Child development Flashcards
What is development?
Global impression of a child which encompasses growth, increase in understanding, acquisition of new skills + more sophisticated responses + behaviour
What are teratogens?
Environmental agents that cause congenital anomalies by interfering with fetal organogenesis, growth or cellular physiology or by disrupting previously normal tissue
Give 3 examples of antenatal teratogens
Maternal infections
Toxins e.g. alcohol
Drugs
Give 3 examples of postnatal teratogens
Infections e.g. meningitis, encephalitis
Metabolic disorders e.g. hypoglycaemia
Trauma
What are the 4 domains of the brain?
Gross motor + posture
Fine motor + vision
Language + hearing
Social, emotional + behaviour
In terms of development, what is a milestone?
Acquisition of a key performance skill
What is the pattern of development like between children?
Follows a constant pattern but there is variation in rate
In terms of development, what is the median age?
Age when half of a standard population of children achieve that level
In terms of development, what are limit ages?
Age by which they should have achieved= 2 SD from mean
What are the different stages of gross motor and posture development?
6 weeks- Raised head to 45 degrees in prone
6 months- Sits without support
9 months- Crawls
10 months- Cruises
12 months- Walks unsteadily (broad gait + hands apart)
18 months- walks steadily
What are primitive reflexes useful for?
Protective + survival value
Promote proper orientation
Promote postural support + balance
Name 5 primitive reflexes
Stepping Moro Grasp Asymmetric tonic reflex Rooting
What does fine motor and vision assess?
Hand function + hand-eye coordination
What are the stages of fine motor and vision development?
6 weeks- Follows moving object or face by turning head
6 months- Palmar grasp
9 months- Mature pincer grip
18 months- Builds basic tower
What are the stages of development for language and hearing?
Newborn- Startles to noises 3 months- Turns to sound 6 months- Vocalisations 9 months- 2 syllable babble 12 months: 1-2 words 18 months- 6-12 words
What are the development stages for social behaviour and play?
6 months- Puts food in mouth
9 months- Waves bye, plays peek a boo
12 months- Imitates activities
18 months- Uses spoon
Give a brief breakdown of ages of first steps:
25% by 11 months
50% by 12 months
97.5% by 18 months
What is cerebral palsy? What are most cases caused by? List 3 associated problems
A disorder of movement + posture arising from a non-progressive lesion of the brain acquired before age 2
Antenatal
Learning difficulties, Epilepsy + Poor growth
What does management of cerebral palsy aim to do?
Minimise spasticity + manage associated problems
Describe the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder
3-6 per 1000
Boys > Girls
List 3 features of Autism
Impaired social interaction
Speech + Language disorder
Imposition of routines with ritualistic + repetitive behaviour
What 2 associated comorbidities are associated with autism?
Learning + attention difficulties
Epilepsy
What is the management approach for Autism?
Intensive support for child + family
List the diagnostic criteria for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Inattention Hyperactivity Impulsivity Lasting > 6 months Commencing < 7 years + inconsistent with the Childs developmental level
What are children with ADHD have increased risk of?
Conduct disorder
Anxiety disorder
Aggression
Describe 4 management approaches for ADHD
Psychotherapy
Family therapy
Drugs
Diet
What is the prevalence of moderate learning disability?
30 per 1000
List 4 causes of learning disabilities
Chromosome disorders
Other identifiable syndromes
Postnatal cerebral insults
Metabolic or degenerative disease
List 3 features of a child presenting with learning disabilities
Reduced intellectual functioning
Delay in early milestones
Dysmorphic features
List 3 associated problems experienced by children with learning disabilities
Epilepsy
Sensory impairment
ADHD
What is the management approach for children with learning disabilities?
Establishing a diagnosis + input from the MDT with long term follow-up
What does abnormal development refer to?
Slow acquisition of skills, can follow 3 patterns:
Slow but steady
Plateau
Regression
List 4 factors influencing developmental delay
Ill health
Reduced inherent potential
Sensory/ motor impairment
Lack of physical/ psychological stimuli
How can developmental delay be classified?
Global
Specific (Language, motor, sensory or cognitive)
List 5 commonly used assessment tools for developmental delay
Standardised tests Schedule of Growing Skills Griffiths developmental scale Bailey developmental scale Denver developmental screening test
What is assessed in a physical examination to determine developmental delay?
Appearance Growth Hearing + vision Skin Genitalia
What tests may be performed to determine developmental delay?
FBC + Ferritin TSH Chromosomes Lead Ultrasound CT/ MRI
What are the 4 key objectives of management of developmental delay?
Maximise mobility
Minimise discomfort
Promote speech + language
Promote social + emotional health
List 6 common features of developmental delay
Delayed walker Clumsy child Delayed speech + language Odd social interaction- ASD/Aspergers Hyperactivity Specific learning difficulties
