Infant feeds

Question 1

What are the recognized phases of childhood?

Answer 1

Neonate (<4wks)
Infant (<12 months)
Toddler (1-2 yrs)
Pre-school (2-5)
School age 
Adolescent / teenager

Question 2

Example of a maternal disease that can affect birth weight of the baby?

Answer 2

Gestational diabetes

Question 3

Waht is the average weight of a newborn?

Answer 3

3.3 kg

Question 4

What are some factors that affect birth weight?

Answer 4

Maternal size

Gestation (pre-term or..)

Placental function

Question 5

How many calories / grams of protein does an infant require? How does this compare to adults?

Answer 5

100 kcal & 2g protein /kg/day

A lot more per kg of body weight than adults:
35 kcal & 1g protein /kg/day

Question 6

What is the average weight gain of a baby over the first year of life?

Answer 6

0-3 months - 200g
3-6 months - 150g
6-9 months 100g
9-12 months 50-75g

If a baby is not gaining weight it’s as bad a sign as an adult losing a lot of weight

Question 7

What are some advantages of breast milk over formula?

Answer 7

Less allergenic

Low renal solute load

Improves cognitive development

Reduces risk of infection (tailor made passive immunity to environment)

Increased development of infants gut mucosa

Question 8

How long should mothers exclusively breast feed for? After then what should they do?

Answer 8

For the first 6 months exclusively breastfeed

After that breast feed + solid foods

Question 9

Why is cows milk especially not suitable for babies before 1 year?

Answer 9

Contains virtually no iron

Question 10

What is used to treat babies with cows milk protein allergy?

Answer 10

Milk substitutes

1. Nutramigen - extensively hydrolyzed, should work in 90%
2. Alfamino - amino acid based, for kids with severe coitis / enteropathy

Question 11

How do you get over a cows milk allergy?

Answer 11

When the baby is a bit older put them on the cows milk ladder

Start with cookies or something where there is cooked cows milk derivative

More and more dairy based products until they can hack milk

Question 12

What is lactose intolerance caused by? What conditions can precipitate it?

Answer 12

Reduced levels of the lactase enzyme

Can occur post gastro enteritis, but this is self resolving

Question 13

What is one issue with soya milk? When might it be indicated?

Answer 13

High in phytoestrogens (not recommended for babies under 6 months)

May be indicated when there is a milk allergy and hydrolyzed formulas are being rejected

Question 14

What is neophobia?

Answer 14

Fear of trying new foods

Question 15

What is one supplement that may need to be given to. ensure the musculoskeletal health of children? Particularly in dark skinned children

Answer 15

Vitamin D

Especially in countries where sunlight is a rare commodity

Question 16

How concerning is GOR in babies? What may be done to help treat it?

Answer 16

Not very, large proportion of babies have reflux a couple times a day and are fine

If it starts giving unpleasant symptoms then need to become a bit concerned

Formula thickener (infant gaviscon sachets) and reduction in the amount the baby is being fed usually sorts it

Question 17

What are some red flag signs that may indicate a babies reflux is getting out of hand?

Answer 17

Weight loss or insufficient weight gain
Recurrent or bilious vomiting 
GI bleed
Persistant diarrhoea 
Dysphagia 
Stridor / cough / hoarseness

Question 18

What is one possible complication associated with reducing a babies gastric acid production to prevent GORD?

Answer 18

Increased risk of infection

Pneumonia / gastroenteritis / candidasis

Question 19

What drugs are given to babies experiencing quite severe reflux?

Answer 19

1. Gaviscon liquid
2. H2 receptor
3. PPIs
4. Pro-kinetics
5. Alimenazine (anti-histamine)

Question 20

What is colic?

Answer 20

Inconsolable, excessive crying in a baby

> 3 hours per day for > 3 days per week