International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Gain confidence for the IBCLC Exam. Try our quizzes featuring flashcards and multiple choice questions, all accompanied by hints and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What key roles does docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) support in infants?

Cognitive development, muscle growth, visual acuity
Cognitive development, nerve myelination, visual development
Muscle growth, respiratory health, cognitive flexibility
Bone health, cognitive development, emotional stability

The correct answer is: Cognitive development, nerve myelination, visual development

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a crucial role in several key areas of infant development, particularly cognitive and visual functions. One of the primary roles of DHA is in cognitive development, where it contributes to the structural composition of the brain. Adequate levels of DHA are associated with improved cognitive outcomes, including enhanced learning and memory abilities in infants. Additionally, DHA is critically involved in nerve myelination, the process of forming a myelin sheath around nerve fibers. This myelination is essential for proper nervous system function, enabling efficient transmission of nerve impulses, which is vital for overall brain development and the maturation of motor and cognitive skills. Visual development is another significant role of DHA. High concentrations of DHA are found in the retina, and adequate intake is linked to better visual acuity and perception in infants. These elements highlight why this answer is considered correct, as it encompasses the key developmental aspects that DHA supports: cognitive development, nerve myelination, and visual development.