Pediatric Occupational Therapy and Prenatal Development Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering neonatal conditions, primitive reflexes, developmental milestones, play, early intervention, and school-based occupational therapy.

Preterm Birth

An infant born prior to $37 \text{ weeks}$ of gestation.

Post-term Birth

An infant born after $42 \text{ weeks}$ of gestation.

Neural Tube

The origin of the brain and spinal cord that typically closes by the $28\text{th day}$ after conception.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

A condition caused by significant and prolonged exposure to alcohol in utero, resulting in neurodevelopmental difficulties like delayed fine motor skills and poor inhibition.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

A group of conditions occurring when an infant is exposed to opioids or other drugs in utero, leading to withdrawal symptoms like irritability, tremors, and hypertonicity.

Spina Bifida Occulta

The mildest form of spina bifida that is usually asymptomatic and may only be visible as a small dimple on the lower back.

Meningocele

A type of spina bifida that typically impacts the functioning of the bowel and bladder.

Myelomeningocele

The most severe form of spina bifida where the spinal canal remains open and the spinal cord or nerves protrude in a sac on the back.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

An umbrella term for brain injuries resulting from reduced or stopped oxygen or blood flow to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

A group of motor problems beginning early in life, categorized by types such as Spastic, Dyskinetic, Athetoid, and Ataxia.

Hypertonicity

Increased muscle tone, a characteristic often associated with the Spastic type of Cerebral Palsy.

Erb’s Palsy

A nerve condition in the shoulder and arm causing weakness or loss of muscle function, often due to shoulder dystocia during birth.

Neurapraxia

The most common and mildest type of Erb’s palsy where the nerve is stretched but not torn.

Avulsion

The most serious type of Erb’s palsy where the nerve is ripped away from the spine, requiring surgery.

APGAR Scoring

A quick observational screen for newborns completed at $1 \text{ minute}$ and $5 \text{ minutes}$ after birth, assessing Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.

Adjusted Age

The metric used for infants born more than $3 \text{ weeks}$ premature, calculated by subtracting the weeks born early from the chronological age.

Maternal Mental Health (MMH)

A state of well-being where a mother realizes her abilities, can cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and contribute to her community.

Baby Blues

Symptoms of sadness and mood swings experienced by up to $80\%$ of women after birth, which are not considered a disorder if they resolve within a few days.

Postpartum Psychosis

A rare medical emergency occurring in $0.1\%$ to $0.2\%$ of births, characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms and high risk of harm.

Primitive Reflexes

Involuntary movements originating in the Central Nervous System that are typically integrated or become non-obligatory by the age of $6 \text{ months}$.

Rooting Reflex

A feeding preparation reflex present from birth to $3 \text{ months}$ where the infant turns their head toward a stimulus brushing their cheek.

Moro Reflex

Also known as the startle reflex; the infant extends then flexes the arms and hands when the head is placed in $30 \text{ degrees}$ of extension.

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

Known as 'fencing' posture, where turning the head to one side causes the arm and leg on that side to extend while the opposite side flexes.

Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

A reflex that facilitates crawling by causing arms to flex and legs to extend during neck flexion, or arms to extend and legs to flex during neck extension.

Spinal Galant Reflex

A reflex that helps the baby wriggle through the birth canal, characterized by lateral spine flexion toward a stimulus applied to the side of the spine.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

A reflex where neck flexion in the prone position leads to body flexion, and neck extension in the supine position leads to body extension.

Landau Reflex

A postural reflex emerging at $3-4 \text{ months}$ where the baby extends arms and legs against gravity when held prone in the air.

Plagiocephaly

A cranial condition characterized by an asymmetrical, flattened shape on one side of the skull.

Hydrocephalus

The abnormal accumulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain, creating increased intracranial pressure.

Torticollis

Tightness on one side of the neck demonstrated by a head tilt toward the affected side and upward rotation toward the opposite side.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

A condition where a baby is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Bronchiopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

A chronic lung disease following Respiratory Distress Syndrome, characterized by scarring and inflammation of lung tissue due to prolonged ventilator use.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

A visual impairment where retinal blood vessels develop too rapidly and extend into the vitreous of the eye, often linked to high oxygen levels.

Exploratory and Sensorimotor Play

A stage of play for infants and children aged $3-5 \text{ years}$ focused on exploring object properties and controlling body movements.

Symbolic and Imaginative Play

Play behaviors where children mimic real-world examples using abstract objects regardless of their intended function, such as using a bathtub as a pool.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C

The federal law mandating statewide Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers from birth to $3 \text{ years}$ ($B-3$).

Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)

A dynamic working plan for Early Intervention that identifies the child's performance levels, family context, outcomes, and specific services.

Battelle Developmental Inventory-3 (BDI-3)

A standardized assessment used in Early Intervention to evaluate Adaptive, Personal-Social, Communication, Motor, and Cognitive domains.

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

An intervention involving the restraint of an unaffected limb to encourage the use and development of an affected limb.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)

A hearing screening method that measures low-intensity sounds reflected back as an echo from the cochlea.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

A condition where the physical organs of the ear function correctly, but the brain has difficulty understanding and processing sound.

Receptive Language

The ability to understand words and information that are heard or received from others.

Expressive Language

The process by which a child converts their thoughts into words and structured sentences to communicate.

Pragmatic Language

The social use of language, including rules for conversation such as turn-taking and staying on topic.

Aided AAC

Augmentative and alternative communication systems that require an external device, such as communication boards or speech-generating devices.

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

An IDEA principle ensuring education is provided at public expense, under public supervision, and meets State standards.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

The mandate that children with disabilities must be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

A written statement for a child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised annually within the school system.

Cylindrical Grasp

A handwriting grasp development stage typically achieved between $1 \text{--} 1.5 \text{ years}$.

Community Mobility

Defined by AOTA as moving around in the community using public or private transportation like driving, walking, or busing.