Benefits of breast feeding include all EXCEPT

JIPMER Nursing Officer-2017

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Hard

Appeared in: JIPMER Nursing Officer-2017

Explanation

The statement that breast milk provides adequate iron for a premature newborn is incorrect, making it the right answer to this 'EXCEPT' question.
Premature infants are born with low iron reserves because most iron transfer from mother to fetus occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy.
While the iron in breast milk is highly bioavailable, the total quantity is insufficient to meet the high demands for rapid 'catch-up' growth and red blood cell production in premature babies.
Standard pediatric practice includes iron supplementation for premature infants, even if they are exclusively breastfed, to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Option A: This is a true statement. Breast milk is considered the most complete and ideal source of nutrients for an infant's growth and development.
Option B: This is a true statement. Colostrum, the milk produced in the first few days, is exceptionally rich in antibodies and provides powerful passive immunity.
Option C: This is a true statement. Breast milk contains multiple anti-infective properties that protect against gastrointestinal infections by promoting healthy gut flora and inhibiting pathogens.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Benefits of breastfeeding and nutritional requirements of premature infants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating mothers of premature infants about the importance of breastfeeding while also explaining the critical need for prescribed iron supplements.
Failure to provide adequate iron supplementation to a premature infant can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which can impair neurodevelopment and growth.
What if the question was about a full-term newborn? For a healthy, full-term infant, the iron stores they are born with, combined with the highly bioavailable iron in breast milk, are generally sufficient for the first 4-6 months of life. After that, iron-rich complementary foods are introduced.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question ('EXCEPT'). This means you are looking for the one statement that is false.
Read each option and evaluate its validity based on your knowledge of breastfeeding.
Option A: 'Provides nutrients' - This is a fundamental, true benefit.
Option B: 'Colostrum provides immunity' - This is a key, true benefit.
Option C: 'Less prone for GI infections' - This is a well-known, true benefit.
Option D: 'Provides adequate Iron for premature new born' - Consider the specific population. Premature infants have unique, high-demand nutritional needs.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Benefits of breastfeeding and nutritional requirements of premature infants.
Stem keywords: Benefits, breast feeding, premature new born
Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
Clinical cues: The term 'premature new born' is a critical cue, as their nutritional needs differ significantly from full-term infants.
Negative lead-in flag: This is a negatively framed question asking for the exception.

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E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 126-128

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 140-142