Pediatrics Growth and Development Overview Quiz

Introduction to Pediatrics

• Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the care of newborns, infants, children, and adolescents, up to 21 years old (according to AAP) and up to 18 years old and 364 days in the Philippines.
• Pediatric care not only specializes in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children but also ensures that growth and development are being monitored and proceeding on track.

Growth and Development

• Growth refers to an increase in physical size of the whole or any of its parts, which is quantitative and measured in terms such as cm, in, kg, lb.
• Development is a broader concept that encompasses not only physical growth but also cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Factors Affecting Growth and Development

• Multiple factors affect growth and development, including genetic and environmental factors.

Assessing Growth

• Growth charts are the most powerful tool in assessing growth, and sequential measurements over a period of time are a better gauge of a child's growth than a single measurement.
• The Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) recommends the WHO growth standard charts as reference standards for weight, height, and head circumference from birth to 19 years of age.

Developmental Domains

• Physical Development: gross and fine motor skills
• Language Development: receptive and expressive language
• Cognitive Development: problem-solving, thinking, and learning
• Social/Emotional Development: relationships, emotional regulation, and empathy

Developmental Milestones

• Newborn to 2-6 months: physical development, behavioral states, language development, cognitive development, emotional development
• 6-12 months: physical development, cognitive development, emotional development, language development
• The Second Year: physical development, cognitive development, emotional development, language development
• 2-5 years: physical development, cognitive development, socio-emotional development
• Middle Childhood: physical development, cognitive development, language development, socio-emotional development
• Adolescence: cognitive and moral development, self-concept development, family development, peer development, sexual development

Red Flags and Developmental Surveillance

• Red flags indicate potential developmental delays or disorders, including gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, and psychosocial red flags.
• Developmental surveillance is a continuous process of monitoring a child's growth and development to identify any potential delays or disorders.
• Developmental screening is a brief assessment to identify children who may need further evaluation.