Growth and Development Factors Quiz

Growth and Development

• Growth refers to an increase in the size of the body as a whole or its individual parts.
• Development means the maturation of systems and organs, as well as the achievement of skills and abilities, including motor, mental, emotional, and social abilities.

Factors Affecting Growth and Development

• Genetic factors play a role in growth and development.
• Nutritional factors, including decreased proteins, minerals, or vitamins, can cause retarded growth and development.
• Debilitating diseases, such as chronic diarrhea, parasitic infestation, and tuberculosis, can interfere with adequate nutrition.
• Overnutrition can lead to obesity.
• Socio-economic factors, such as poverty, can impact growth and development.
• Chronic diseases, such as chronic asthma, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis, can cause retarded growth if they start early in life.
• Endocrinal disorders, such as hypothyroidism, can affect growth and development.
• Intrauterine infections, such as congenital rubella, can impact growth and development.
• Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as lead and mercury, can hinder growth and development.
• Emotional deprivation can lead to impaired growth and development.

Growth Chart

• A growth chart is used to measure and compare a child's growth with what is considered normal for their age and gender.
• Measurements are compared with the standard (normal) range for children of the same gender and age.
• Growth chart measurements can provide an early warning that a child has a medical problem.
• Abnormal growth of the head during early infancy can indicate a problem, such as hydrocephalus, a brain tumor, or other conditions that cause macrocephaly.
• Slow growth can indicate problems in brain development, early fusion of sutures, or other problems.
• Insufficient gain in weight, height, or a combination may indicate failure-to-thrive, chronic illness, neglect, or other problems.

Failure-to-Thrive

• Failure-to-thrive is defined as weight less than the third to fifth percentile for age on more than one occasion or weight measurements that fall 2 major percentile lines using the standard growth charts.

Test your knowledge on growth, development, and factors affecting them. Learn about genetic factors, nutritional influences, debilitating diseases, and their impact on maturation and achievement of skills.