Ch. 11 - Infant Health Problems

Vitamin Imbalance: Vitamin D Deficiency (Rickets)

  • Rickets is often caused by a dietary intake imbalance.
  • Clinical Manifestations:
    • Abdominal pain
    • Seizures
    • Limb pain
    • Weakness
    • Weakening or softening of the bones
  • Management:
    • Increase dietary sources of vitamin D.
    • Vitamin D supplementation (not first-line).
    • Moderate sunlight exposure (with skin protection).

Failure to Thrive

  • Inadequate growth due to the inability to obtain or use required calories.
  • Calorie Usage Hierarchy:
    1. Vital organ function
    2. Other organ function
    3. Movement and activity
    4. Growth in height and weight
  • Cause: Multifactorial.
  • Diagnosis: Through signs, symptoms, and growth charts.
  • Growth charts establish norms for children's growth.
  • Management: Reverse the cause of growth failure with targeted interventions.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

  • Occurs in infants younger than age one.
  • Often happens at nighttime.
  • Risk Factors:
    • Maternal smoking
    • Co-sleeping
    • Prone sleeping (on stomach)
    • Soft bedding or items in the crib
  • Prevention: Avoid or eliminate identified risk factors.

BRUI (Brief Resolved Unexplained Event)

  • Formerly known as ALTE (Apparent Life-Threatening Event).
  • Sudden Episode Characteristics:
    • Apnea
    • Change in color
    • Change in muscle tone
    • Sometimes gagging and choking
  • Diagnostic Evaluation: Detailed description of events and monitoring.
  • Often occurs during feeding.
  • Importance of holding and watching the baby during feeding.
  • Avoid bottle propping to prevent respiratory issues and death.
  • Management:
    • Monitor during the event.
    • Diagnostic evaluations.
    • Avoid identified causes.
    • Consider a home apnea monitor if the cause is undetermined.