1What is the first step when a toddler or preschooler has a chronic health condition?
Perform a nutrition assessment.
2What is the purpose of a nutrition assessment?
Identify nutrition problems and determine appropriate interventions.
3Why are growth measurements important in children with chronic conditions?
They help evaluate nutritional status and detect growth failure.
4What should be evaluated during a dietary assessment?
Food intake, eating behaviors, nutrient adequacy, and feeding difficulties.
5Why is a medical history important during nutrition assessment?
It identifies conditions that may affect growth, nutrient needs, or food intake.
6What is failure to thrive (FTT)?
Poor growth characterized by inadequate weight gain or growth.
7What growth pattern commonly indicates failure to thrive?
A decline across two or more growth percentiles.
8What percentile may indicate failure to thrive?
Weight-for-age below the 5th percentile.
9What are organic causes of failure to thrive?
Medical conditions that interfere with nutrient intake, absorption, or utilization.
10What are examples of organic causes of FTT?
Congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, GERD, and chronic infections.
11What are nonorganic causes of failure to thrive?
Environmental, behavioral, or psychosocial factors.
12What are examples of nonorganic causes of FTT?
Poverty, neglect, improper feeding practices, and caregiver stress.
13What is the primary nutrition goal in treating FTT?
Promote catch-up growth.
14What is catch-up growth?
Growth at a rate faster than expected for age to recover lost growth.
15How may calorie needs change during catch-up growth?
Energy needs may be significantly increased.
16Why is monitoring important during FTT treatment?
To evaluate progress and adjust interventions.
17What is toddler diarrhea?
Frequent loose stools in an otherwise healthy growing child.
18What beverages commonly contribute to toddler diarrhea?
Fruit drinks and juices containing sucrose or sorbitol.
19How can toddler diarrhea be improved?
Reduce excessive juice intake and normalize fat intake.
20Why should fat not be excessively restricted in toddlers?
Adequate fat is needed for growth and development.
21What is celiac disease?
An autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption.
22What grains contain gluten?
Wheat, barley, and rye.
23What is the primary treatment for celiac disease?
A lifelong gluten-free diet.
24What symptoms may occur with celiac disease?
Diarrhea, poor growth, abdominal pain, bloating, and nutrient deficiencies.
25Why does untreated celiac disease affect growth?
Damage to the small intestine reduces nutrient absorption.
26What is cystic fibrosis (CF)?
A genetic disorder affecting mucus-producing glands.
27How does cystic fibrosis affect nutrition?
It impairs digestion and nutrient absorption.
28Why are pancreatic enzymes often prescribed in CF?
To improve digestion and absorption of nutrients.
29Which nutrient needs are often increased in children with CF?
Calories and protein.
30Why are fat-soluble vitamin supplements often needed in CF?
Fat malabsorption reduces absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.
31What is food allergy?
An abnormal immune response to a food protein.
32What are common food allergens in children?
Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.
33What is the primary treatment for food allergies?
Avoidance of the allergenic food.
34What is anaphylaxis?
A severe life-threatening allergic reaction.
35What should be available for children with severe food allergies?
Epinephrine.
36What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
A developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior.
37Do professional organizations recommend gluten-free/casein-free diets as standard treatment for ASD?
No.
38Why should restrictive diets be monitored carefully in ASD?
They may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
39What feeding problems are common in children with ASD?
Food selectivity and limited food variety.
40What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A condition where stomach contents repeatedly flow back into the esophagus.
41How can GERD affect nutrition?
It may reduce food intake and impair growth.
42What nutrition interventions may help GERD?
Smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, and medical treatment when needed.
43Why are multidisciplinary teams important in pediatric nutrition care?
Children often require coordinated medical, developmental, and nutrition services.
44What is the role of the registered dietitian in pediatric conditions?
Assess nutrition status, develop nutrition plans, educate caregivers, and monitor growth.
45Why should nutrition interventions be individualized?
Each child's condition, growth pattern, and nutritional needs are different.
46What is developmental delay?
A slower-than-expected progression of developmental milestones.
47How can developmental delays affect feeding?
Children may have difficulty chewing, swallowing, or self-feeding.
48What is the goal of nutrition support for children with chronic conditions?
Support optimal growth, development, and quality of life.
49Why are routine follow-up visits important?
To reassess growth, nutritional status, and intervention effectiveness.
50Which chronic condition requires lifelong avoidance of gluten?
Celiac disease.
51Which condition often requires pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy?
Cystic fibrosis.
52Which condition is associated with excessive mucus production?
Cystic fibrosis.
53Which condition may improve when juice intake is reduced?
Toddler diarrhea.
54Which condition involves an immune reaction to food proteins?
Food allergy.
55Which condition is associated with food selectivity and sensory feeding issues?
Autism spectrum disorder.
56What is the most important indicator that nutrition intervention is working?
Improved growth and development.
57What is the goal of caregiver education?
Improve the child's nutrition, feeding practices, and health outcomes.