Infant Development and Newborn Classification

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Questions and Answers

What is the maximum age included in the infant period?

1 year

2 years (correct)

3 years

18 months

Which age range defines the Infant Minor subperiod?

Newborn to 6 months

6 months to 18 months

28 days to 12 months (correct)

1 year to 18 months

How many subperiods is the infant period divided into?

Two (correct)

Three

Four

One

When does the Infant Major subperiod begin?

At 12 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the lower age limit for the infant period?

Birth Signup and view all the answers

What is the birth weight range for a newborn classified as appropriate for gestational age (AGA)?

Between 2,500 and 4,000 grams Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of their initial weight can newborns lose in the first few days after birth?

Up to 10% Signup and view all the answers

Which classification indicates a newborn born before 37 weeks of gestation?

Premature Signup and view all the answers

At what age do newborns typically weigh roughly twice as much as their birth weight?

By six months Signup and view all the answers

How are newborns classified if their birth weight is under 2,500 grams?

Low birth weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range for a full-term newborn's head circumference?

33 to 35.5 cm Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is specifically used to measure head circumference?

Craniometer Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the thoracic circumference typically become larger than the head circumference?

Around age two Signup and view all the answers

What is the abdominal circumference typically measured at for a newborn?

34 cm Signup and view all the answers

If a newborn's head circumference measures 32 cm, what should the chest circumference be to remain within the 2-3 cm difference guideline?

33 cm Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal pulse rate range for a newborn?

120-160 beats per minute Signup and view all the answers

What substance usually covers a newborn's skin at birth?

Vernix caseosa Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflexes is typically present at birth?

Sucking reflex Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical breathing rate for a newborn?

40-60 breaths per minute Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the umbilical cord typically detach from a newborn?

7th day Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal respiratory rate for a newborn?

30 to 50 breaths per minute Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is NOT recommended for maintaining warmth in a newborn?

Expose the baby to drafts Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that a newborn may have a bacterial infection of the birth canal?

Fever Signup and view all the answers

During which sleep stage is a newborn typically responsive to environmental stimuli?

Alert inactivity Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected heart rate range for a stable newborn after birth?

120 to 140 beats per minute Signup and view all the answers

What is the appropriate water temperature for hygiene after a newborn is born?

34-37 degrees Celsius Signup and view all the answers

What color does meconium, the first stool of a newborn, typically appear?

Dark greenish black Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Apgar test conducted on newborns?

To evaluate the newborn's adaptation to extrauterine life Signup and view all the answers

How is urine production measured in newborns?

Through a double weighing system for the diaper Signup and view all the answers

What type of blood test is performed for early detection of conditions like phenylketonuria?

Heel prick blood sample Signup and view all the answers

What defines a 'premature extreme' birth?

24-30 weeks gestation Signup and view all the answers

Which maternal factor is NOT associated with premature birth?

Endometriosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight threshold for classifying a premature infant?

Less than 2500 g Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a social factor that could lead to premature birth?

Malnutrition Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cases has an unknown cause for premature birth?

One-third of cases Signup and view all the answers

Which reflex causes a baby to grip an object placed in its palm?

Reflex of Succion Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the Babinski reflex typically disappear?

12 months Signup and view all the answers

What reaction occurs in the rooting reflex when a baby's cheek is stimulated?

The baby turns its head toward the stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight threshold for a baby to be classified as very low birth weight (VLBW)?

Less than 1000 grams Signup and view all the answers

Which reflex causes a baby's body to curve towards the stimulated side of its spine?

Galant Reflex Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infant Period

The Infant Period is defined as from birth to two years old
Divided into two subperiods:
- Infant Minor: 28 days to 12 months
- Infant Major: 12 months to 24 months

Newborn Size and Gestational Age

Full-term newborn weight range: 2,500 to 4,000 grams
Influenced by factors like parent's age, race, and mother's habits
Newborns can be classified by size and gestational age:
- Appropriate for gestational age (AGA): Birth weight between the 10th and 90th percentile
- Small for gestational age (SGA): Delayed intrauterine growth
- Large for gestational age (LGA): Higher birth weight than expected for their gestational age
- Low birth weight (LBW): Birth weight under 2,500 grams, regardless of gestational age
- Premature/Preterm: Born before 37 weeks of gestation
- Term: Born between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation
- Postmature/Postterm: Born after 42 weeks of gestation

Newborn Physical Characteristics

Newborns can lose up to 10% of their initial weight in the first few days
By six months, newborns typically weigh twice as much as they did at birth
By a year, they often triple their birth weight
Head: Round and firm
Limbs: Closely observed, including their length

Other Newborn Parameters

Average newborn length: 48 to 53 cm
Head Circumference: 33 to 35.5 cm
Chest Circumference: 30 to 34 cm
Abdominal Circumference: 34 cm
The thoracic circumference is usually smaller than head circumference until age two
Little difference (2-3 cm or less) should exist between head and chest circumference

Newborn Assessment

Skin: Initially bright red, edematous, and smooth with vernix caseosa, which disappears within a few days. The skin color shifts to pinkish-red and becomes scaly and dry.
Mouth: Pinkish, sucking reflex present, frenulum of the upper lip and tongue present, possible oral or palatal cysts.
Other: Umbilical cord detaches around the 7th day.

Newborn Vital Signs

Temperature: Dry the baby's skin and keep them warm. Prevent exposure to cold.
Pulse: Normal rates: 120-160 beats per minute.
Respiration: Normal rates: 50 breaths per minute, with occasional pauses (apnea).
Body Position: Flexion of head and extremities, indicating normal development.
Color: Initially red, then rose, potentially slightly yellow (jaundice). Jaundice is a normal physiological process, but prolonged or severe jaundice is abnormal.

Newborn Reflexes

Sucking reflex: Helps ensure baby's survival.
Grasping reflex: When a finger or object is placed on the baby's palm, it will grip.
You can lift a baby in the air with it.
Rooting reflex: Turns head towards cheek stimulation.
Moro reflex: Startle reflex, arms extend and then retract.
Babinski reflex: When the lateral side of the foot is touched, the big toe extends and other toes spread apart. (Disappears after 12 months).

Neonatal Assessment - Key Findings

Temperature stabilizes around 36.5°C
Maintaining a warm environment is crucial to prevent heat loss

Methods for Maintaining Warmth

Dry the baby's skin and hair as soon as possible.
Place the baby in a warm environment.
Avoid placing the baby near cold objects.
Place the baby on a warm surface.
Avoid exposing the baby to drafts.
Fever may indicate a bacterial infection of the birth canal (puerperal sepsis).

Newborn Sleep

Five Distinct Sleep Stages:
- Regular Sleep: Eyes closed, regular breathing, no movement
- Irregular Sleep: Eyes closed, irregular breathing, intermittent muscle contractions
- Drowsiness: Preceding regular and irregular sleep, eyes may be open, irregular breathing, high activity levels.
- Alert Inactivity: Responsive to environmental stimuli.
- Wakefulness and Crying: Responding to internal stimuli (hunger, pain, cold).
During sleep, the baby may adopt a side-lying or supine position with the head tilted.

Newborn Respiration

Abnormal:
- Irregular and abdominal in nature
- Rate ranges from 30 to 50 breaths per minute
- Apnea episodes lasting less than 15 seconds are normal
- Initial breaths are forceful, promoting subsequent, easier, and regular breathing
- Respiratory rate gradually decreases to around 25 per minute within the first year.

Newborn Pulse

Fluctuates following birth
Once stable, stays between 120-140 beats per minute
Gradually decreases over time

Newborn Initial Care and First Aid

Hygiene is performed with water at 34-37 degrees Celsius.
Footprint identification and a bracelet with the mother's information are placed on the ankle.

Identifying Bracelet (Apgar Test)

The Apgar test is performed to assess a newborn's adaptation to extrauterine life.
Heel pricking for blood sample collection tests for phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, hemoglobinopathies, etc.
The laboratory notifies in case of a positive result.

Newborn Excretory Function

Waste: Undigested food residues are major part of stool composition.
Meconium: First stools are dark greenish-black, sticky, and thick. These disappear after breastfeeding begins.
Normal Stools: Yellowish, soft, and smooth. Appear once or twice a day.
Urine: Initially scarce and concentrated due to a lack of fluid intake.
Increased frequency and amount of urine after nursing becomes regular (15-20 times per day).
Urine will be clear.
A double weighing diaper system is used to measure urine production

Infant Reflexes

Rooting or Searching Reflex: Turns head towards cheek stimulation.
Sucking Reflex: Helps ensure baby's survival.
Stepping Reflex: With assistance, baby can take steps like a walking motion.
Galant Reflex: When the spine is stimulated in the lower area, the baby's body curves towards that side.

Low Birth Weight Infants

Babies born before their 37th week of pregnancy are premature babies.
Low birth weight (LBW) babies weigh less than 1500 grams.
Very low birth weight (VLBW) babies weigh less than 1000 grams.

Premature Birth

Premature Limit: 35-37 weeks gestation, usually without complications.
Premature Moderate: 31-35 weeks gestation, low mortality rate.
Premature Extreme: 24-30 weeks gestation, limited viability.

Causes of Premature Birth:

Maternal Factors

Hepatopathy
Endocrinopathy
Cardiopathy
Hemopathy
Nephropathy
Severe infections

Obstetric and Gynecological Factors

Uterine fibroids
Endometritis
Cervical issues
Toxemia
Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid)
Placental abruption
Previous history of premature birth
Maternal age (40)

Strenuous physical labor
Drug abuse
Smoking
Single parenthood
Malnutrition
Physical or psychological trauma
Intoxication

Fetal Factors

Chromosomal abnormalities
Multiple births (twins, triplets)
Premature babies
Congenital anomalies

Iatrogenic Factors

Induced labor
Elective Cesarean section

Unknown Causes

In one-third of cases, the cause remains unknown.

Premature Infants: Clinical Characteristics

Weight: less than 2500 g
Height: less than 47 cm
Head Circumference: less than 34 cm

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Description

Explore the stages of the Infant Period from birth to two years and the classification of newborns based on size and gestational age. Understand key concepts such as appropriate, small, and large for gestational age along with birth weight categories. This quiz serves as an insightful tool for learning about early childhood development.