Infant development

Question 1

Prenatal risks to development

Answer 1

Stress, nutrition, maternal age, teratogens (thalidomide, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, aspirin, environmental hazard - Pb, Hg, X-rays)

Question 2

APGAR index

Answer 2

0-2 points per criterion, 1 and 5 mins post partum

Appearance (skin tone)
Pulse (heart rate)
Grimace (reflexes)
Activity (muscle tone)
Respiration (breathing effort)

7+ : good
4-6 : needs special attention
≤ 3 : life threatening

Question 3

Brazelton Behavioural Assessment Scale / NBAS

Answer 3

• Conducted on 0-2 month olds
• 28 behavioural items, 18 reflex items

Assesses:
- Autonomic (body regulation, e.g., breathing)
- Motor (body control)
- States (maintaining states – alert, asleep)
- Social (interactions)

Question 4

States

Answer 4

Alert inactivity: calm, inspecting environment

Walking activity: uncoordinated motion, unfocussed eyes

Sleep: variable eye activity and breathing quality
- Sleep cycles
- Newborns: 4 hour cycle (3 sleeping, 1 awake)
- 3-4 months: 5-6 hour cycles
- 6 months: 10-12 hours sleeping at night

Crying:
- Basic cry: starts soft, building in volume and intensity, seen when the child is hungry or tired
- Mad cry: more intense and louder
- Pain cry: wailing, pausing and gasping

Question 5

Temperament - Rothbart’s 3 dimensions

Answer 5

1. Surgency/extroversion: happy, active, vocal, seeks stimulation
2. Negative affect: scared, angry, frustrated, shy
   - dimension most influenced by hereditary factors
3. Effortful control: inhibits impulses, not easily distracted, focussed attention

Question 6

Milestones in neonatal development

Answer 6

4 months: sit w/ support

7 months: sit alone

8 months: stand with help

11 months: walk when led

14 months: stand alone

15 months: walk alone

Question 7

Adolescent

Answer 7

• Puberty = physical and psychological
• Gender exploration
• Risky behaviour
• Romantic relationships and sexual behaviour - contraception, sexual coercion
• Smoking, alcohol, drugs

Question 8

Babinski reflex

Answer 8

Toes fan when foot stroked from heel to toe

Remnant of evolution

Question 9

Blink

Answer 9

Blink in response to loud noises or bright lights

Eye protection

Question 10

Moro

Answer 10

Throw up arms and then embrace in response to loud noises or if head falls

May help cling to mother

Question 11

Palmar

Answer 11

Grasp objects placed in hand

Fine motor skills

Question 12

Rooting

Answer 12

When cheek is stroked, baby turns face and opens mouth

Helps to find nipple to allow feeding

Question 13

Stepping

Answer 13

Baby held upright and moved forward begins to step

Precursor to walking

Question 14

Sucking

Answer 14

Baby sucks on any object placed in mouth

Permits feeding

Question 15

Withdrawal

Answer 15

Withdraw feet when pricked with pin on sole

Protection from unpleasant stimuli

Question 16

Dynamic systems theory

Answer 16

• Motor development involves development of distinct skills that work together to allow motion
• Differentiation occurs first (mastery of distinct skills)
• Integration occurs next (combining distinct skills to complete a task)

Question 17

Milestones in neonatal development: Fine Motor Skills

Answer 17

• 4 months: infants clumsily reach for objects
• 5 months: coordinated movement of both hands
• 2-3 years: children can use zippers but not buttons
• 6 years: tying shoe laces

Question 18

Milestones in neonatal development: Hearing

Answer 18

• 6 months: differentiating between pitches and adults
• 7 months: using sound to locate direction and distance

Question 19

Milestones in neonatal development: Seeing

Answer 19

• 1 months: can see 20 feet ahead (adults can see 200-400 feet)
• 3 months: colour perception is the same as in adulthood
• 1 year: visual acuity is equal to adults (clarity of vision)