Infancy is a period of rapid growth. The development during infancy is
rapid than any other period in the life time of an individual.
GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT
The average birth weight of a newborn is 2.5 kg.
The growth and development is accompanied by a number of physiological
changes which include
1. Change in body size
A healthy normal infant doubles its birth weight by six months and
triples the birth weight by the end of one year. Similarly there is increase in
body length of the infant from 50-55 cm at birth to about 75 cm during the
first year. With increase in body length the body proportion also changes. By
the time the child is two years old the head circumference achieves nearly
2/3rd of its final size and there is an increase in chest circumference.
2. Change in body composition
Weight gain comprises of growth in muscles, organ tissue, skeletal
tissue and skeletal structure. At birth the infant has water content as high as
75 percent in its body,12-15 percent fat and poorly developed muscles. By the
end of one year the water content decreases to 60 percent and fat content
increases to 24 percent and there is a corresponding decrease in lean body
mass. Mineralization of skeletal system takes place and continues during
childhood and later during adolosence.
3. Changes in gastro intestinal system
A full term infant is able to digest simple
proteins, emulsified fat and simple carbohydrates. During the first few months
gastric acidity and salivary secretion is low. As the child grows the
digestibility improves and by the end of first year the child is able to digest
all types of food.
4. Changes in excretory system
Kidneys reach their full functioning capacity by
the end of first year. During early months the glomerular filtration rate is
low and hence excretion of high concentration of solutes is difficult.
5. Mental development
There is a rapid increase in the number of brain cells in the first 5-6
months after birth. Thereafter the rate of cell division declines though it
continues till the second year.
6. Changes in circulatory system
The infants have a rapid heart rate of 120-140 per minute. At birth the
level of haemoglobin is 18-22 g/100ml which provides sufficient reserve for
expansion of blood volume and adequate oxygen carrying capacity to the growing
tissues during the first 4-6 months.
7. Feeding behaviour
Maturation of nervous system especially that
which controls muscular co-ordination brings about the change in feeding
behaviour.
At birth
the baby is able to co ordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing. Although the
eyes cannot focus, the baby is able to find its nourishment by rooting reflex.
Till about three months the baby sucks by the up and down movement of the
tongue which pushes out solid food if placed (extrusion reflex). By 3-4 months
the tongue movements change and the child is able to swallow and by 6 months
chewing movements also develop.
Growth monitoring
Though the above mentioned growth and developmental changes are
significant, satisfactory growth in an infant can be accurately assessed by
growth monitoring.
'Growth monitoring is a regular measurement of growth which enables to
visualize growth, or lack of it and obtain specific, relevant and practical
guidance to ensure continued regular growth and health of children.'
Though growth monitoring can be done in a number of ways the best way to
do is by using a 'Growth chart'.
Immunization:
Malnutrition during infancy leads to higher incidence of infant
mortality. Besides malnutrition there are certain other factors which compound
with it causing mortality. Infectious diseases are one of them and hence it is
important to protect the children against these disease through immunization.
Immunization
is given at different ages during the first year of life which give life long
immunity to the child against six dreadful diseases namely tuberculosis, polio,
diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus and measles. So immunization is important not
only for nutritionally deprived but for all children. List presents the immunization schedule.
Immunization Schedule
Age Vaccine
Soon
after birth Hepatitus B 1st dose, OPV 1st
dose, BCH
6 weeks :
Hepatitis B 2nd dose DPT 1st dose OPV 2nd dose
10 weeks: DPT 2nd dose OPV 2nd dose
14 weeks: DPT 3rd dose OPV 4th dose
6 months: OPV 5th dose Hepatitis B 3rd
dose
9 months: Measles
15 to 18 months : MMR
18 months: DPT, OPV 1st Booster
2 years: Typhoid vaccine
5 years: DPT,
OPV 2nd Booster
Source
:
Primary Health Centre
Related Topics
Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant
Copyright © 2018-2026 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.