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Questions and Answers
The chest circumference is a routinely used measurement to track infant growth.
False
The newborn's head circumference is expected to be smaller than the chest circumference until 5 months of age.
True
Between 5 months and 2 years of age, an infant's chest circumference and head circumference are significantly different in size.
False
If an infant's head circumference is larger than the chest circumference, it may indicate microcephaly.
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After 2 years of age, the head circumference exceeds the chest circumference in infants.
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Gestational age can be determined by calculating the weeks between the first day of the mother's last menstrual period and the date of birth.
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Gestational age has no impact on evaluating an infant's developmental progress.
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The Ballard Gestational Age Assessment Tool evaluates seven physical and seven neuromuscular newborn characteristics.
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Scores from the Ballard Gestational Age Assessment Tool are more accurate for preterm newborns if the assessment occurs within 24 hours of birth.
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Gestational ages from 38 to 42 weeks are considered term for newborns.
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Infants born after 41 completed weeks of gestation are considered preterm.
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In the United States, the incidence of premature births peaked in 2010 when 15% of all infants were born at gestational age less than 37 weeks.
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The rate of premature birth in the United States has been steadily increasing since 2015.
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An intrauterine growth curve can be used to determine a newborn's fetal growth pattern and size for gestational age once the gestational age is assigned.
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Infants classified as small for gestational age are at a decreased risk for morbidity and mortality.
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The Fenton Growth Chart is recommended for tracking premature growth until 40 weeks postmenstrual age.
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Large for gestational age infants are classified based on being above the 80th weight percentile.
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In 2014, 8.0% of infants were born at low birth weight.
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Small for gestational age infants who are full term rarely face any health problems.
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Infants classified as large for gestational age have a decreased risk of morbidity and mortality.
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Appropriate for gestational age infants fall between the 20th and 80th weight percentile.
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The Fenton Growth Chart is recommended for tracking postnatal growth until 50 weeks postmenstrual age.
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Small for gestational age classification is based on being below the 20th weight percentile.
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Study Notes
Measuring Circumference
- Measure the head circumference by placing the measuring tape around the largest circumference of the infant's head, across the occiput and forehead.
- Measure the chest circumference by wrapping the measuring tape around the infant's chest at the nipple line, firmly but not tight enough to cause an indentation of the skin.
- Read the chest circumference measurement midway between inspiration and expiration to the nearest 0.5 cm or 0.25 inch.
Head-to-Chest Circumference Comparison
- In newborns, the head circumference may equal or exceed the chest circumference by 2 cm (0.75 inches) until 5 months of age.
- Between 5 months and 2 years, the infant's chest circumference and head circumference are close to the same size.
- If an infant's head circumference is smaller than the chest circumference, consider evaluating the infant for microcephaly.
- After 2 years of age, the chest circumference exceeds the head circumference because the chest grows faster than the head.
Gestational Age
- Gestational age is an indicator of a newborn's maturity.
- Gestational age can be calculated by counting the number of completed weeks between the first day of the mother's last menstrual period and the date of birth.
- The Ballard Gestational Age Assessment Tool evaluates six physical and six neuromuscular newborn characteristics to establish or confirm the newborn's gestational age.
- The assessment is accurate within 2 weeks of the assigned gestational age.
- Gestational ages of 37-41 weeks are considered term and are associated with the best health outcomes.
Size for Gestational Age
- A newborn's fetal growth pattern and size for gestational age can be determined using an intrauterine growth curve.
- The Fenton Growth Chart is recommended for tracking premature growth until 50 weeks postmenstrual age.
- Infants are classified as small, appropriate, or large for gestational age by percentile curve placement for weeks of gestation.
- Small for gestational age infants have an increased risk for morbidity and mortality.
- Infants who are small or large for gestational age have an increased risk for health problems.
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Description
Test your knowledge on pediatric examination procedures for growth and nutrition based on Chapter 8. Questions may cover measuring head circumference and chest circumference in infants.
