ARS | Publication request: NUTRITIONAL INFLUENCES ON INFANT DEVELOPMENT

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: November 27, 2004
Publication Date: May 25, 2005
Citation: Heird, W.C., Voigt, R.G. 2005. Nutritional influences on infant development. In: Bhatia,J., editor. Perinatal Nutrition: Optimizing Infant Health and Development. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker. p. 153-164.

Technical Abstract: The nutritional requirements of infants and children reflect this population's unique needs for growth and developmental changes in organ function and body composition as well as their maintenance needs. Moreover, since the metabolic rate of infants and children is greater and the turnover of nutrients more rapid than those of the adult, the unique nutrient needs for growth and development are superimposed upon higher maintenance requirements than those of the adult. In addition, the potential impact of intake during early life on later development and health must be considered. Finally, provision of these greater needs, particularly to the smaller members of this population, is hindered by their lack of teeth as well as their limited digestive and metabolic processes.