Fetal and Infant Stage

Fetal and Infant Stage

• Genetics studies inheritance in humans, determining physical, mental traits, talents, and disease susceptibility
• Genes are the unit of heredity that maintain cells and pass genetic traits
• Chromosomes are structures of DNA and protein; humans have 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent
• Sex chromosomes determine sex; girls have two X chromosomes, boys have one X and one Y chromosome
• Autosomes are non-sex chromosomes
• The genome is the complete set of genetic information stored in chromosomes
• Genetic complication risk factors include women over 35, race, ethnicity, and family/medical history
• An anomaly refers to an abnormally inherited gene
• Blastocyst implantation occurs 7 days post-fertilization
• Digestive/urinary/genital systems share a cloaca junction
• Genetic screening is recommended for women over 35 at risk of carrying diseases and includes chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis
• Prenatal development lasts conception until birth, divided into trimesters
• Conception: has 3 steps oculation, fertilization, and implantation
• Oculation is two weeks prior to cycle, a mature egg is ejected from the ovary
• Fertilization occurs in the uterine tube; sperm penetrates the egg (also called the Ovum)
• Implantation occurs 7 days after fertilization; the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus in 3 stages
• A Zygote is a fertilized egg containing 46 chromosomes
• Gastrulation occurs 13-14 days after fertilization, forming three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endotherm
• Ectoderm is the outermost layer which forms skin, tooth enamel, lens and cornea of the eye
• Mesoderm forms skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, blood vessels, cartilage, joints, and kidneys
• Endotherm is the innermost layer and forms the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine ducts, and urinary bladder
• Evaginations are outpocketings/protrusions that develop into other structures/organs
• The first evagination is the allantois and forms from the urinary bladder
• Others develop into the lung, liver, pancreas, anterior pituitary, thyroid gland, and urinary bladder
• Neural tube formation occurs when the ectoderm near the cephalic end of the primitive streak is stimulated (about 18 days post-fertilization) and becomes the brain & spinal cord
• Somite formation occurs as the neural tube develops
• Mesoderm next to the tube forms somites
• The first few somites never divide clearly, but develop into somitomeres
• Somites and somitomeres help form the skull, vertebral column, and skeletal muscle
• Organ system formation occurs between 14-60 days after fertilization (organogenesis)
• This includes the formation of integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems
• External genitalia begin as the same structures in males/females, then diverge
• The genital tubercle develops in the groin, and genital folds develop on each side of the urethral groove and labioscrotal swellings develop lateral to the folds
• Environmental factors are anything the mother is exposed to, such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, radiation, pollution, and stress
• Labor is when contractions occur to expel the fetus and takes place in 3 stages that include dilation, expulsion, and placental
• (Ovum → zygote → embryo → fetus → infant/neonate)

The Infant Stage

• Baby/neonate
• Respiratory, circulatory, and digestive changes
• Reduced blood flow through pulmonary arteries/veins causes low pressure in the left atrium, with blood moving from the right atrium through the foramen ovale to the left atrium
• Lung expansion decreases resistance to blood flow, increasing blood flow through the lungs and pulmonary arteries
• More blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle/pulmonary arteries and less from the right atrium through the foramen ovale to the left atrium
• Increased left atrial pressure and decreased right atrial pressure forces blood against the septum primum, closing the foramen ovale and separating the heart into two pumps
• Digestive Stress causes babies to lose 5-10% of body weight
• They are no longer connected to the umbilical cord and can digest lactose, while the liver is still immature
• The liver lacks enough enzymes
• Apgar assesses appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiratory effort scored 0-2 (normal is 8-10)
• Physical Development includes 3x birth weight by the 1st birthday and gaining control of body movements like lifting the head, rolling over, reaching, and grasping
• Cognitive Development includes memory, understanding, and learning language, as well as decision-making
• Social Development includes identifying and responding to social stimulation and interaction
• Emotional Development includes expression, self-comforting, and recognition of emotions
• Month 1 milestones: lifting head, turning it to the side, clenching hands, is able to grasp objects, can also follow objects in front of them
• Month 2 milestones: bobbing head forward while sitting, decreasing grasp reflex, following objects and vocalizng
• Month 3 milestones: bearing head weight while standing/sitting, raising shoulders, propping themselves up, holding objects, and recognizing faces
• Month 4 milestones: drooling, sitting with support, laughing, and can use hand-eye coordination
• Month 5 milestones: teething, putting feet in mouth, watching objects, smiling in mirror
• Month 6 milestones: chewing and biting, holding bottle, turning head
• Month 7 milestones: sitting unsupported, bouncing when assisted in standing, and responding to their name
• Month 8 milestones: bearing weight on legs and understanding "no"
• Month 9 milestones: crawling, pulling up from sitting, and responding to verbal commands
• Month 10 milestones: stomach to sitting, sitting by falling, and waving
• Month 11 milestones: walking with support and putting things in a container
• Month 12 milestones: stands alone, going from sitting to standing unassisted, and speaking
• Infants need around-the-clock feeding, diaper changes, and bathing
• Social needs include smiling, talking, eye contact, holding, family, touching, cuddling, soothing, and laughing
• Intellectual needs include seeing themselves in the mirror, singing, tickling, reading, and identifying body parts
• Infants require 430-480 calories, 9-11 grams of fiber, 30-31 grams of fat, and 4-8 ounces of sterile water when food is introduced
• First 6 months: breastmilk
• By 6-12 months: breast milk and solid food
• Iron aids brain development
• Calcium aids strong bones
• Zinc increases immune function
• Multivitamins aid vision, skin, and cell growth
• Finance includes tax breaks of around ~$2,800 per year
• Expenses include ~$11,000-$23,000 per year
• Relationships: bond forms with spouse, communication

Early Childhood

• Physical growth is slower compared to infancy
• Around 2-3 years old, primary teeth are erupted, and digestive system is mature
• Mental development advances quickly
• By age 6, children use language well and are able to read and write
• Emotional development advances rapidly
• Around 1-2 years, children develop self-awareness and recognize the impact they have on others
• Social development expands from being self-centered to being sociable
• Friends of similar age are important to them
• Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, impairs communication and interaction
• Early intervention has positive outcomes
• Needs and care include shelter, food, rest, protection, love, and security
• Children require routine, order, and consistency

Toddler stage

• Physical needs include 5-6 meals per day, help changing clothes and diapers, and assistance needed while walking
• Social needs include simple conversations and understanding taking turns
• Emotional needs include reassurance, praise, and cuddling
• Intellectual needs include practicing the alphabet, identifying noises, offering choices, asking questions, practicing numbers, and practicing colors

Preschoolers

• Ages 3-5, this stage is split into ages 3, and 4-5.
• They have a desire for independence and also enjoy being around their peers
• Curiosity, rapid development, enthusiasm, and exploration thrive
• Physical needs include potty trained, playing outside, and stretching
• Social needs include talking with peers and family
• Emotional needs include understanding, having structure, an increased attention span, and needing hugs
• Intellectual needs include creativity, storytelling, asking open-ended questions, and manipulating objects with different textures

3-Year-Olds

• Physical needs include: they grow at a steady but slow pace and begin walking with assistance up and down the stairs, playing with playdough and building blocks
• Emotional and intellectual needs an increased attention span, showing interest in realistic play (pets, raking leaves), drawing shapes, and putting shapes together to form trees, people, and objects
• They also know numbers up to 4 and can begin to identify objects
• Social needs are better understanding how to take turns in games playing and how to share toys with their toys and pets

4-5-Year-Olds

• Growing 2 inches per year, walking in a straight line, riding a tricycle walking in a straight line
• They grow emotionally by stacking blocks, and recognizing a few printed words. In addition begin to recognize the letters and showing interests in books
• Socially have the needs for counting to 20, beginning t o be aware of words that end in "test", and drawing shapes
• Finally have friendships and enjoy make believe activities

School-Age Children

• Age 6-12 years
• Involvement in school and social activities
• Three main groups include 6-7, 8-9, 10-12
• Build character and have self-concepts and are able to develop socially
• Physical need to be healthy, is by allowing them room to: excercise, independcene, and proper nutrition
• Socially they need involvement, clear boundaries and encourage others through truth and friendship
• Intellectually encourage them through electronics and reading
• By 8-9 physical activity includes; moving smoothly, jumping, skipping, dressing completely
• Emotinally are starting to make friends, and growing towards the opposite gender, and body changing
• Intellectual needs are painting, learning to read with time constrains, drawing, and naming orders

6-7-Year-Olds

• Have a physical interest in staying busy and getting eyes examined since they are as sharp as adults
• Become more cooperative and are more modest and beginning to copy adults.
• Also are more prone to throwing tantrums
• Begin to play with board games and are drawing more, and beginning to tell time.
• In regards to food 3 tsp of oils, 2 ounces of protein, and one cup each of fruit and milk are needed

8-9-Year-Olds

• Become more modest and their physical development moves smoothly
• Have a need to chase each other and use basic begining needs to do tasks.
• More aware of the gender differences and relationships grow but they do not like to admit them
• Need to draw, paint, read, and explain objects and identify and know dates
• Need to have 3oz of grains, 2 cups of milk, and 3 tsp of oil