nutritional considerations

Question 1

what drives growth?

Answer 1

infancy-nutrition
child-growth hormone led
pubertal- sex steroid led

Question 2

what is included in malnutrition?

Answer 2

under nutrition
micronutrient related
overweight, obesity related and diet related NCD

Question 3

do healthy term infants need iron supplementation before the age of 6 months?

Answer 3

no

Question 4

what is calcium essential for?

Answer 4

teeth and bone mineralisation
nerve impulse transmission
wound healing
cellular metabolism
muscle contraction

Question 5

when should infants start solid food?

Answer 5

not before 6 months

Question 6

how should common allergens be introduced?

Answer 6

one at a time

Question 7

what is the advice for foods to avoid?

Answer 7

sugary food
salty food
whole nuts and seeds (until the age of 5)

Question 8

what does baby-led weaning improve?

Answer 8

Gross motor
Fine motor / vision
Oral motor development / speech
Psychosocial: infant-carer relationship

Question 9

what are the consequences of late weaning?

Answer 9

Inadequate provision of energy & nutrients from breast milk alone may lead to growth faltering & malnutrition
Micronutrient deficiencies, especially of iron & zinc, may develop owing to the inability of breast milk to meet requirements
Optimal development of motor skills such as chewing & acceptance of new tastes & textures may not be ensured

Question 10

what are the thresholds for concern about faltering growth?

Answer 10

a fall across 1or more weight centile spaces, if birthweight was below the 9th centile

a fall across 2or more weight centile spaces, if birthweight was between 9th - 91st centiles

a fall across 3or more weight centile spaces, if birthweight was above the 91st centile

when current weight is below the 2nd centile for age, whatever the birthweight