CN CN Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended gestational weight gain for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9)?
- 11–20 lbs
- 25–35 lbs (Correct answer)
- 28–40 lbs
- 15–25 lbs
Correct answer: 25–35 lbs
The Institute of Medicine recommends a total gestational weight gain of 25–35 lbs for women with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI.
Question 2: Which form of iron supplementation is recommended during pregnancy and at what dose?
- 10 mg/day of heme iron only
- 27 mg/day of elemental iron (Correct answer)
- 60 mg/day of ferric iron only
- No supplementation needed if diet is adequate
Correct answer: 27 mg/day of elemental iron
The RDA for iron during pregnancy is 27 mg/day of elemental iron to support expanded blood volume and fetal needs.
Question 3: What is the preferred approach for introducing common allergenic foods (peanuts, eggs) to infants?
- Delay introduction until age 3 to reduce allergy risk
- Introduce early (4–6 months) as current evidence supports reduced allergy development (Correct answer)
- Introduce only one allergen at a time, years apart
- Avoid all allergens until age 5
Correct answer: Introduce early (4–6 months) as current evidence supports reduced allergy development
Current evidence, including the LEAP trial, shows that early introduction of allergenic foods around 4–6 months reduces the risk of developing food allergies.
Question 4: Which nutrient is especially important for brain development in the third trimester and is found primarily in fatty fish?
- Vitamin C
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) (Correct answer)
- Magnesium
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid abundant in fatty fish, is critical for fetal brain and retinal development, especially during the third trimester.
Question 5: What dietary guidance should be given to pregnant women regarding fish consumption?
- Avoid all fish due to mercury concerns
- Consume 8–12 oz per week of low-mercury fish and limit high-mercury species (Correct answer)
- Eat unlimited amounts of any fish for omega-3 benefits
- Only consume canned tuna as it is mercury-free
Correct answer: Consume 8–12 oz per week of low-mercury fish and limit high-mercury species
The FDA recommends pregnant women eat 8–12 oz of low-mercury fish weekly while avoiding high-mercury species like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
Question 6: Which childhood nutrition condition is characterized by protein and calorie deficiency causing muscle wasting and edema?
- Rickets
- Kwashiorkor (Correct answer)
- Scurvy
- Pellagra
Correct answer: Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition marked by edema, muscle wasting, and a swollen abdomen due to protein deficiency.
CN CN Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition 2
What is the recommended gestational weight gain for a woman with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9)?