L6 Infant Growth and Development Flashcards
Intra-Uterine Growth
Embryonic and fetal growth - assessed by birthweight
Gestational age
Post menstrual age: number of weeks + days since 1st day of last menstrual period
Full term
38-42 weeks post menstrual age
Pre term
less than 37 weeks post menstrual age
Low birth weight
< 2500 g at delivery
What is assessed at delivery?
Measure the length, weight, head circumference. Is assessed using growth charts and provides information about patterns of intra-uterine growth.
What is the percentile of a SGA baby?
<10th percentile - weight per age
What is the percentile for AGA baby?
10 - 90th percentile
What is the precentile for a LGA baby?
> 90th percentile
Why do we use the birth weight classification?
It is a method of describing the likelihood of adverse outcomes.
Different issues with the different classifications.
What are the infant, placental and maternal causes for a SGA baby?
Infant: congenital anomalies, genetic conditions, congenital infections.
Placental: small placenta, inadequate placental blood flow
Maternal (environmental): smoking, drugs, alcohol, under nutrition.
What are the issues associated with a SGA infant?
Hypoglycemia due to lack of glycogen stores during gestation, inability to maintain temperature from lack of body fat, decreased immune competence, and neurological and behavioral problems
What are the infant and maternal causes of a LGA infant?
Infant: genetic
Maternal: uncontrolled/poorly controlled diabetes (infant with a diabetic mother is at an increased risk of diabetes ??)
What are some issued associated with a LGA infant?
- Birth injury
- hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, respiratory, cardiac problems, congenital malformation (3-4X risk)
What is congenital malformation?
When there is too much glucose available for the fetus. Development may favour hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia.
Why do we monitor growth (X5)?
- To help reinforce healthy eating patterns
- Tool for nutrition and health evaluation
- Initiate further assessment in case of unusual growth patterns
- “teachable moments” with caregivers
- context for regular contact with primary health care services
How long do we use growth charts for?
What are they measuring?
birth to 2 years (CDC growth charts only)
- weight for age
- length for age
- head circumference for age
- weight for length
What is the difference between the CDC Growth Charts and the WHO Child Growth Standards?
CDC:
- measures how infants growth within a population. Growth is assessed relative to others in the population.
- reference group is a large group of infants in the USA
- includes breast fed and formula fed
- compares growth to other infants
WHO Standards:
- sets the standards of the optimal growth in infants
- growth is assessed relative to optimal
- identifies inadequate or excessive growth
- international growth charts
- longitudinal follow up of children in 6 countries
- infants included in data were selective (healthy, living in favorable conditions, breastfed, non-smoker mothers)
Why did WHO choose to use only breast fed?
Breast is best
Breast fed infants have a slower rate of gain in the first year compared to formula fed.
What ages if the WHO Child Growth Standard for?
birth to 5 years