Nutrition Colloquium

Question 1

What do the Australian dietary guidelines recommend in terms of breastfeeding, eggs, milk and solid introduction?

Answer 1

• Breastfeeding - up to 6 months, wean after 12-18
• Solids - 4-6 months (gradually)
• Eggs - complete after 8 months
• Uncooked cow milk - after 12 months

Question 2

What are the main determinants of growth in infancy, childhood and puberty?

Answer 2

• Infancy - nutrition
• Mid-childhood - thyroid and growth hormone
• Puberty - sex hormones

Question 3

What stimulates the pubertal growth spurt? What is the normal age of onset for a girl? A boy?

Answer 3

• Oestrogen
• Girls - 8-14
• Boys - 9-14

Question 4

What is the Tanner scale? What determines it?

Answer 4

• Scale of pubertal development
• Males - I-V based on testicular volume, scrotum size and penis length
• Females - I-V based on breast size and elevation
• Both - I-V based on pubic hair type and distribution (ending on medial thighs)

Question 5

What defines failure to thrive?

Answer 5

• Below the 3rd percentile for weight OR dropping two or more percentile tracks
  
  • Care to correct for premature babies