Normal Child Development and Developmental Problems, ENT Flashcards
Define child development.
The biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur between birth and adolescence as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy. It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence however each child’s development is unique.
Give 5 influences on a child’s development.
- Genetic factors.
- Stimulating environment.
- Pregnancy factors e.g. premature? Mum’s health?
- Healthy attachment.
- Medical conditions.
- Abuse/neglect/domestic violence.
- Healthy peer relationships.
- Education.
- Nutrition.
- Parenting style.
What are the 4 domains of child development?
- Gross motor.
- Fine motor and vision.
- Speech, language and hearing.
- Social interaction and self care skills.
What are the developmental milestones for gross motor function?
- 3m: lifts head on tummy.
- 6m: chest up with arm support, can sit unsupported.
- 8m: crawling.
- 9m: pulls to stand.
- 12m: walking.
- 2 years: walking up stairs.
- 3 years: jumping.
- 4 years: hopping.
- 5 years: rides a bike.
With regards to gross motor development, at what age would you expect a child to do the following:
a) walking.
b) jumping.
c) crawling.
d) walking up stairs.
a) Walking - 12 months.
b) Jumping - 3 years.
c) Crawling - 8 months.
d) Walking up stairs - 2 years.
What are the developmental milestones for fine motor and visual function?
- 4m: grabs an object using both hands.
- 8m: takes objects in each hand.
- 12m: scribbles with crayons e.g. circle, cross, square.
- 18m: builds a tower of 2 cubes.
- 3 years: builds a tower of 8 cubes.
With regards to fine motor and visual development, at what age would you expect a child to do the following:
a) drawing with crayons.
b) building a tower of 8 cubes.
c) takes an object in each hand.
d) builds a tower of 2 cubes.
a) Drawing with crayons - 12m.
b) Building a tower of 8 cubes - 3 years.
c) Takes an object in each hand - 8m.
d) Builds a tower of 2 cubes - 18m.
What are the developmental milestones for speech, language and hearing?
- 3m: laughs and squeals
- 9m: can make sounds such as ‘dada’ and ‘mama’.
- 12m: can say one word.
- 2 years: can form short sentences and name body parts.
- 3 years: speech is mainly understandable.
- 4 years: knows colours and can count.
- 5 years: knows the meaning of words.
With regards to speech, language and hearing, at what age would you expect a child to do the following:
a) form short sentences and name body parts.
b) knows colours and can count.
c) laughs and squeals.
d) has mainly understandable speech.
a) Forms short sentences and name body parts - 2 years.
b) Knows colours and can count - 4 years.
c) Laughs and squeals - 3 months.
d) Has mainly understandable speech - 3 years.
What are the developmental milestones for social interaction and self-care skills?
- 6 weeks: smiles.
- 6 months: finger feeds.
- 9m: waves bye-bye.
- 12m: uses cutlery.
- 2 years: undresses, feeds toys.
- 3 years: plays with others, names a friend.
- 4 years: dresses with no help, plays a board game.
What does ‘The healthy child programme’ encourage?
- Encourages care to keep children healthy and safe.
- Promotes healthy eating and activity.
- Identifies problems in children’s development.
- Identifies ‘at risk’ families for more support.
- Ensures children are prepared for school.
Give two examples of concerning child development with regards to gross motor function.
- Not sitting by 12 months.
2. Not walking by 18 months.
Give an example of concerning child development with regards to fine motor function.
Hand preference before 18 months.
Give two speech and language examples that may suggest concerning child development.
- Not smiling by 3 months - blindness? ASD?
2. No clear words by 18 months - ASD? Language problems?
Give two examples of concerning child development with regards to social development.
- No response to carers interactions by 8 weeks.
2. No interest in playing by 3 years.
Give 5 red flags in child development.
- Regression.
- Poor health/growth.
- Significant family history.
- Abnormal findings on examination e.g. microcephaly.
- Safeguarding indicators.
Causes of developmental delay: give examples of genetic causes.
- Chromosomal disorders e.g. Down’s syndrome.
- Micro-deletions or micro-duplications.
- Single gene disorders e.g. Duchenne.
- Polygenic e.g. ASD, ADHD.
Causes of developmental delay: give examples of pregnancy related causes.
- Congenital infections e.g. CMV, HIV.
- Exposure to drugs/alcohol.
- MCA infarct.
Causes of developmental delay: give examples of birth related causes.
- Prematurity.
2. Birth asphyxia (due to hypoxia).
Causes of developmental delay: give examples of childhood related causes.
- Infections e.g. meningitis.
- Chronic ill health.
- Acquired brain injury.
- Hearing or visual impairment.
How might you investigate someone’s child development if you suspected that there was something wrong?
Thorough history and examination. Tailor any investigations to the child e.g.
- Boys not walking by 18m check creatinine kinase for Duchenne.
- Focal neurological signs -> MRI brain.
- Genetic testing.
- Unwell, failure to thrive -> metabolic investigations.
There is no ‘developmental screen’, investigations need to be tailored towards to the child.
Define childhood disability.
Someone who has a physical or mental impairment that results in a marked, pervasive limitation on activity. For example, Down’s syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Give 3 clinical features of down’s syndrome.
- face: upslanting palpebral fissures, epicanthic folds, Brushfield spots in iris, protruding tongue, small low-set ears, round/flat face, flat occiput
- single palmar crease, pronounced ‘sandal gap’ between big and first toe
- hypotonia
- congenital heart defects (40-50%, see below)
- duodenal atresia
- Hirschsprung’s disease
What is cerebral palsy?
A disorder of movement and posture due to a non-progressive lesion of the motor pathways in the developing brain
Give 3 causes of cerebral palsy.
80% antenatal - hypoxia, infection, haemorrhage, ischaemia.
10% peri-natal - hypoxia, infection, haemorrhage.
10% postnatal - hypoxia, infection e.g. meningitis, haemorrhage, trauma, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
Describe the support that is offered to someone with cerebral palsy.
- Physiotherapists for mobility and hand function.
- SALT for communication.
- Feeding support.
- Sleeping support.
Give 3 potential consequences of hearing loss.
- Speech and language delay.
- Social problems e.g. behavioural issues.
- Academic underachievement.
How does hearing loss in children often present?
- Parental concern.
- Speech, behavioural or educational problems.
- Incidentally on screening.