International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What is an indicator of a possible metabolic disorder in infants?

1. Excessive crying

2. Poor weight gain

3. Frequent colds

4. Slow reflexes

The correct answer is: Poor weight gain

Poor weight gain is a critical indicator of a possible metabolic disorder in infants. Infants with metabolic disorders may have difficulty metabolizing nutrients, leading to inadequate energy production and, consequently, insufficient weight gain. This lack of appropriate weight gain or weight loss can alert healthcare providers to potential underlying issues, prompting further evaluation for metabolic or endocrine disorders such as congenital hypothyroidism or phenylketonuria (PKU). While excessive crying, frequent colds, and slow reflexes could also be signs of various health issues, they are not specific indicators of metabolic disorders in the same way that poor weight gain is. Excessive crying might suggest discomfort or other non-specific issues, frequent colds are generally related to immune system function, and slow reflexes can arise from numerous conditions, but they do not directly signal metabolic dysfunction. Therefore, poor weight gain stands out as a more direct and crucial indicator for metabolic concerns in infants.