Infancy 1 Flashcards
What are the three main goals of nutrition during infancy?
Provide energy and nutrients to support rapid growth.
Lay the foundation for healthy eating habits.
Support the transition from feeding to independent eating.
What are four key physiological changes that occur when transitioning from fetus to infant?
Energy supply changes: Placenta provides continuous glucose; now infant experiences hunger.
Nutrient absorption shifts: Fetus received pre-digested nutrients; now must ingest, digest, and absorb food.
Oxygen supply changes: Placenta provided gas exchange; now lungs must function independently.
Temperature regulation: Uterus provided thermoneutral environment; now infant must self-regulate body temperature.
How does an infant’s weight change in the first two weeks after birth?
Decreases by 5-10% due to fluid loss and first bowel movements (meconium).
Regains birth weight by day 10-14.
What are the 3 major weight milestones in infancy?
4-6 months: Double birth weight.
1 year: Triple birth weight.
2.5 years: Quadruple birth weight.
Why is skeletal growth important in infancy?
Length increases by 50% in the first year.
Calcium stores double for bone development.
Undernutrition and repeated infections can lead to stunting, which may impair both physical and cognitive potential.
How does proportional growth of the head change from infancy to adulthood?
At birth, the head is ~25% of body length.
By adulthood, the head is only 12% of body length.
What three key measurements are taken to assess infant growth?
Weight (scale or hammock).
Length (measured lying down).
Head circumference (assesses brain development).
What are the percentiles for normal healthy infant growth on the WHO growth chart?
Between the 3rd and 85th-97th percentiles.
A single measurement is not diagnostic; trends over time are more important.
Why are growth charts different for preterm infants?
Growth catch-up does not occur immediately.
Corrected postnatal age is used until 24-36 months.
Why is an infant’s stomach prone to reflux and spitting up?
Weak gastric sphincter leads to frequent regurgitation.
Low stomach acid (pH 6 at birth, drops to 2 by 2 months) reduces pepsin activity.
How does fat digestion differ in infants compared to adults in 3 different ways?
Low bile salt levels and pancreatic lipase at birth.
85-90% of human milk fat is absorbed, vs. only 70% in cow’s milk.
Medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) in breastmilk are better absorbed.
How does carbohydrate digestion differ in infants in 2 different ways?
Low pancreatic amylase means starch is poorly digested.
Lactase is active to digest lactose from milk.
What 2 roles does breastmilk play in gut microbiota development?
Breastmilk contains human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which act as prebiotics.
Supports the growth of beneficial bacteria and protects gut health.
What do the 6 different stool colors indicate in infants?
Yellow → Normal for breastfed babies.
Brown/Orange → Normal for formula-fed babies.
Black → Normal for newborns <1 week old, concerning if older (internal bleeding).
Green → Often harmless, may be due to medication or diet.
White → Seek medical attention (possible liver issue).
Red → Seek medical attention (possible blood in stool).
What nutrients are essential for optimal infant brain development?
Iron (supports oxygen transport and cognitive function).
Omega-3 fatty acids (important for synapse formation).
What environmental factors support cognitive development in infancy?
Cuddling and attention (e.g., breastfeeding).
Sensory stimulation (touch, voice, eye contact).
What is the rooting reflex, and why is it important?
When the cheek is touched, the baby turns toward the source and opens the mouth.
Helps the infant find the breast or bottle.
Disappears by 3-4 months.
What is the sucking/swallowing reflex?
When the mouth is touched, the baby sucks rhythmically.
Ensures safe feeding in a reclined position.
Disappears by 3-4 months
What is the extrusion (tongue thrust) reflex, and when does it disappear?
When the lips are touched, the tongue moves forward out of the mouth.
Prevents choking by pushing solid foods out.
Disappears by 5-6 months.
What is the gag reflex, and how does it change over time?
Prevents choking by expelling objects from the back of the mouth.
Becomes less sensitive after 6 months.
At what age can an infant sit erect and begin chewing?
4-6 months.
At what age can an infant grasp objects and finger-feed?
6-9 months.
At what age does tongue lateralization and rotary jaw motion develop?
9-12 months.
When does self-feeding proficiency develop?
After 1 year
