Infant Nutrition

Question 1

What % of breast milk is fat?

Answer 1

55%

Question 2

At what age should solids be introduced to boost iron stores?

Answer 2

6 months

Question 3

What are the weight classifications for low birth weight, very low bw & extremely low bw

Answer 3

low bw: <2500g

v. low bw: <1500g
e. low bw: <1000g

Question 4

List 5 reasons for infant mortality

Answer 4

SIDS
Birth defects/trauma
Premature birth status
Maternal complications/injuries
Socioeconomic factors
Healthcare availability

Question 5

Malnutrition accounts for what fraction of deaths in children under 5?

Answer 5

1/3

Question 6

How much weight do infants typically gain per week?

Answer 6

150-200g

Question 7

List the 4 risk factors for poor cognitive development

Answer 7

Severe, acute malnutrition
Chronic undernutrition
Iron deficiency anaemia
Iodine deficiency

Question 8

How long does it take for the GI tract to mature?

Answer 8

6 months

Question 9

List 4 early GI issues that may arise in infancy

Answer 9

Colic
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Gastroeosphageal reflex

Question 10

4 reasons how an infants eating may be affected

Answer 10

Distractability
Attention span
Appetite
Reaction to food
Activity

Question 11

List 6 hunger cues for infant feeding

Answer 11

Wakes and tosses
Sucks on fists
Crying
Opens mouth while feeding
Moving head toward spoon
Reaching for spoon or food
Pointing to food
Excitement around food
Desire for food with sounds or words

Question 12

List 6 satiety cues for infant feeding

Answer 12

Seals lips
Turns head away
Decreases or stops sucking
Spits out nipple
Falls asleep when full
Eating slows down
Pushes spoon or food away
Shaking head

Question 13

What are the 4 goals of infant feeding?

Answer 13

1. Meet all nutritional needs of the baby
2. Enhance mother-infant bonding
3. Assist transition from liquid to solid food diet
4. Establish eating routines

Question 14

List 4 recommendations for introducing solid foods

Answer 14

1. Feed when the baby is active and alert, not tired
2. Small spoon, shallow bowl, neutral spoon temperature
3. Wait for the tongue to extend towards the spoon
4. Place spoon at front of mouth to avoid gag reflex
5. Feed at a pace that allows the infant to swallow
6. Begin with small meals

Question 15

What can early introduction of complementary foods lead to?

Answer 15

Displacement of breast milk
Increased risk of food allergies
Exposure to pathogens

Question 16

What can late introduction of complementary foods lead to?

Answer 16

Micro-nutrient deficiencies
Poor weight gain from inadequate intake
Delay in oral motor development

Question 17

What is colic?

Answer 17

Irritability along with excessive inconsolable crying in otherwise healthy well-fed infants

Question 18

List 5 ways to relieve colic

Answer 18

1. Rocking
2. Bathing
3. Burping more frequently
4. Changing position during feeding
5. Possible elimination of cows milk

Question 19

What are the 4 risk factors for iron deficiency anaemia in infants?

Answer 19

1. Low birth weight
2. High cows milk intake
3. Low intake iron rich complementary foods
4. Low socioeconomic status

Question 20

What weekly parameters are indicative of a pre-term baby?

Answer 20

24-37 weeks

Question 21

List 4 possible issues that may arise with a preterm infant

Answer 21

1. Inadequate nutrient stores
2. Increased nutritional demand
3. Immature organ function
4. Underdeveloped gut motility/digestion rate