A feeding problem among infants:-

AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Pediatric Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

Regurgitation, or spitting up, is the most common gastrointestinal issue in the first year of life.
It is caused by the immaturity of the lower esophageal sphincter, which allows stomach contents to flow back up effortlessly.
Unlike vomiting, it is not forceful and the infant usually remains happy and comfortable.
The condition typically peaks at 4 months and resolves in 90% of infants by 12 months of age.
Holding the baby upright after feeding, as depicted in the image, is a key management strategy to prevent it.

Option A: Choking is an acute airway obstruction, which is a medical emergency. While it can be related to feeding, it is not considered a common, ongoing 'feeding problem' like regurgitation.
Option B: Hiccups are benign, involuntary spasms of the diaphragm. They are a normal phenomenon in infants and not classified as a feeding problem or disorder.
Option C: Aspiration is the inhalation of foreign material (like milk) into the lungs. It is a serious and dangerous complication that can result from feeding or severe reflux, but it is not as common as simple regurgitation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of common feeding problems in infants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating new parents about the difference between normal regurgitation and problematic vomiting, reassuring them that spitting up is common and usually benign.
Key nursing advice includes positioning the infant upright during and after feeds, ensuring proper burping, and avoiding overfeeding.
Parents should be taught to recognize 'red flag' signs that indicate a more serious problem than simple regurgitation, such as poor weight gain, forceful vomiting (projectile vomiting), blood in the spit-up, or signs of respiratory distress.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem to identify the core concept: 'a feeding problem among infants'.
Next, evaluate each option based on its medical definition in the context of infancy.
Consider the frequency and nature of each condition. 'Regurgitation' is a very common, almost normal, part of infancy directly related to feeding.
'Choking' and 'Aspiration' are serious, acute complications, not routine problems.
'Hiccups' are generally a benign, normal occurrence.
Analyze the provided image. It shows a baby being held upright, a classic technique to manage regurgitation. This visual clue strongly supports 'Regurgitation' as the intended answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of common feeding problems in infants.
Stem keywords: feeding problem, infants
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Clinical cues: The image provided shows a preventive measure for regurgitation, which is a strong clue.

QkgpwyBPdzgkFdBSi34LFD

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 pp. 1-2, 167-169

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1100-1102