Infants fed goat milk or on a strict vegetarian diet are at risk for deficiency of which nutrients requiring evaluation?

Infants fed goat milk or on a strict vegetarian diet are at risk for deficiency of which nutrients requiring evaluation?

• A. Vitamin C and D
• B. Iron and zinc
• C. Folic acid and Vitamin B12
• D. Calcium and phosphorus

Answer: (C)

Folate (folic acid) and vitamin B12 are the nutrients most likely to be lacking in this situation because they come largely from animal products, and goat milk or strict vegetarian diets can fail to provide enough of them for an infant. Folate is essential for making new cells, especially in a rapidly growing infant, and deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia and growth problems. Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell formation and neural development; without adequate B12, infants can develop anemia and neurodevelopmental issues. Goat milk contains very little folic acid and B12, and a strict vegetarian diet may lack B12 unless adequately supplemented or fortified foods are used, making these two nutrients the ones that most often require evaluation. While other nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, or calcium can be concerns in various contexts, the pattern described here most directly points to folic acid and vitamin B12.

Folate (folic acid) and vitamin B12 are the nutrients most likely to be lacking in this situation because they come largely from animal products, and goat milk or strict vegetarian diets can fail to provide enough of them for an infant. Folate is essential for making new cells, especially in a rapidly growing infant, and deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia and growth problems. Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell formation and neural development; without adequate B12, infants can develop anemia and neurodevelopmental issues. Goat milk contains very little folic acid and B12, and a strict vegetarian diet may lack B12 unless adequately supplemented or fortified foods are used, making these two nutrients the ones that most often require evaluation. While other nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, or calcium can be concerns in various contexts, the pattern described here most directly points to folic acid and vitamin B12.