CNS Nutrition Across the Lifespan Flashcards

Which nutrient's adequate intake (AI) increases from 400 mcg/day to 600 mcg/day during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects?

Answer: Folate (folic acid)

Folate supplementation of 600 mcg DFE/day during pregnancy reduces neural tube defect risk; the USPSTF recommends 400–800 mcg of folic acid starting before conception.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding until what age, barring contraindications?

Answer: 6 months

The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for at least 12 months and as long as desired.

Which mineral's requirement increases dramatically in pregnancy from 18 mg/day to 27 mg/day due to expanded blood volume and fetal demands?

Answer: Iron

Iron needs increase in pregnancy to support hemoglobin synthesis for expanded maternal blood volume and to build fetal iron stores for the first 6 months of life.

In healthy term infants, which vitamin is routinely administered as an intramuscular injection at birth to prevent hemorrhagic disease?

Answer: Vitamin K

Newborns have very low vitamin K stores and limited gut microbiota to synthesize it; IM vitamin K1 injection prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).

According to DRI guidelines, what is the recommended daily calcium intake for adolescents aged 9–18 years?

Answer: 1,300 mg/day

Adolescents require 1,300 mg/day of calcium — the highest RDA across all age groups — because up to 90% of peak bone mass is accrued during this period.

Which condition in late pregnancy, characterized by protein-restricted diets and poor nutrient density, is associated with increased adult offspring risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes?

Answer: Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) / fetal programming

The DOHaD hypothesis posits that maternal nutritional deprivation during critical windows programs fetal metabolism, increasing offspring risk of chronic metabolic disease.