DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING, AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS 1.1 Flashcards
What is the correlation between developmental milestones and brain maturation in children?
Developmental milestones align with age-group and brain maturation; understanding brain maturation helps predict milestones.
What is the most common presentation of developmental disability?
Failure to achieve age-appropriate developmental milestones.
What are the five domains of developmental milestones?
Motor (gross and fine), language (expressive and receptive), social, cognition/intelligence, and behavioral.
At what age should a child be walking independently, and what is a red flag?
Most children walk by 12 months; inability to walk by 18 months is a red flag.
What should be the approach if developmental red flags are identified?
Provide early intervention and consider specialist referral.
What does ‘cephalocaudal development’ refer to in brain maturation?
Development from head to toe, as seen in gross motor skill acquisition.
At what age can children typically roll over due to neck and trunk motor control?
Around 3 to 4 months.
What is the significance of ‘proximal to distal’ development?
Development progresses from the chest to the fingers, enabling fine motor control.
When does pincer grasp typically develop?
At 8 to 9 months.
What happens during synaptogenesis?
The number of synapses increases significantly, supporting brain development.
Why are early experiences critical in brain development?
They determine the strength and efficiency of neural connections.
When does the brain’s pruning process for higher-order thinking complete?
In the early 20s.
What are ‘sensitive periods’ in early brain development?
Times when brain development is most rapid and disruptions can cause long-term effects.
What role does epigenetics play in brain development?
Environmental factors influence gene expression and long-term developmental outcomes.
What are the critical periods for language development?
Begins at 6 months and continues until around age 7.
What is the energy consumption of the brain in newborns compared to four-year-olds?
97% in newborns, dropping to 44% by age four as the brain matures.
What happens during pruning in adolescence?
Excess gray matter is removed, making brain connections more specialized and efficient.
What are some environmental factors that affect gene expression through epigenetics?
Temperature, radiation, diet, food, drugs, and nutrients.
What are the three domains affected during drowning pathophysiology?
Anoxic-ischemic injury, pulmonary injury, and cold water injury/hypothermia.
What developmental milestone occurs at 6 to 7 months?
Children begin to sit on their own.
What is the first brain function to develop after birth?
Vision and hearing develop first, followed by language and higher cognitive functions.
What does ‘nature and nurture’ mean in the context of epigenetics?
Development is influenced by both genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental experiences (nurture).
What is the goal of identifying developmental red flags early?
To enable timely intervention and optimize developmental outcomes.
What should you do if a parent expresses concern about their child’s development?
Listen to their concerns and refer to a specialist if necessary.
What does development occur in a predictable manner depend on?
A child’s age, allowing anticipation of specific maturation and developmental domains.
What are extrinsic factors in development?
Nurture, environmental influences, experiences, and upbringing.
What are intrinsic factors in development?
Genetics and biological aspects that shape growth.
What role does motor development play in other areas?
Strong motor development supports advancements in other areas, such as language development.
What tools can physicians use to monitor development?
Developmental milestones, developmental screening tools, and parental concerns.
What should parents do to monitor developmental milestones?
Encourage regular check-ups with the pediatrician.
When should a physician address parental concerns about development?
Always, especially if a parent, mother, or grandmother is worried.
What is essential in assessing developmental history?
Understanding what is considered normal for each developmental domain within a specific age group.
What indicates a developmental delay in a three-year-old child?
Inability to answer basic questions like their name or address.
What prenatal and perinatal events can lead to developmental delays?
Maternal illness, medication, or hypoxia during labor.
What medical conditions can affect brain development?
Sepsis, meningitis, and encephalitis.
What family history factors are relevant to development?
Epilepsy, genetic disorders, or metabolic disorders.
What is the normal head circumference at birth?
33-35 cm.
What does a head circumference of 2 SD below normal indicate?
Microcephaly.
What reflex is stimulated by stroking the sole of the foot?
Babinski reflex.
When does the Babinski reflex disappear?
9 months to a year.
What reflex involves grasping tightly when palms are touched?
Grasping reflex.
When does the grasping reflex weaken?
At 3 months and disappears by 1 year.
What is the Moro reflex response to a sudden move or noise?
Startles, throws out arms and legs, then pulls them toward the body.
When does the Moro reflex disappear?
3-4 months.
What reflex involves turning toward a stroked cheek?
Rooting reflex.
When does the rooting reflex disappear?
3-4 months.
What does an asymmetric reflex indicate?
Possible weakness or cerebral palsy.
What is the significance of a persistent reflex?
It is a red flag and could indicate developmental delay.
What reflex appears at 6-9 months and persists thereafter?
Parachute reflex.
What is the forward parachute reflex?
A protective extension reaction forward to prevent injury.
What does an absent parachute reflex indicate?
Possible motor delay or cerebral palsy.
When should lateral protective equilibrium develop?
By 7-8 months.
What is the critical period for language development?
Begins at 6 months and continues until around age 7.
What factors can imprint long-term effects on gene expression?
Environmental factors like diet, radiation, or drugs.
What does synaptogenesis involve?
Formation of new synapses, critical for neural connections and development.
When does maximal language synaptogenesis occur?
By 2 years old.
Why is the frontal lobe critical in adolescence?
It supports advanced thinking and planning skills.
What happens to brain energy consumption by age 4?
Drops to 44% from 97% at birth.
What indicates normal development for a 1-year-old?
Head circumference tripled from birth size to around 43-45 cm.
What does the presence of café au lait spots suggest?
Possible neurocutaneous disorders like neurofibromatosis.
When should primitive reflexes disappear?
By specific ages; persistence is a red flag.
Which reflex involves coordinated swimming movements?
Swimming reflex, disappearing at 6-7 months.
How should a developmental physical exam start?
With observation: ‘Stop, Look, Listen, and Make it a game.’
What should be noted in a developmental physical exam?
Facial features, skin, head circumference, and neurologic examination.
What is a common reason a child cannot talk?
Hearing loss.
What reflex involves a defense reaction to prevent a fall backward?
Backward parachute reflex.
What should be done if developmental concerns arise?
Refer to a specialist immediately.
