Transcript Infant Digestive System PowerPoint

Infant Digestive System
By: Claire Tran and Kenimer Highsmith for CTAE Resource Network
Digestive System
• A newborn's digestive system is
made up of an intricate, delicate
system of organs and functions.
• Nearly all newborns lose some
weight during the first few days
after delivery.
• The stomach of a newborn baby
occupies a horizontal position, its
volume in the first day of the
baby’s life is less than 1 ounce; by
the end of his first year it is 10
ounces.
• The bowels of a newborn baby
are developed rather well. They
have a well vascular mucous
membrane, which promotes quick
food absorption.
Symptoms of
Colic
• Crying or fussing most
frequently begins suddenly, and
often after a feeding. The cry is
loud and continuous, and the
spells last 1-4 hours. The
baby's face often gets flushed
or red. The belly is sometimes
distended or prominent, the
legs alternating between flexed
and extended straight out. The
feet are often cold and the
hands clenched.
GER: Gastroesophageal
reflux
– GER is caused by a malfunction
of the valve-like muscles between
the stomach and the esophagus.
– Symptoms:
• Painful blasts of crying (more
than usual)
• Frequent spitting up (but not
always)
• Inconsolable bouts of
abdominal pain
• Painful bursts of night waking
• Fussiness, particularly after
eating
• Arching or writhing as if in pain
Nutrients that Babies Need
•
•
•
•
Protein
Babies use protein to build muscles, carry nutrients in the blood, and help
fight infections. In addition, protein can also be used as a source of energy.
Consuming sufficient amounts of protein is especially important in periods
of rapid growth, like infancy.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein
Proteins are composed of substances called amino acids. An easy way to
understand proteins is to think of proteins as chains. The amino acids are
the individual links in the chains.
Essential amino acids
The human body can make all but ten amino acids. Because babies must
get these ten amino acids from their diet and because they are necessary
for normal healthy growth, they are called essential amino acids.
Fat
Fat is an important nutrient in an infant's diet. In addition to being used as a
source of energy by growing babies, fat is an essential component of
various structures. Linolenic and linoleic acid are essential fats. DHA and
ARA are two fats, or lipids, which are particularly important in brain and eye
development.
Nutrients that Babies Need
•
•
•
•
Iron
Iron is required for the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen from
the lungs to muscles and the brain.
Iron Requirements
Based on scientific studies and experience with pediatric nutrition, the
American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of over 50,000 physicians
dedicated to the health of infants and children, recommends that full-term
infants receive between .15 and 3.0 mg/100 calories of iron for normal
growth and development.
Carbohydrates
Although carbohydrates are essential components of many body structures,
their most important function may be as a source of energy. While infants
can use protein and fat for energy, using dietary carbohydrates for energy
spares protein and fat to be used as building blocks for muscles, nerves and
other vital structures.
Fat Soluble Vitamins
– Vitamin A Helps to Prevent Infections
– Vitamin D is Vital For Proper Growth
– Vitamin E Protects Your Baby's Skin
– Vitamin K Aids in Blood Clotting
Nutrition Related Concerns
• Allergy:
– If the breast-fed child is reacting to something in the mother’s diet, he
probably has a bloated stomach, suffers from chronic or constant
gas, spits up frequently and cries incessantly. Some will projectile
vomit after eating. Stools may be infrequent, leading to constipation,
or, they may be watery, extremely loose and of the wrong color. The
baby may cry upon moving her bowels or passing urine.
– For some children, food allergy causes them to overeat. These
children will have huge bellies but emaciated legs and arms. If the
reaction is to wheat gluten, they may have a peculiar rash on the
buttocks and upper thighs known as DH, or dermatitis herpetiforma.