This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: None, Subject name: Pediatrics
[{'content': 'Benefits of breast milk are – \nSelect and explain. \nA. Better nutrition, B. Less infection, C. Less allergy, D. All of these', 'role': 'user'}, {'content': "Answer: D \nExplanation: Breast feeding\n\nBreast feeding is feeding an infant or young child with breast milk directly from breast and not from a baby bottle or other container.\nUnder any circumstances, breast milk is the ideal food for the infant —> Human breast milk is the best source of nourishment for human infants.\nNo other food is required by the baby until the age of 6 months after birth.\nSo, exclusive breast feeding should be given to infant for first 6 months of life.\n\nBenefits of breast feeding\n\nAmong the benefits of breast feeding are the following -\n\nSuperior nutrition\nCarbohydrates\n\nLactose is in a high concentration in breast milk which helps in the absorption of calcium and enhances the growth of lactobacilli in the intestine.\n\nProteins\n\nThe protein content of breast milk is low which causes lower solute load on the kidney.\nMost of the protein is whey proteins (lactalbumin and lactoglobulin), which can be digested easily (In contrast cow milk contains more casein).\nBreast milk contains the ideal ratio of the amino acids cysteine, taurine and methionine to support the development of the central and peripheral nervous system.\n\nFats\n\n\nBreast milk is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, necessary for the myelination of the nervous system and brain growth.\nActive lipase in the breast milk promotes digestion of fats and provides FFA.\nThe pattern of fats facilitates the absorption of calcium.\n\nMinerals\n\nBreast milk protects against neonatal hypocalcemia and tetany due to ideal calcium phosphorus ratio (2:1) and better calcium absorption.\nIron of breast milk is very well absorbed → breast feeding prevents against iron deficiency anemia.\nBreast milk also prevents deficiencies of vitamin A, C, D, E and zinc.\nBreast milk has a water content of 88% and hence a breastfed baby does not require additional water in the first 6 months of life even in summer months.\nBreast milk has a low mineral and sodium content → low osmolality presents a low solute load to the kidney.\n\nLower risk of infection\n\nThe breast milk is clean and uncontaminated with several anti-infective factors → protect the baby from infection and diarrhoea\n\nProtection from allergy (atopy)\n\nLow protein contents of breast milk along with a higher concentration of secretory IgA decreases the absorption of protein macromolecules → less chances of allergy and asthma.\n\nEmotional bonding\n\nBreast feeding promotes close physical and emotional bonds between the mother and the baby.\n\nOthers\n\nBreast feeding lowers the risk of ovarian and breast cancer in mother.\nBreastfed babies have a higher IQ and have less chances of developing hypertension, obesity, coronary artery disease and diabetes in their adulthood.\nThe other diseases which are less common in breastfed babies include inflammatory bowel disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma, necrotizing enterocolitis and sudden infant death syndrome.", 'role': 'assistant'}]