STUDY GUIDE

Nutritional Assessment During Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence

Purpose:
To review the optimal nutritional requirements and common nutritional problems occurring
during infancy, childhood and adolescence.
Reading Assignment:
Topic
Read
Nutritional Assessment
99, 101-102, 103 (box 6-9), 104-105 (table 6-1)
Physical Assessment: Growth Measurements 106-109 (pertaining to growth charts only)
Newborn and Infant Nutrition
214-219, 326-330
Nutritional Disorders
354-364
Colic
367-368
Nutrition for Toddlers
390-393
Nutrition for Preschoolers
417-418
Nutrition for School Age Child
468
Nutrition for Adolescent
489-490
Obesity
517-523
Alternative Feeding Techniques
694-701
Celiac Disease
813-814
Iron Deficiency Anemia
872-873
Objectives:
Upon completion of this unit the student will be able to:
1. Assess and interpret the growth of infants and children utilizing the principles of proportion
as well as percentiles, ratios, and body mass index on the CDC growth grids.
2. Describe the optimal nutrition plan for an infant from birth to one year of age, including
number of calories per kg of body weight required (see formula below).
INFANT'S WEIGHT (kg) * [ 108 ] = # OUNCES FORMULA NEEDED / 24 HRS
20 [ CALORIES/OZ. ] FORMULA

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Describe typical and unique formulas given to infants, including number of calories/oz.
Compare properties of breast milk to formula and less common substitutes.
State rationale for formula or breast milk vs. whole milk during the first year of life.
Explain age appropriate introduction of solid food, including rationale.
Assess and plan nursing interventions for the prevention and treatment of "bottle mouth
syndrome and iron deficiency anemia.
8. Evaluate the nutritional health of children through adolescence and provide appropriate
recommendations and/or referral.
9. Assess common nutritional problems of children and plan appropriate interventions related to
colic, food intolerance, food allergies, and celiac disease.
10. Describe current trends in pediatric overweight and obesity including prevalence, correlates,
and treatment.
11. Identify characteristics of an infant with non-organic failure to thrive and compare with
organic failure to thrive.
12. Plan nursing interventions for the parent/family of a child with failure to thrive.

Updated F13

13. Identify nursing considerations in the administration of oral, enteral, and parenteral feedings
in children.

Updated F13