Infant Weaning and Nutritional Assessment Essentials

Weaning

Weaning is the introduction of foods other than breast milk.

Steps for the Development of Food

• Period of 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.
• The transition period between 4–8 months.
• Modified adult diet period between 6 and 12 months.

Recommendations

• Start no earlier than 4 to 6 months.
• Start with porridge.
• Use familiar staples.
• Start with one food at a time.
• Combine foods only after tolerance is established.
• At the end of the year, simply chop the food.
• Do not add salt, sugar, honey, or butter.
• Remove the bottle around 13 months.
• Offer the child the same food for at least 5 days.
• Gradually increase the amount of food (tablespoons).
• Adjust feeding times to the family schedule.
• Consider the family's allergic history.

Anthropometry

• Anthropometric evaluation of children represents an indicator of nutritional status and a reflection of linear growth.
• In children and adolescents, measurements to assess total body mass include weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference, used for the following indices:
  • Weight/Height
  • Weight/Age
  • Height/Age
  • Arm circumference/Age
  • Head circumference in infants

Diagnosis

• To diagnose nutritional status through anthropometric data, reference tables for each index (weight/height, height/age, weight/age, and BMI) are necessary.
• Growth charts and percentiles are visual representations used to evaluate and compare a child's growth in relation to a standard range.
• There are several reference tables available; it is necessary to assess the child's specific characteristics to determine which are best suited for the evaluation.

Weight/Age

The child's weight in relation to a group of children of the same age. Indicators: Malnutrition, obesity, overweight, underweight.

Weight/Height

Child's weight in relation to their own stature. Indicators: Underweight, acute malnutrition, obesity, overweight.

Height/Age

The child's height in relation to the height expected for children of the same age. Indicator: Chronic malnutrition with impaired linear growth.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The ratio of the child's weight in relation to their height. Indicators: Malnutrition, underweight, obesity, risk of malnutrition.

Types of Malnutrition

• Marasmus: Protein-calorie malnutrition.
• Kwashiorkor: Protein malnutrition.
• Chronic Malnutrition: Low height and low weight.
• Acute Malnutrition: Low weight with normal height.
• Primary Malnutrition: The child stops eating or does not eat.
• Secondary Malnutrition: The child stops eating due to illness.