Growth and Development
affected by genetic, environmental and prenatal factors.
WHAT IS A CHILD?
Below age of majority or below 18 years
“a human being below the age of 18”-United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
GROWTH
Increase in size and mass
Either by multiplication or by enlargement of component cells
Quantitave/Measurable
DEVELOPMENT
Maturation or differentiation
Qualitative changes
Includes growth
PATTERN OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Cephaloocaudal- Cephal (Brain) Caudal (Tail)
Development from upper part of head to lower parts of body
Brain regulation such as breathing
Head develops more rapidly than the rest of the body during embryonic stage
Direction of growth and development
Child gains control the head first, then the arms then the legs.
PROXIMODISTAL
From center to midline to periphery direction.
From the central axis to the extremities of the body
Spinal cord develops before outer parts of the body
Fingers and toe muscles are the last to develop
MASS TO SPECIFIC
Movement involves the whole body at first
Gross motor skills come first before fine motor skills
HOW LIFE STARTS
FERTILIZATION
Conception, impregnation
Fecundation (union of the egg cell and sperm cell)
Accomplished through sexual intercourse and artificial insemination
Outer third of the fallopian tube (ampulla)
EGG CELL
released only once a month
capable of fertilization for only 24 hours (48 hours at the most)
surrounded by a ring of polysaccharide fluid (zona pellucida) and a circle of cells (corona
radiata)
SPERM CELL
functional for only 48-72 hours
an ejaculation of semen averages 2.5mL of fluid (50-200 million spermatozoa/ml or 400
million sperm per ejaculation
reaches the cervix within 80 seconds; outer third of fallopian tube within 5 minutes
releases hyaluronidase (proteolytic enzyme) that dissolves the layer of cells protecting the
ovum
ZYGOTE
the fertilized egg contains 46 chromosomes
➢ XX (female child)
➢ XY (male child)
IMPLANTATION
process by which the ovum or fertilized egg is embedded in th uterine wall
occurs approx. 8-10 days after fertilization
zygote is now an embryo
AMNIOTIC MEMBRANES
Chorionic membrane
outermost fetal membrane
offers support to the sac
containing the amniotic fluid
Amniotic membrane
amnion
second membrane
Amniotic Fluid
normal ranges from 800-1200 ml at term slightly alkaline (pH 7.2)
Functions:
Shields against pressure or external blows
Protects from changes in temperature
Aids in muscular development
Allows fetus freedom to move
Protects umbilical cord from pressure, protecting the fetal oxygen supply
PLACENTA
Pancake
serves as fetal lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract and as a separate endocrine
organ throughout pregnancy
supplies oxygen, glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and water
about 400-600g (1 lb) at term
UMBILICAL CORD
formed from the fetal membrane (amnion and chorion)
made of gelatinous mucopolysaccharide called Wharton's jelly (prevents pressure to
the vein and arteries
contains one vein and two arteries transports oxygen and nutrients to the fetus from
the placenta and to return waste products from the fetus to the placenta
GROWTH PERIOD
Ovum: 0 - 14 days
Embryo: 14 days - 9 weeks
Fetus: 9 weeks - birth
Premature infant: 27 - 37 weeks
Birth: Average of 280 days
Full term infant: 38 – 42 weeks
GENES
genotype refers to all of the genes that a person has inherited
phenotype can include physical traits, such as height and color or the eyes, as well as
non physical traits such as shyness and extroversion.
GENETIC ABNORMALITIES
number of chromosomes may divide unevenly, causing the organism to have more or
less than the normal 23 chromosomes.
When one of these abnormal cells joins with a normal cell, the resulting zygote will
have an uneven number of chromosomes.
KLINEFELTER'S SYNDROME
is caused by an extra X chromosome and is characterized by a lack of
development of the secondary sex characteristics and as well as
learning disabilities
TURNER’S SYNDROME
Named for Henry Turner, 1938
one of these chromosomes is absent or abnormal
It affects only females and can result in short
stature, a "webbed" neck and a lack of
secondary sex characteristics.
DOWN SYNDROME
trisomy 21
the child has three chromosomes at the site of
the 21st
chromosomes instead of the normal two
round face, slanted eyes and a thick tongue
single transverse palmar crease (STPC)
heart defects and hearing problems
intellectual impairment
