Child Development I Flashcards
(100 cards)
Growth
Growth refers to increase in physical size and dimensions, i.e. gain in ht, wt, and head circumference with advancement in age.Transient shifts may occur between 4-18 months but a child should reach a stable rate by 1.5 years of age.
What can cause Asymmetric Growth
Brachial plexus paralysis – leading to limb shortening.
Congenital varicella syndrome or myleodysplasia.
Upper motor neuron lesions.
Growth in Relation to Health
The rate of growth rather than absolute size is a sensitive indicator of health or disease. Therefore, all parameters should be measured in a serially consistent manner and recorded in a growth chart. If a child has values outside ± 2 SD range on a normal distribution curve or a continued and unexplained shift in growth trend indicates a need for evaluation.
Certain childhood illnesses or conditions may affect growth:
‐Neurologic impairment/CP ‐Oro-‐motor dysfunction (leading to FTT) ‐Endocrine dysfunction ‐Skeletal disease ‐Genetic condition (like Down Syndrome)
Children with Down Syndrome are typically at or near 3rd percentile for general population. Their average adult height is 5 ft for men, 4.5 ft for women.
The Importance of Head Circumference
The average head circumference is 34-35 cm at birth. It increases by 12 cm in the first year (46-47 cm).
Head circumference should be measured up until 3 yrs of age and thereafter if CNS pathology is suspected. A rapid increase in head size during the first year reflects normal growth and maturation of brain.
When do Fontanels and Sutures harden and close?
Fontanels are closed between 12-18 months. Sutures do not unite firmly until puberty
Height
The average length of FT is 50 cm. Length increases by 50% in first 12 months. The average growth is 12 cm in the 2nd year and 6-8 cm annually from 3-5 years of age. Adult height can be estimated by doubling the length at 2 years of age.
Changes in Height: Boys vs Girls
Girls attain maximal growth velocity before menarche and attain ultimate height 2 years after menarche. Boys grow fastest in late puberty concurrent with appearance of facial hair.
Height Predictions in Children with Defects
For children with marked deformity of the spine or lower extremity, height prediction can be obtained by measuring arm span. With significant bilateral atrophy of lower extremities due to lower motor neural lesion, a sitting height may be a better indicator of general growth than total height.
Height/Stature Progression
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Weight
Average FT neonate weighs approximately 3400 gm (range 2500/4600 gms). < 2500 gm are classified as low-birth-weight infants.
Babies lose up to 10% of body weight during 1st week of life. Weight Gain after 2nd week is about 1 oz every day during first 3 – 4 months. Weight is doubled by 5 – 6 months and tripled by 1 year of age.
During 2nd year of life average weight gain is about 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) and 2 kg (4.5 lbs) annually from 3 – 5 years of age
Low Birth Weight
LBW:
- < 37 wks – Premature
- > 37 wks FT – small for gestational age
Development
Development refers to neuro-maturation, i.e. achievement of systemic functional milestones relative to advancing age.
Development is the acquisition and refinement of the advancing skills. The neurophysiologic basis of achievement of milestones in CNS maturation.
Variations in Development
Under normal circumstances achievement of milestones has a predictable pattern. Individual variations may occur in the timing than in the process of sequences. Delays in milestones and areas of involvement will guide you to a diagnosis and management
Development Milestone: 1 month
Eyes follow to midline
Development Milestone: 2 months
Has responsive smile
Development Milestone: 3 months
Coos and chuckles (vocal/social response)
Development Milestone: 4 months
Holds head steady in seated position and can lift head 90° when prone
Development Milestone: 5 months
Grasps cube on contact
Development Milestone: 6 months
Can sit on chair erect
Development Milestone: 7 months
Can sit erect momentarily (on hard surface)
Development Milestone: 8 months
Crawls by dragging rest of body/pelvis on floor
Development Milestone: 9 months
Stands holding on
Development Milestone: 10 months
Creeps (hands and knees on floor with feet and trunk raised) 4-point reciprocal