Question

• Identify how growth is tracked and interpreted within nutrition assessments for infants at risk or with special health care needs.

• Describe nutrition problems commonly addressed for preterm infants and infants with special health care needs

. Identify the nutrition problems during infancy after severe preterm birth that are not found in infants with full-term births

Answer 1

1) There are various ways by which growth is tracked and interpreted within nutrition assessment for infants at risks or with special health care needs. These are as follows :-

- Use of speciality growth charts for specific diagnosis such as Down Syndrome.

- Looking at biochemical indicators of tissue stores of nutrients such as iron and protein and electrolytes such as potassium and sodium.

- Obtaining additional anthropometric measurements to facilitate assessment of body composition such as mid arm circumference and tricep skinfold.

- Close monitoring of head circumference in the first year when the brain is rapidly growing. There is a high risk of growth failure in children with developmental disabilities; this can be seen with slower gains in weight, length or head circumference.

- Using available evidence based practice treatment guidelines or published protocols for conditions such as cystic fibrosis and inborn errors of metabolism.

- Assessing medications that may affect weight gain, appetite or body composition.Side effects of medications can explain rapid changes in weight.