Paediatric Nutrition

Question 1

Why are children nutritionally vulnerable?

Answer 1

9 million children die each year before age 5. Malnutrition is considered the sole contributor cause in around half.

High Energy demands - growth
- amount of metabolic active tissues per unit of body mass
- occurrence of disease

Supply limitations
- immaturity of absorptive, metabolic and excretory systems
- social and educational disadvantage

Body Composition
- nutrition stores are related to absolute body size and tissue composition

Question 2

What is the long-term relevance of paediatric nutrition

Answer 2

Optimising nutrition in early life is increasingly seen to have relevance to long-term health

Question 3

What is meant by weight faltering?

Answer 3

This is also called failure to thrive

Weight faltering my reflect underlying illness but is most commonly due to low intakes of nutrients, particularly energy.

Can be a consequence of abuse of neglect

Question 4

What is wasting?

Answer 4

Wasting is under appropriate weight for height

Question 5

What is stunting?

Answer 5

Stunting is below appropriate height for age

Question 6

Nutritional Support for the sick child

Answer 6

General Principles include
- maintenance demands
tissue repletion
growth
catch-up growth

Nutrient demands are much greater than they are for a healthy child of a similar age and size.