NCM 107 CARE OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENTS (LECTURE)
MIDTERMS INFANCY
Hannah Adan 1
INFANCY
• INFANT (BIRTH TO 12 MONTHS)
• TODDLER (2 TO 3 YEARS OLD)
• PRESCHOOLER (3 TO 5 YEARS OLD)
• SCHOOL AGE (9 TO 11 YEARS OLD)
• ADOLESCENCE (12 TO 18 YEARS OLD)
PHYSICAL TASKS
NEONATE (BIRTH – 1MONTH)
> WEIGHT
o 6-8 lb (2750-3629);
o gains 5-7 oz (142-198 g) weekly for first 3 months
> LENGTH
o 20 inches (50 cm); grows 1 inch (2.5 cm) monthly
for the first 6 months
> HEAD GROWTH
o Head circumference 33-35.5 cm (13-14 inches)
o Head circumference slightly larger than chest
o Increases by ½ inch (1.25 cm) monthly for first 6
months
o Brain growth related to myelinization of nerve
fibers; increase in size of brain reflects this
process, reaches 2/3 adult size at 1 year; 90%
adult size at 2 years
o Weak neck muscles result in poor head control
> VITAL SIGNS
o Pulse: 110-160 and irregular; count for a full
minute apically
o Respirations: 32-60 an irregular; count for full
minute; neonates are abdominal breathers and
obligate nose breathers
o Blood pressure 75/49 mmHg
o Poor development of sweating and shivering
mechanisms; impaired temperature control
> MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
o Behavior is reflex controlled
o Flexed extremities
o Can lift head slightly from bed when prone
> SENSORY DEVELOPMENT
o Hearing and touch are well developed at birth
o Sight not fully developed until 6 years
o Differentiates light and dark at birth
o Rapidly develops clarity of vision within 1 foot
o Fixates on moving objects
o Strabismus due to lack of binocular vision
1-4 MONTHS
> HEAD GROWTH
o Posterior fontanel closes
> MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
o Reflexes begin to fade (e.g. Moro, tonic neck)
o Gains head control; balances head in sitting
position
o Rolls from back to side
o Begins voluntary hand-to-mouth activity
> SENSORY DEVELOPMENT
o Begins to be able to coordinate stimuli from
various sense organs
o Hearing: locates sounds by turning head and
visually searching
o Vision
▪ Binocular vision developing; less
strabismus
▪ Beginning hand-eye coordination
▪ Prefers human face
▪ Follows objects 180 °
▪ Ability to accommodate is equal to adult
5-6 MONTHS
> WEIGHT
o birth weight doubles; gains 3-5 oz (84-140 g)
weekly for the next 6 months
> ERUPTION OF LOWER TEETH BEGINS
o Lower incisors first
o Causes increased saliva and drooling
o Enzyme released with teething causes mild
diarrhea, facial skin irritation
o Slight fever might be associated with teething,
but not high fever or seizures
> MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
o Intentional rolling over
o Supports weight on arms
o Creeping; pushes backwards with hands
o Can grasp and let go voluntarily
o Transfers toys from one hand to another
o Sits with support
