disease
Vitamin D Deficiency
Causes
Inadequate dietary intake
Malabsorption
Kidney or liver disease
Darker skin pigmentation
Vitamin D Deficiency
Clinical Manifestations
- Muscle pain
- Bone pain
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- A tingly, “pins-and-needles” sensation in the hands or feet (paresthesia)
- Muscle weakness in body parts near the trunk of the body, such as the upper arms or thighs
- Waddling while walking, due to muscle weakness in the hips or legs
- A history of broken bones
- Muscle twitches or tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Bowed legs (when the deficiency is severe)
Types of vitamin D supplementation include:
- Vitamin D2 supplements (ergocalciferol)
- Vitamin D3 supplements (cholecalciferol)
- Calcidiol
a medication that’s a form of vitamin D3, which may be prescribed when an individual has a health condition that leads to malabsorption
Calcidiol
signs of hypocalcemia
muscle twitching, seizures).
is a common blood disorder that occurs when red blood cell counts are low due toa lack of iron.
Iron-deficiency anemia
Iron Deficiency
Causes
- Premature Birth
- Low Iron Stores at Birth
- Dietary Factors
- Breastfeeding Without Supplementation
-Formula Feeding with Unfortified Formula - Inadequate Intake of Iron-Rich Foods
This is often one of the most noticeable signs of iron deficiency anemia
pale skin
Iron Deficiency
Clinical Manifestations
Pale Skin
Irritability
Pica
Poor Feeding
Rapid Heartbeat
Delayed Growth and Development
Fatigue and Weakness
Poor Appetite
Use __________________________________ with meals to improve iron absorption.
ascorbic acid-rich foods, meat, or both
Observe for potential side effects of iron supplementation, such as
gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea).
Educate parents that iron supplements can cause ____________________________, which is a normal and harmless side effect.
dark or greenish stools
Observe for signs of worsening anemia, such as
increased pallor, fatigue, or irritability.
deficiency of protein with an adequate supply of calories.
Kwashiorkor
A diet consisting mainly of starch grains or tubers provides adequate calories in the form of carbohydrates but an inadequate amount of high-quality proteins.
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor
Causes
Poverty and Food Insecurity
Infections
Weaning Practices
Kwashiorkor
Clinical Manifestations
Edema
Changes in Skin and Hair
Abdominal Distention
Muscle Wasting
Increased Susceptibility to Infections
This is a hallmark sign of Kwashiorkor. It presents as swelling, particularly in the feet and ankles, and can extend to the face and limbs.
Edema
results from general malnutrition of both calories and protein
Marasmus
Marasmus
Causes
Poverty and Food Scarcity
Infections
Inadequate Breastfeeding or Early Weaning
Social Factors
Environmental Factors
Marasmus
Clinical Manifestations
Severe Wasting
Weight Loss:
Stunted Growth
“Old Man” Face
Dry Skin and Hair
Apathy and Irritability
This is the most prominent characteristic of Marasmus
Severe Wasting
may occur if intake progresses too rapidly; cardiac failure may cause sudden death in a child who has been malnourished and refed too rapidly
refeeding syndrome
is a paste based on peanut butter and dried skim milk with vitamins and minerals; it requires no mixing with water or milk.
ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF)
represents a combined form of severe malnutrition
Marasmic kwashiorkor
Marasmic Kwashiorkor
Causes
- Profound deficiency in both protein and overall calories.
- Prolonged food scarcity.
- Chronic infections.
- A combination of inadequate food intake and severe protein deficiency.
Marasmic Kwashiorkor
Clinical Manifestations
- Wasting and Emaciation
- Edema
Abdominal pain or cramping that is manifested by loud crying and drawing the legs up to the abdomen
Colic
duration of cry greater than
3 hours a day occurring more than 3 days per week and for more than 3 weeks
Colic is self-limiting and in most cases resolves as infants mature, generally around ________________ of age
12 to 16 weeks
Colic
Causes
- too rapid feeding
- overeating
- swallowing excessive air
- improper feeding technique (especially in positioning and
burping) - emotional stress or tension between the parent and child
- Parental smoking
- lactase deficiency,
- difficult infant temperament,
- difficulty regulating emotions,
- overstimulation,
- central nervous system immaturity,
- neurochemical dysregulation in the brain
This is the hallmark symptom of Colic
Excessive Crying
defined as the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete postmortem examination.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
peak age of SIDS
2-3 mo; 95% occur by 6 mo
SIDS has higher incidence in what gender?
boys
SIDS highest risk associated with
prone position; use of soft bedding; overheating (thermal stress); cosleeping with adult
This is the most crucial step in preventing SIDS.
place the baby on their back to sleep, for naps and at night.
