Biological Development in Infants

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to biological and developmental milestones in infants, suitable for exam preparation.

Growth Charts

Tools used to track the distribution of weight, length, and head circumference of infants, comparing them against national percentiles.

Centiles

Percentile curves used to compare growth metrics of infants against a population to assess their growth status.

Physical Development

The growth and changes in body size and proportions, and the development of motor skills in infants.

Cephalocaudal Development

The pattern of growth and development that proceeds from the head downward to the rest of the body.

Proximodistal Development

The pattern of growth and development that starts at the center of the body and moves outward toward the limbs.

Gross Motor Skills

Development of large muscle groups used for actions such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking.

Fine Motor Skills

Development of small movements and coordination involving the hands and fingers.

Separation Anxiety

A developmental stage where infants exhibit distress upon separation from their familiar caregivers.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

SUID (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death)

An umbrella term for the sudden and unexpected death of an infant under 1 year of age, with no known cause prior to investigation.

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

A type of mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth, characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion.

Anhedonia

The inability to feel pleasure or joy in normally pleasurable activities.

Colostrum

The first milk produced by the mother's breasts after giving birth, rich in antibodies and nutrients.

Echolalia

The involuntary repetition of words or phrases spoken by others.

Palmar Grasp

An infant reflex where the baby closes their fingers around an object placed in their palm.

Pincer Grasp

A grasping technique developed by infants, allowing them to hold small objects between the thumb and forefinger.

Proto-imperative Pointing

Pointing to an object as a means of communicating a desire or request.

Health Promotion

Activities and programs aimed at improving the health and development of infants.

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

A condition in which an infant doesn't gain weight or grow as expected, potentially indicating underlying health issues.