Lecture 2

Question 1

What is the perinatal period?

What is gestational age?

What is chronological age?

What is corrected age?

What is postmenstural age?

Answer 1

• According to WHO, the perinatal period commences at 22 completed weeks (154 days) of gestation and ends seven completed days after birth
• Gestational Age is the time elapsed between the first day of the last normal menstrual period and the day of delivery
• “Chronological age” (or “postnatal” age) is the time elapsed after birth
• “Corrected age” (or “adjusted age”) is a term most appropriately used to describe children up to 3 years of age who were born preterm. calculated by subtracting the number of weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological age
• Postmenstrual age is the time elapsed between the first day of the last menstrual period and birth plus the time elapsed after birth

Question 2

What are some of the primitive reflexes?

Answer 2

Reflex Onset Integration

Suck-swallow 28 wks gestation 2-5 mos.
Rooting 28 weeks gest 3 mos.
Flexor withdrawal 28 weeks gest 1-2 mos.
Moro 28 weeks gest 4-6 mos.
Positive support 35 weeks gest 1-2 mos.
Asym. tonic neck Birth 4-6 mos.
Palmar grasp Birth 9 mos.

*Rooting - rub baby’s cheek, will turn

Flexor with - stroke baby’s foot, will curl up

Moro - drop baby, lift arms up

Pos support - baby will try and support BW if held in that position

ATN - turn baby’s head, will straighten one arm and flex other

Question 3

When doing a GMA on a child, what are we looking for?

Answer 3

• -Writhing movements normal from pre-term to 6-9 weeks post-term age
• Fidgety movements normal from 6-9 to 15-20 weeks post term age
• Studies have demonstrated 95% specificity and sensitivity for identification of cerebral palsy when abnormalities found (<5 mos.)

Question 4

What is the difference between preterm, term and postterm babies?

Answer 4

Preterm: born before 37 weeks gestational age

Term: between 38-40 weeks

Postterm - 40+ weeks