Physical Growth & Maturation

Exam 1

2 phases of prenatal development

embryonic (concep-8 wks) and fetal (8 wks-birth) growth

When does the head become recognizable in the embryo?

3 wks

When do the limbs and heartbeat form in the embryo?

4 wks

When do the eyes/ear/digits/nose/mouth form and bone ossification begin in the embryo?

8 wks

What does fetal growth entail?

hyperplasia/hypertrophy w/ cephalocaudal/proximodistal development and some cells have plasticity (take on new fxn)

When is sex externally recognized and the brain almost complete in the fetus?

12 wks

When is there an increase in motor activity, heart muscle/sense organs development in the fetus?

16 wks

When does spinal cord myelination occur in the fetus?

20 wks

When does the fetus develop respiratory-like movements?

24 wks

When does weight increase rather than length in the fetus?

32 wks

What fetal environment especially affects growth?

malnourishment/poor maternal health

What does a low birth weight in risk of?

infection/disease/death

When in short supply, what does the mom and fetus compete for?

O2/nutrients

Examples of genetic causes of abnormal development

dominant/recessive d/o or gene mutation

Genetic causes may appear…

immed or later on

What are external causes of abnormal development?

tertagens/harmful environ

Define teratogens

too much/little of a drug/chem causing abnorm development upon exposure (caffeine/meds)

What tissues are most vulnerable to external factors causing abnormal development?

those undergoing rapid development

When is postnatal development?

birth and beyond

What pattern does growth follow?

sigmoid shape that’s predictable and nonlinear (various spurts/steady periods among individ)

An increase in height occurs (after/before) weight.

before

Female peak/taper/stop height growth age

12 yo/14 yo/16 yo

Male peak/taper/stop height growth age

14 yo/17 yo/18 yo

Female peak weight growth time

3.5-10.5 mos after peak hgt growth

Male peak weight growth time

2.5-5 mos after peak hgt growth

When does one gain weight after adolescence and what is it a function of?

20s and maturation

What shift does body proportion go through from infancy-adulthood?

head heavy/short leg to adult proport

When does growth end?

late teens/early 20s

Height and weight decrease in elders because…

osteoporosis/sc compression and m mass loss/dec appetite

Define physiological maturation

when biochemical composition of cells/organ sys advance qualitatively leading to full functioning

Various maturation rates may act as a …. to movement (incoodrination during growth spurt)

structural constraint

What do we use to assess physiological maturation?

dental eruption (6mos-3 yo, 6-13 yo), skeletal maturation (growth plates), secondary sex characteristics appear

What demonstrates external influence on growth?

catch up growth