Maternal and Child Nutrition

Nutritional charateristics of children and adolescents.
Energy and nutritional needs.

The curricular unit will be developed according to a theoretical and theoretical-practical model with moments of structured exposure of the contents and respective analysis and discussion or debate. An interrogative and interactive methodology will be used prior to the presentation of the main contents and concepts, and demonstration / exemplification of them through their practical application in everyday situations and, whenever justified, using computer programs and professional instruments.

At the end of the course, students are expected to:
1. Know the main nutritional characteristics of pregnant women, needs and methodology of nutritional assessment in this stage.
2. Know how to describe the fundamentals inherent to the concept of intrauterine programming.
3. Understand the principles of the physiology of breastfeeding and its implications for maternal and infant health.
4. Know the different types of infant formula available.
5. Describe the principles of food diversification, as well as different methodologies.
6. Recognize the characteristics and potential changes of nutritional status in pediatric age and know how to use different appropriate nutritional risk assessment tools.
7. Know the pathophysiological and etiological aspects of the most typical pathologies of childhood and adolescence, as well as the applicable nutritional therapy

1. Introduction to maternal health. Nutritional needs of pregnant women. Nutritional assessment during pregnancy.
2. Intrauterine programming
3. Breastfeeding
4. Infant formulas
5. Food diversification.
6. Nutritional status in pediatric age. Nutritional risk. Malnutrition. Nutritional deficits.
7. Clinical nutrition in pediatric age: food allergies and intolerances; gastrointestinal pathology; cystic fibrosis; diabetes mellitus; inherited diseases of metabolism; epilepsy; cerebral palsy; eating behavior disorders

The assessment can be through periodic evaluation or examination.

Periodic assessment comprises two summative written tests, consisting of multiple-choice and true/false questions, short-answer questions that assess the breadth and depth of theoretical knowledge acquired in the subject, and theoretical-practical application exercises.

The grade for the practical component is based on the weighted average of: completing worksheets with theoretical and practical application (15%); and completing a project on various topics within the maternal and child health discipline (15%).

Passing the course requires a grade of 10 or higher, resulting from the sum of the grades obtained in the test (70%) and the theoretical-practical activities (30%). The minimum grade cannot be lower than 9.5.

Alternatively, it may be carried out through a final exam consisting of multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, short-answer questions assessing the breadth and depth of theoretical knowledge acquired in the subject, and theoretical-practical application exercises. The theoretical part will have a weighting factor of 70% and the theoretical-practical part of 30%.

NAO