Question

Nyanath, a Sudanese mother, brings her 10-month-old son, Jafar, to a free local health clinic because she is worried about the baby’s health. Jafar is weak and has chronic diarrhea. The physician who weighs and observes the baby determines Jafar is undernourished and suffering from a water-borne infection. When asked about Jafar’s diet, Nyanath reports that she is still feeding the child a ready-to-use infant formula and gives him cooked rice. Nyanath admits that she dilutes the formula with an equal amount of water that comes from a local stream before feeding the formula to the baby.

The physician gives an antibiotic to the baby and tells Nyanath to avoid diluting the formula. The doctor also provides her with a supply of a peanut-based supplement to mix into the cooked rice. A clinic worker tells the mother to boil and cool the water before using it.

After 3 months, Nyanath returns to the clinic with her son. She is pleased that the child no longer has diarrhea and his growth rate has increased dramatically since she last visited the clinic.

1. Which country has the highest under-5 mortality rate (2015)?

• Afghanistan

• Sierra Leone

• Denmark

• India

2. Which of the following does not describe a major effort to prevent undernutrition during infancy?

• Reducing breastfeeding rates and increasing formula feeding rates

• Increasing access to safe water

• Using special therapeutic foods

• Providing adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals through diet and supplements

3. If untreated, which of the following would Jafar likely experience because of undernutrition?

• All of the choices are correct.

• Reduced cognitive ability

• Reduced adult size

• Increased risk for infection

4. As an undernourished infant, Jafar was likely deficient in which of the following micronutrients, identified globally as top public health concerns?

• Vitamin C, vitamin K, sodium, and phosphorus

• Folate, vitamin B-12, iron, and calcium

• Vitamin A, iron, iodine, zinc

• Vitamin D, calcium, iron, selenium

Answer 1

1.India

Reason - India had world's highest child mortality rate in 2015.

2 Reducing breast feeding rate and increasing formula feeding rate.

Reason - Breastfeed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formula feed infants.

3. All the choices are correct

Reason - Because of undernutrition , the baby will experience reduced cognitive ability, reduced adult size,

and increased risk of infection.

4.Vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc

Reason - Children grow and develop well when they have access to affordable,diverse,nutrient rich food.