1What is the period of infancy?
Birth through 12 months of age.
2Why is infancy considered a unique stage of life?
It has the fastest growth rate after birth and rapid brain development.
3Why is adequate nutrition critical during infancy?
It supports normal growth, brain development, and organ development.
4What two factors influence infant growth and development?
Biological and environmental factors.
5What is a full-term infant?
An infant born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation.
6What is a preterm infant?
An infant born before 37 weeks gestation.
7What birthweight defines low birthweight (LBW)?
Less than 2,500 grams.
8What birthweight defines very low birthweight (VLBW)?
Less than 1,500 grams.
9What birthweight defines extremely low birthweight (ELBW)?
Less than 1,000 grams.
10What is infant mortality?
Death occurring during the first year of life.
11What are the leading causes of infant mortality?
Congenital malformations, low birthweight, preterm birth, SIDS, maternal complications, and unintended injuries.
12What factors contribute to infant mortality?
Low socioeconomic status, poor access to healthcare, teen pregnancy, multiple births, and racial/ethnic disparities.
13What does AGA stand for?
Appropriate for gestational age.
14What does SGA stand for?
Small for gestational age.
15What does LGA stand for?
Large for gestational age.
16What is intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)?
Poor fetal growth during pregnancy.
17What percentile defines SGA?
Below the 10th percentile.
18What percentile defines LGA?
Above the 90th percentile.
19What is a reflex?
An automatic response to a stimulus.
20What is the rooting reflex?
Infant turns toward a touched cheek.
21What is the suckle reflex?
Tongue automatically moves forward and backward for feeding.
22How does motor development progress?
From head to toe and from the center outward.
23What is a critical period?
A specific time when developmental skills must occur for normal progression.
24What nutritional deficiencies can impair cognitive development?
Severe malnutrition, chronic undernutrition, iron deficiency, and iodine deficiency.
25What stimulates intestinal maturation before birth?
Swallowing amniotic fluid.
26What nutrients can healthy newborns digest at birth?
Fat, protein, and simple carbohydrates.
27What digestive problems are common in infancy?
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), diarrhea, and constipation.
28What factors influence movement of food through the colon?
Osmolarity, gut bacteria, and body water balance.
29What should parents learn about infant feeding?
Hunger cues, satiety cues, temperament, and responding appropriately.
30What are energy needs from birth to 6 months?
About 108 kcal/kg/day.
31What are energy needs from 6 to 12 months?
About 98 kcal/kg/day.
32What factors influence an infant's calorie needs?
Growth, sleep, climate, activity level, and illness.
33What is the AAP recommendation for breastfeeding?
Exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding through at least 1 year while complementary foods are introduced.
34How many calories per ounce are in breast milk?
Approximately 20 kcal/oz.
35How many calories per ounce are in standard infant formula?
20 kcal/oz.
36How many calories per ounce are in preterm formula?
22-24 kcal/oz.
37How much protein is needed from birth to 6 months?
1.52 g/kg/day.
38How much protein is needed from 7 to 12 months?
1.2 g/kg/day.
39Why is fat important during infancy?
It provides energy, essential fatty acids, and supports brain growth and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
40How much fat is recommended from birth to 6 months?
31 grams/day (AI).
41Why is infant metabolic rate so high?
Rapid growth and high muscle development.
42What happens if infants consume inadequate carbohydrate or energy?
Protein is broken down for energy, reducing growth.
43How much vitamin D do infants need?
400 IU/day.
44How much iron is recommended for infants 7-12 months?
11 mg/day.
45Why is lead exposure a concern during infancy?
It is associated with poor iron and calcium status and developmental problems.
46By what age does an infant usually double birth weight?
4-6 months.
47By what age does an infant usually triple birth weight?
12 months.
48What growth measurements are routinely monitored?
Weight, length, and head circumference.
49What growth findings are considered warning signs?
No growth or rapid changes in growth percentile.
50How should recumbent length be measured?
Lying down on a measuring board during the first 2 years.
51How should infants be weighed?
Naked on a calibrated infant scale.
52Why should cow's milk not be given before 12 months?
It is low in iron and may increase the risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
53What three actions must infants coordinate for successful feeding?
Sucking, swallowing, and breathing.
54When do primitive feeding reflexes begin to fade?
Around 4-6 weeks.
55When are complementary foods typically introduced?
Around 6 months.
56What food is commonly introduced first?
Iron-fortified infant cereal.
57How should new foods be introduced?
One new food every 2-3 days.
58How much food should initially be offered?
About 1-2 tablespoons once or twice daily.
59Why should only one new food be introduced at a time?
To identify allergic reactions or intolerances.
60What consistency should first complementary foods have?
Pureed or very smooth.
61How should spoon feeding be performed?
Use a small spoon, allow infant to open mouth, and avoid scraping the gums.
62Why is proper feeding position important?
It reduces choking, discomfort, and ear infections.
63How should bottle-fed infants be positioned?
Semi-upright.
64How should spoon-fed infants be positioned?
Sitting upright with back and feet supported.
65When are infants developmentally ready to begin drinking from a cup?
6-8 months.
66When should weaning from the bottle be completed?
12-18 months.
67What texture foods can most 6-month-old infants eat?
Pureed foods.
68What texture foods can most 6-8 month-old infants eat?
Soft, lumpy foods.
69What texture foods can most 8-10 month-old infants eat?
Soft mashed foods.
70Which foods commonly pose choking hazards?
Popcorn, peanuts, raisins, whole grapes, hot dogs, hard candy, hard fruits, hard vegetables, and stringy meats.
71Do healthy infants need water before 6 months?
No, breast milk or formula provides adequate fluids.
72Is juice recommended during infancy?
No, juice is not necessary.
73What influences an infant's food preferences before birth?
Flavors experienced in utero and through breast milk.
74Which tastes do infants naturally prefer?
Sweet and salty.
75Which tastes are infants more likely to reject?
Sour and bitter.
76When should breastfed infants receive iron supplementation?
After about 4 months if needed.
77When may breastfed infants need fluoride supplementation?
After 6 months if drinking water is low in fluoride.
78Which breastfed infants may require vitamin B12 supplementation?
Infants of vegan mothers whose intake is inadequate.
79What is failure to thrive (FTT)?
Inadequate weight or length gain.
80What are organic causes of FTT?
Medical conditions such as GER, chronic illness, or heart disease.
81What are nonorganic causes of FTT?
Environmental or psychosocial factors such as diluted formula or caregiver issues.
82What is the registered dietitian's role in FTT?
Assess growth, evaluate nutrient intake, interpret growth data, and observe feeding interactions.
83What is colic?
Excessive, unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy infant.
84When does colic usually resolve?
By 3-4 months.
85Why is iron deficiency concerning in infancy?
It can impair brain development and future learning.
86How is diarrhea defined in infants?
Three or more loose stools per day or stool output greater than 10 g/kg/day.
87What are common causes of infant diarrhea?
Infection, food intolerance, excessive fruit juice, or changes in fluid intake.
88What causes early childhood caries?
Frequent exposure to sugars and prolonged bottle use.
89How can early childhood caries be prevented?
Avoid bedtime bottles, reduce sugary drinks, brush emerging teeth, and see a dentist by 12 months.
90What percentage of young children have food allergies?
About 6-8%.
91What are common signs of food allergy?
Wheezing, rash, or other allergic reactions.
92Is lactose intolerance common during infancy?
No, it is uncommon.
93Can vegetarian diets support healthy infant growth?
Yes, if carefully planned.
94Why should vegan infant diets be monitored closely?
They may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.