Feeding Throughout Pediatric Age
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course will provide students with adequate knowledge to understand nutrition in pediatric age, both in the physiological status and in the main food-related diseases (malnutrition in defect and in excess, celiac disease, food allergy, inborn errors of metabolism). Theoretical and instrumental knowledge will also be provided to perform a correct nutritional assessment of the child both for preventive (obesity and associated-alterations, eating disorders) and therapeutic purposes (parenteral and enteral nutrition). We will also discuss the principles of pharmaco-nutrition of some pediatric pathologies (ketogenic diet, diet in inborn errors of metabolism).
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will acquire skills regarding: how to evaluate the nutritional status of the child, such as nutritional schemes and dietary patterns for prevention, according to the age groups; the nutritional principles for the treatment of the main food-related diseases of the child; the elaboration of specific diets for some pathologies (diets for obesity and metabolic syndrome, ketogenic diets, diets for phenylketonuria and glycogen stores) and the principles of artificial nutrition.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1) Principles of clinical nutrition in children The following concepts with reference to the pediatric age will be summarize: nutrients and their nutritional and functional value; nutritional needs (application of RDAs in children); assessment of nutritional status and body composition in children; nutrition education towards a balanced diet and promotion of healthy lifestyles. 2) Nutrition in children: in physiology and pathology- Nutritional programming - Nutrition in the early stages of life and risk of diet-induced diseases in the future. -The Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation- Breastfeeding: benefits in the short and long term- Key diet-related diseases in children: obesity, Type 2 diabetes, lipid disorders: epidemiology, pathogenesis due to nutritional factors, complications. -Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease: epidemiology and pathophysiology-The Metabolic syndrome in children: identification of critical periods to set preventive strategies-Treatment of obesity in children - Psychological and behavioral aspects of the obese patient. - Eating disorders-Nutritional approach in allergy to cow's milk proteins and celiac disease. -The malnutrition in defect in children: epidemiology and nutritional assessment tools 3) Nutrition in children: new topics- Concepts of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics and epigenetic--Functional Food- Omega 3 in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases and diet-related- Microbiome and obesity-metabolic syndrome: linkage and modulation through probiotics-The Mediterranean diet today: lights and shadows- Vegetarian diets - Food safety
Prerequisites for admission
Nutrition principles in physiology: concept of nutritional needs and metabolism of the main nutrients (micro and macro).
Teaching methods
face to face lessons and practical sessions
Teaching Resources
slides and recommended books: Modern Nutrition in Health & Disease (Shils) 11 edition Lippincott Williams, Nutraceutuci in età evolutiva Scripta Manent Edizioni
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of the course the student will have to acquire skills regarding: how to evaluate the nutritional status of the child, such as nutritional schemes and dietary patterns to advise for prevention, according to age groups; nutritional principles for the treatment of the main food-related diseases of the child, elaboration of specific diets for some pathologies (diets for obesity and metabolic syndrome, ketogenic diets, diets for phenylketonuria and glycogen stores) and principles of artificial nutrition.
Written exam in the form of a quiz with single-answer questions.
The mark will be expressed in thirtieths.
Written exam in the form of a quiz with single-answer questions.
The mark will be expressed in thirtieths.
MED/38 - PAEDIATRICS - University credits: 4
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Verduci Elvira
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Verduci ElviraProfessor(s)