paediatrics and human growth and development

Question 1

what age is a paediatric

Answer 1

anyone under 18

Question 2

what are some upper respiratory system differences between paediatrics and adults

Answer 2

-disproportionally larger tongue
-high up epiglottis
-narrower more fragile airway
-smaller airway
-less cartilage
-cilia are more immature
-paediatrics have more mucus cells
-mainly ‘nose breathers’

Question 3

what shape is a paediatrics airway

Answer 3

funnel shape (adults is straight)

Question 4

what are some lower respiratory system differences between paediatrics and adults

Answer 4

-funnel shapes
-fewer smaller and shallower alveoli
-greater O2 diffusion distances
-chest wall is weaker
-lungs are less complaint
-‘box-like- rib cage

Question 5

what are the signs of respiratory distress

Answer 5

-tachycardia
-tachypnoea
-drooling
-wheezing
-stridor
-head bobbing
-accessory muscles

Question 6

what are the signs of respiratory failure

Answer 6

-cyanosis
-altered conscious level
-apnoea

Question 7

is the HR of a baby higher or lower than an adults

Answer 7

higher, heart is much smaller.

Question 8

what is cardiac output

Answer 8

volume of blood pumped from the left/right ventricle
CO (ml/min) = SV (ml/beat) x HR (beat/min)

Question 9

what are other differences in a and p in paediatrics compared to adults

Answer 9

-relatively large surface area, and they cool quickly.
-poorly developed thermoregulation
-prone to hypoglycaemia
-liver and spleen are less well produced by the ribs
-bladder extends out of the pelvis

Question 10

when is the germinal stage and what are the key events

Answer 10

first 2 weeks after conception
-fertilization
-cell division
-blastocyst formation
-journey to uterus
-implantation

Question 11

what factors affect cell division

Answer 11

-genetics
-interactions with environment
-nutrition
-micronutrients
-environmental factors (physical, socioeconomic and parental and community influence)

Question 12

what is growth

Answer 12

Increase in size, mass, and number of cells resulting in an increase in body size.
Measurable changes in physical attributes such as height, weight, and head circumference.

Question 13

what is development

Answer 13

Progressive acquisition of skills and abilities through various stages of life.
Involves physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes.

Question 14

what is bone growth

Answer 14

the process by which bones increase in size and density, critical for overall skeletal development and health.

Question 15

what are the two different types of bone growth

Answer 15

-Intramembranous Ossification: Formation of flat bones (e.g., skull, clavicles).
-Endochondral Ossification: Formation of long bones (e.g., femur, humerus) and most of the skeleton.

Question 16

what is intramembranous ossification and how are they formed

Answer 16

formation of flat bones
-Some cells in the body change into bone-forming cells.
-These cells start producing bone in certain areas.
-As they build bone, they get stuck and turn into mature bone cells.
-The bone forms a spongy structure.
-A tough outer layer forms on the bone’s surface, helping create a hard, compact bone

Question 17

what is endochondral ossification and how are they formed

Answer 17

formation of long bones
-Certain cells change into cartilage cells, creating a cartilage model of the bone.
-The cartilage model grows and starts hardening.
-Blood vessels enter the hardened cartilage, bringing bone-forming cells.
-These cells replace the cartilage with bone in the centre of the bone.
-Additional bone-forming areas develop at the ends of the bone, helping it grow longer.
-Growth plates allow the bone to keep growing in length until you stop growing as an adult.

Question 18

what is the laymen term for itramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification

Answer 18

intramembranous: formation of flat bones
endochrondral: formation of long bones

Question 19

what are growth plates on bones

Answer 19

areas of cartilage located at the ends of long bones where bone growth occurs in children and adolescents. they are critical for long bone growth.

Question 20

when and how do growth plates close

Answer 20

they typically close between ages 16 and 21, depending on genetics, sex, and hormonal influences.
they close due to hormonal changes during puberty, growth plates thin and eventually ossify, transforming into solid bone and ceasing further lengthening.

Question 21

what factors affect bone growth

Answer 21

-genetics
-hormones (growth, thyroid and sex hormones)
-nutrition
-physical activity
-injury and disease.

Question 22

what considerations must paramedics make regarding growth plates.

Answer 22

must play immediate attention to growth plate injuries to prevent long-term complications.
take to ED for x-rays and MRI to assess damage and guide treatment.