Nutrition and Growth
LECTURE NOTES
This is a list of the topics mentioned in the lecture - please refer to your paediatrics textbook for detailed information. I also include some additional resources and references.
1 Metabolic programming
Nutrition received from conception to 2 years of age has the greatest impact on the health of the child for the rest of their life. Healthy nutrition during pregnancy, breastfeeding in the first 6 months, and appropriate weaning practices give the right direction to optimum physical and cognitive development and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Early nutrition programming of adult health: Link.
2. Global perspective
(a) Malnutrition (UNICEF data) Link.
(b) Vitamin A Deficiency (UNICEF data) Link.
3. Normal growth patterns
(a) Growth patterns and factors influencing growth.
(b) The use and interpretation of growth charts: Link.
4. Abnormal growth
(a) Failure to thrive
(b) Malabsorption (coeliac disease and CF)
(c) Obesity - 40% of Maltese children are overweight or obese. Medical and psycho-social problems in childhood, tracking and complications in adulthood. Advice to Parents: Link.
5. Infant feeding
(a) The advantages and challenges of breastfeeding
(b) Specific vitamin deficiencies
This is a list of the topics mentioned in the lecture - please refer to your paediatrics textbook for detailed information. I also include some additional resources and references.
1 Metabolic programming
Nutrition received from conception to 2 years of age has the greatest impact on the health of the child for the rest of their life. Healthy nutrition during pregnancy, breastfeeding in the first 6 months, and appropriate weaning practices give the right direction to optimum physical and cognitive development and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Early nutrition programming of adult health: Link.
2. Global perspective
(a) Malnutrition (UNICEF data) Link.
(b) Vitamin A Deficiency (UNICEF data) Link.
3. Normal growth patterns
(a) Growth patterns and factors influencing growth.
(b) The use and interpretation of growth charts: Link.
4. Abnormal growth
(a) Failure to thrive
(b) Malabsorption (coeliac disease and CF)
(c) Obesity - 40% of Maltese children are overweight or obese. Medical and psycho-social problems in childhood, tracking and complications in adulthood. Advice to Parents: Link.
5. Infant feeding
(a) The advantages and challenges of breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life. Breastmilk is nutritionally perfect, easily digested, and always at the right temperature. It’s free and readily available whenever and wherever needed. Breastfeeding builds a strong emotional bond between mother and baby.
Infant
Less GI, chest, and ear infections
Less hospitalization
Less constipation
Protects against obesity and NIDDM
Less eczema and wheezing
Protects against SIDS
Protects preterm infants against NEC
Mother
Protects against breast and ovarian cancer
Faster weight loss
Reduce the risk of PPH
Delays fertility
(b) Specific vitamin deficiencies
- Iron deficiency anaemia. By 6 months of age, the infant's endogenous iron stores will have been used up. Hence the need for dietary iron in complementary feeding. Iron deficiency is relatively common in fussy eaters (especially in toddlers).
- Vitamin D deficiency. “Universally supplement all infants with vitamin D from birth to 12 months of age, independent of their mode of feeding.” In practice, breastfed infants should be supplemented with Vitamin D. Link
(c) Weaning
- Complementary foods should not be introduced before 4 months but should not be delayed beyond 6 months.
- Allergenic foods may be introduced when complementary feeding is commenced at any time after 4 months.
- Medical Position Paper. Complementary Feeding: A Commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition, 2017. Link.