PSYC3315 Ch5

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of weight in relation to height

failure to thrive

a condition, usually due to inadequate nutrition, in which a child’s growth falters and weight gain is not as rapid as would be expected at that age

psycho-social short stature

a type of failure to thrive in which a child is both underweight and extremely short, often as a result of neglect and psychological trauma

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

a noninvasive tool that uses a magnetic field to create detailed images of soft tissues in the body, including the brain.

functional MRI

a form of MRI that shows brain activity through changes in blood flow and oxygen levels

synapses

spaces between neurons in which biochemical messages are released and absorbed

axons

branchlike structures that convey electrical messages outward from a neuron’s cell body and towards a synapse

dendrites

branch-like structrures that convey electrical messages from the synapse and towards the neuron’s cell body

neurotransmitters

biochemical substances that transmit information between neurons through release and uptake at synapses

vesicles

neurotransmitter storage spaces at the end of the axon

synaptogenesis

formation of synapses in a network of neurons

myelin

a fatty covering that insulates axons and increases the efficiency of neural functioning

experience-expectant

aspects of brain development that “expect” to have certain kinds of stimulation as a result of common experience of humans and are ready to develop once they receieve those stimuli

experience-dependant

aspects of brain development that develop solely as a result of people’s experiences

maltreatment

neglect, medical neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse or psychological abuse

abusive head trauma

a type of maltreatment in which an angry or frustrated adult shakes an infant violently, leading to brain injury or deat

adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

potentially tramatic experiences before the age of 18, such as maltreatment, violence, housing instability, or living in a household whose members have substance abuse problems, etc

sudden unexplained infant death (SUID)

the term for an infant under the age of 1 year who dies unexpectedly, with no immediately obvious cause

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

the diagnosis given when an infant younger than 1 year dies and a complete investigation is unable to determine the cause

accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (ASSB)

the diagnosis given for suffocation by soft bedding, wedging, or entrapement between two object, strangulation, or overlay by another person while sleeping

colostrum

a thick, yellowish fluid, richer in protein and protective antibodies than the breast milk that is produced a few days after birth

complementary feeding

the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to the inclusion of solid food in an infant’s diet

protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)

a form of malnutrition that occurs when insufficent amounsts of protein and calories are consumed in the diet

micronutrient deficiency

a form of malnutrition that occurs when insufficient amounts of minerals and vitamins are consumed in the diet

How do early traumatic experiences affect a child’s development?

early traumatic experiences can cause PTSD in maltreated children, along with smaller brain size and developmental delays to the prefrontal cortex

newborn screening

usually done within 24 hours of the infants birth via a blood sample to determine an infant’s likelyhood of having several genetically inherited conditions, some of which are “time-critical” and early treatment is important

oto-acoustic emissions (OAE)

assessment for infants that involves placing a mini microphone in an infant’s ear and measuring soundwaves produced in the cochlea in response to clicks and tones

auditory brain stem response

assessment for infants that involves placing electrodes on an infant’s scalp to measure brain waves in response to clicks and other sounds

lead poisioning

a condition caused by exposure to lead through exposure in toys, paint, or food that can cause brain damage, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures, and even death

Infant Mortality Rate in 2019

5.58

clinically jaudiced

infant’s immature liver is unable to contribute to the breakdown of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, causing the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow

pathologic jaudice

a rare but serious condition that develops with 24 hours after birth and may lead to brain damage or death if not treated

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

common illness that causes infections in the lungs and respiratory tract

leading cause of death among children between 1-4

unintentional injury