Child Growth: Concept Analysis

Growth is a dominant biological activity during the first two decades or so of human life, including, of course nine months of prenatal life. Growth is an increase in the size of the body as a whole or the size attained by specific parts of the body. It is a fundamental characteristic of all living organisms. The integrated nature of growth and maturation is largely maintained by a constant interaction of genes, hormones, nutrients and other factors. These factors also influence physical performance. Healthy growth and development in early life have a profound effect on health across the life span. Research studies over the past decade demonstrated the link between early life events and adult chronic diseases and found that babies born at lower birth weights have an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure in later life. Infants with poor birth outcomes begin life with multiple risk factors that may prevent them from reaching their full health and development potential. For the present study 194 infants were studied for a period of two years. The results reveal that gender as such had no significant impact on the growth of children. Also, children exclusively breast fed had better weight and crown heal length(CHL) as compared to those who were on mixed feed. Literacy status of mother and socio economic status were found to play a significant role. Children belonging to families where both parents were working were healthy as compared to families where mothers were housewives.

Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, 2011

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate pediatric residents' knowledge about the milestones of growth and development in children. Materials and Methods Seventy-one pediatric residents from 3 main Children's Centers in Tehran were surveyed to evaluate their knowledge on growth and development of children. Included in the survey was based upon filling up a questionnaire containing questions about four different categories of development (motor, cognitive, speech and social interactions). The scores that the residents got from the test were summed up and were compared together. Results 71 resident participants completed the questionnaire. The distribution of residents by year was 26 post graduate year 1 (PGY1), 26 PGY2, and 23 PGY3. The knowledge of 14 (19.7%) of the participants about child's development was ranked as "Less than expected", 47 (66.2%) as "Unacceptable", 10 (14.1%) as "Acceptable" and none (0%) as "Ideal", according to the total score they got from their correct answers to the questions. Conclusions This study describes that most pediatric residents lack the acceptable knowledge on children's growth and development. It seems that their knowledge did not improve through their years of residency.

Contemporary Pediatrics, 2012

Child-our assurance for the future… A healthy society consists of healthy families and healthy children. Therefore, healthy growth of children is important for society and for families. A healthy child is defined as the one who does not show any illness syndromes, but a steady body growth, physiological maturity and cognitive development (Çetinkaya & Conk, 2009; Kavaklı, 1992; Neyzi & Koc, 1983). The term "growth" is used for defining a quantitative increase in the body or in some of its parts, whereas the "development" is used for functional changes including those which arouse from emotional and social interactions (Behrman & Kliegman, 1996; Beyazova, 1996). Growth is product of various factors, thus, a complex situation. In this complex, the answers to genetic factors, nutrition, metabolism, endocrine system, and peripheral tissue are of great significance, and required for such a sensitive coordination (Arcasoy et al, 1994; Kandemir & Yordam, 1995). Starvation and inadequate nutrition cause resistance against the growth hormone (Kandemir & Yordam, 1995). In small children, malnutrition has a dampening effect for motivation and curiosity, limiting their desire to play games and make observations. Due to the decreased level of interactions with surroundings, mental and cognitive development of children are adversely affected (Bellamy, 1998). The growth of head and brain tissues is closely associated with nutrition. This growth is accelerated particularly at the intrauterine period and within the 4-5 years after delivery. At the age of 5, the brain tissiues are grown up to the 90-95% of an adult person's brain tissue. This period is important for the development of brain, intelligence, and mental state. The remaining 5-10% of development is achieved by the ages of 18-20 (Bertan & Guler, 1995). For healthy and desired growth energy is required (Kandemir & Yordam, 1995). Hypothyroidism and hypopituitarism are of the most notable examples. Monitoring child's growth is essential for bringing up healthy generations. To this end, regular checkups of infants and their measure analysis should be made carefully, while problematic situations that might arise from environmental factors should be resolved (Arcasoy et al, 1994).

Public Health Nutrition, 2023

Objectives: Prenatal growth affects short-and long-term morbidity, mortality and growth, yet communication between prenatal and postnatal healthcare teams is often minimal. This paper aims to develop an integrated, interdisciplinary framework for foetal/infant growth assessment, contributing to the continuity of care across the first 1000 d of life. Design: A multidisciplinary think-tank met regularly over many months to share and debate their practice and research experience related to foetal/infant growth assessment. Participants' personal practice and knowledge were verified against and supplemented by published research. Setting: Online and in-person brainstorming sessions of growth assessment practices that are feasible and valuable in resource-limited, low-and middleincome country (LMIC) settings. Participants: A group of obstetricians, paediatricians, dietitians/nutritionists and a statistician. Results: Numerous measurements, indices and indicators were identified for growth assessment in the first 1000 d. Relationships between foetal, neonatal and infant measurements were elucidated and integrated into an interdisciplinary framework. Practices relevant to LMIC were then highlighted: antenatal Doppler screening, comprehensive and accurate birth anthropometry (including proportionality of weight, length and head circumference), placenta weighing and incorporation of length-forage , weight-for-length and mid-upper arm circumference in routine growth monitoring. The need for appropriate, standardised clinical records and corresponding policies to guide clinical practice and facilitate interdisciplinary communication over time became apparent. Conclusions: Clearer communication between prenatal, perinatal and postnatal health care providers, within the framework of a common understanding of growth assessment and a supportive policy environment, is a prerequisite to continuity of care and optimal health and development outcomes. Keywords First 1000 d Growth monitoring Foetal growth restriction Doppler Infant growth Interdisciplinary care Continuity of care Growth assessment in the first 1000 d of life is a shared interest of all health professionals involved in the care of pregnant women, infants and children. Primary care providers, nurses, midwives, obstetricians, paediatricians and dietitians/nutrition professionals all share a common goal to support the foetus/infant to achieve its genetic potential for growth and development (1,2) .

1998

This document reports on development of a comprehensive system for measuring the ongoing development of children with disabilities from birth to age 8. A multi-step process was used to identify a set of general growth outcomes for children in this age range and to begin formulating individualized indicators of growth and development, as well as additional assessment tools. A set of 15 outcomes was identified spanning the scope of developmental competencies usually associated with early childhood education; i.e., communication, motor, social, adaptive, and cognitive domains. Validation of these outcomes was established through a national survey of parents of children with and without disabilities, and professionals in early childhood and early elementary education. The final set of general growth outcomes is organized around the following goals: (1) the child uses language to convey and comprehend communication and social intent; (2) the child takes responsibility for his/her behavior, health, and well-being, even in the face of challenge or adversity; (3) the child negotiates and manipulates the environment; (4) the child initiates, responds to, and maintains positive social relationships; and (5) the child uses cognitive skills to explore the environment, reason, and solve problems. (Contains 17 references.) (DB)

Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem, 2015

This study aimed to describe the growth during the introduction of complementary feeding to infants assisted in the nursing appointment in childcare. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study developed through research in 51 medical records of children aged 4-8 months, from September to October 2012 in a university hospital in the city of Recife, PE. Data were analyzed using Epi Info software, version 6.04 and described in simple and relative frequencies. It was found that for 33% of the children. complementary foods were introduced at six months. Of these, 88.2%, 69.2% and 57.1% showed ascending weight-for-age growth curves, and 88.2%, 66.7% and 71.4% ascending length-for-age growth curves at six, seven and eight months respectively. Children with appropriate and timely introduction of complementary feeding showed upward growth curves and adequate nutritional status.

2001

Growth references for children are among the most widely used instruments in public health and clinical medicine. A comprehensive review by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the use and interpretation of anthropometric data concluded that the present international growth reference for infants does not describe physiologic growth adequately; thus, a new anthropometric reference was recommended for young children from birth to 5 y. The approach taken by the WHO for development of a new reference is guided by the principle that anthropometric reference data must always reflect the functional context of their intended uses and an awareness of the consequences of their application. The new reference will be constructed from data to be collected in a longitudinal study of infants who will be exclusively or predominantly breast-fed for >/=4 mo with continued breast-feeding throughout the first year, and a cross-sectional study of infants and young children aged 18-71 mo. The sample...

Hormone Research in Paediatrics, 2000

Growth velocity is higher in late intra-uterine and early post-natal life than at any time thereafter, and accurate measurements are essential for appropriate monitoring. The accuracy with which such measurements are made and recorded is frequently questionable, however, and short-and medium-term changes in growth may be difficult to interpret in the light of normal variations in the pattern of growth. Infants who are small at birth must be accurately classified because intra-uterine growth retardation and small for gestational age have different implications for both causation and outcome. Prediction of expected growth on the basis of mid-parental height is essential but frequently omitted. Post-natal growth impairment is common in pre-term infants and is often rapid in onset. Poor growth may continue for many months, and catch-up may be incomplete. Early growth failure may have a significant influence on subsequent morbidity and mortality.

Pediatrics, 2006

BACKGROUND. Knowledge of long-term growth of extremely preterm infants in relation to gestational age is incomplete, and there are concerns regarding their poor growth in early childhood. As part of a longitudinal study of a national cohort of infants born at Ͻ26 weeks' gestation (extremely immature), growth development from birth to the age of 11 years was examined, and correlates of growth attainment were analyzed.

Ciencia & saude coletiva, 2017

This study aimed to investigate some factors that contributed to higher or lower growth rate of children up to the sixth month of life. This is a cohort study with 240 children evaluated in four stages. Variables of birth, eating habits of the child, mothers' breast-feeding difficulty and pacifier use were investigated. Children's weight gain rate (grams/day) and size gain (cm/month) were measured in all assessments and compared according to the variables of interest. In the first month, weight gain rate of children born by cesarean section was smaller. By the second month, the growth rate (weight and size gain) was higher among children who were exclusively or predominantly breastfed and lower among those who consumed infant formula. Children of mothers who reported difficulty to breastfeed showed a lower growth rate until the second month. Children age four months who consumed porridge had lower weight and size gain rate. Pacifier use was associated with lower weight gain ...