Developmental changes in salt acceptability in human infants.
Human infants less than 4 months of age ingested water and moderate concentrations of sodium chloride solution (0.10-0.20 M) in equal amounts. In contrast, infants 4-24 months of age exhibited heightened acceptance of saline solution relative to water. Such a developmental change in salt acceptability is consistent with a hypothesis of postnatal maturation of peripheral and/or central structures underlying this response. Children 31-60 months of age tended to reject saline solution relative to water. This change may in part reflect the effects of experience.
Beauchamp
G K
GK
Cowart
B J
BJ
Moran
M
M
D000367:Age Factors; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000502:physiology
D012965:Sodium Chloride