growth_flashcards
What are the three types of growth in children?
Infancy (birth to 2 years old), Childhood (3 to 11 years old), Puberty (12 to 18 years old).
What factors affect fetal growth?
Environmental, placental, hormonal, genetic (predominantly maternal).
What are the major drivers of growth in infancy?
Nutrition and insulin.
Why is insulin considered a major driver of growth in infancy?
In mothers with poorly controlled diabetes, high blood glucose leads to high fetal insulin production, resulting in macrosomia and hypoglycaemia at birth.
Are infants dependent on growth hormone for growth?
No, infants are not dependent on growth hormone as they have a low number of receptors and growth is not affected by hypopituitarism.
What drives growth in childhood?
Growth hormone and thyroxine.
What drives growth in puberty?
Growth hormone and sex steroids.
What is the most important determinant of final adult height?
Genetic factors.
How often should infants aged 0-1 years have their weight recorded?
At least 5 recordings of weight.
How often should children aged 1-2 years have their weight recorded?
At least 3 recordings of weight.
How often should children older than 2 years have their weight recorded?
Annual recording of weight.
What should be done for children below the 2nd centile for height?
They should be reviewed by their GP.
What should be done for children below the 0.4th centile for height?
They should be reviewed by a paediatrician.
