A healthy full-term infant would require how many kcal/kg/day for adequate growth and development?

• A. 150-180
• B. 100-120
• C. 120-140
• D. 200-240

Answer: (A)

Newborns have a high metabolic rate and rapid growth in the first months, so their daily energy needs per kilogram are relatively high to support both maintenance and tissue development. The recommended target for a healthy full-term infant is about 150–180 kcal per kilogram per day. This range helps ensure enough energy for growth and brain development while aligning with the typical energy density of milk and the amount a baby usually consumes.

For example, a 3.5 kg infant would need roughly 525–630 kcal daily. Since human milk provides about 0.65 kcal per milliliter, this translates to roughly 800–970 mL of breast milk per day, which matches common feeding patterns for a breastfed newborn.

Lower ranges (around 100–120 or 120–140 kcal/kg/day) would underfuel growth needs, while a range like 200–240 kcal/kg/day would require daily volumes beyond what is commonly consumed and could be unnecessary.