Pediatric Issues Paper - Essay Example

Since the nutrient mix of breast milk is yet not fully known, giving DHA in infant formula can cause negative impacts. Secondly, the DHA added to infant formula is highly synthetic oil, extracted by growing fungus and algae in laboratories, through processing a toxic chemical hexane. It can at no chance be compared to breast milk. For gathering the required information, the WIC clinic in the area decided to take two measures. First was to ask, as a routine from every mother on their visit, about the method they use to nourish their infant.

If the answer was Formula, they were further inquired about which formula they were using. Secondly, a representative was sent to every home in the nearby location to question different mothers about how they nourish their infant and incase of formula, which brand they use. Data was searched over the internet, locally published journals and magazines over infant health and growth. The research was thorough and focused on the rate of formula fed and breast fed babies and the effects on them of the chosen method of nourishment.

(Positive or negative) The results raised an alarm to take the matter into serious consideration. Having DHA added, the formula was marketed ‘as closest to breast milk as ever’. With increased marketing, the number of mothers who believe that both methods are equally good also took a height. After the advent of the idea in 1996, the survey results showed that 12% of mother had this believe in 2003, which rose to a disappointing 24% in 2004 (results shown in appendix). The manufacturing companies had no way to control the demand by controlling the number of babies born, therefore, through intensive marketing, they changed the perception and succeeded in convincing and discouraging mothers to breast feed in order to increase their sales.

It was shocking to hear firsthand horrible stories from mothers of how their infants