The calories provided by $\mathbf{100} \mathbf{ ml}$ of breast milk to an infant? - KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Biochemistry & Nutrition

Easy

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

Mature human breast milk contains approximately 67 kcal of energy per 100 mL, as stated in nutritional composition tables.
The standard caloric density of breast milk is often cited as 20 kcal per fluid ounce (oz).
Converting this to milliliters (1 oz ≈ 30 ml): 20 kcal / 30 ml = 0.67 kcal/ml.
Therefore, for 100 ml, the energy provided is 0.67 kcal/ml × 100 ml = 67 kcal.
Among the given choices, 66 kcal is the closest and most accepted value.

Option B: This value is significantly too low for the normal caloric density of mature human milk. Such a low value would not support adequate infant growth.
Option C: This value is too high for standard breast milk. It represents a much higher caloric density.
Option D: This value is higher than standard breast milk. It corresponds to a caloric density of about 22 kcal/oz.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Caloric value of human breast milk as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the caloric content of breast milk is fundamental for assessing infant growth and nutritional status. Nurses use this knowledge to counsel mothers and ensure the baby is receiving adequate energy.
Nurses must educate mothers about the difference between foremilk (lower in fat, quenches thirst) and hindmilk (higher in fat, provides satiety and calories), emphasizing the importance of completely emptying one breast before offering the other.
What if the infant was born prematurely? The infant's caloric needs would be higher. The answer would likely change to 73 kcal or higher, as premature infants often require fortified breast milk (22-24 kcal/oz) to support catch-up growth.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for a specific factual value: the number of calories in 100 ml of breast milk.
This is a direct recall question. Access your knowledge base about infant nutrition.
Recall the standard caloric density of mature human milk, which is approximately 20 kcal per ounce (oz) or about 67 kcal per 100 ml.
If you only remember the value in kcal/oz, perform the conversion: 1 oz is roughly 30 ml. So, (20 kcal / 30 ml) * 100 ml ≈ 67 kcal.
Compare this recalled value (67 kcal) to the options provided: 66, 42, 85, and 73.
Select the option that is numerically closest to the standard value. In this case, 66 is the closest to 67.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Caloric value of human breast milk
Stem keywords: calories, 100 ml, breast milk, infant
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 338-340

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 249-251