How do calories in CLD infants typically compare?

How do calories in CLD infants typically compare?

• A. Higher calorie needs
• B. Lower calorie needs
• C. Calorie needs the same as healthy infants
• D. Not well defined in literature

Answer: (A)

In CLD infants, energy expenditure is higher because the work of breathing is increased. Chronic lung disease makes breathing more laborious, so infants burn more calories just to breathe, on top of any extra energy needed for growth and repair. This elevated energy use means their caloric needs per kilogram are greater than those of healthy infants. Feeding can also be tiring for them, which can limit intake, so clinicians often compensate by providing more calories in the diet (for example, fortified or more energy-dense feeds) to support appropriate growth. So, higher calorie needs best explain why CLD infants typically require more calories than healthy peers.

In CLD infants, energy expenditure is higher because the work of breathing is increased. Chronic lung disease makes breathing more laborious, so infants burn more calories just to breathe, on top of any extra energy needed for growth and repair. This elevated energy use means their caloric needs per kilogram are greater than those of healthy infants. Feeding can also be tiring for them, which can limit intake, so clinicians often compensate by providing more calories in the diet (for example, fortified or more energy-dense feeds) to support appropriate growth. So, higher calorie needs best explain why CLD infants typically require more calories than healthy peers.