Chapter 9 - Newborn Development

Term infant

An infant born at 37 weeks or more in gestational age

Preterm infant

An infant born before 37 weeks gestational age

Neonatal period

The first 4 weeks following birth

Foramen ovale

An opening between the two atrial chambers of the heart in the fetus

Ductus arteriosus

The passageway that exists between the pulmonary trunk and the aorta in the heart of the fetus

Persistent fetal circulation

When the fetal circulatory pathways fail to close after birth

Persistent pulmonary hypertension

A condition in which the blood vessels around the lungs do not open up as they should post birth

Patent ductus arteriosus

A condition in which the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth

Jaundice

A yellowish cast to the skin caused by increased bilirubin levels

Kernicterus

A condition in which excess bilirubin levels begin to damage the brain

Cerebral palsy

A congenital condition causing low muscle tone and uncoordinated movement

Meconium

A thick tarry substance that is voided in the first few days of life

Neurogenesis

The differentiation of new nerve cells

Myelination

The developmental process of building a myelin sheath on the nerves to insulate the fibers and ensure that messages sent by nerve fibers are not lost en route

Synaptogenesis

The building of specialized junctions at which a nerve cell communicates with a target cell

Reflex

A sterotypic obligatory response to a given stimulus

Attractor well

A preferred pattern of movement

Oral motor reflexes

Reflexes specific to the muscle actions of the mouth and oral area

Suck-swallow reflex

A reflex in which downward pressure on the tongue causes a rhythmic sucking movement

Suckling

The process by which neonates press the nipple to the hard palate and use positive pressure to obtain milk

Phasic bite reflex

A reflex in which pressure on the gums triggers an up and down motion of the jaw

Gag reflex

A reflex in which a touch to the posterior portion of the tongue or soft palate triggers a gagging pattern

Rooting reflex

A reflex in which stroking the infants check causes the infant to move towards the stimulus

Tonic labyrinthine reflex

A reflex in which systemic flexion is triggered by lying prone, and systemic extension is triggered by lying supine

Labyrinthine righting reactions

A group of upper brain stem-mediated responses that either align the body with respect to gravity or the support surface, or rotate the body parts into alignment with each other

Neonatal neck-righting reaction

A rotary righting reaction that causes that helps the infant transfer from one postural set to another

Palmar grasp reflexes

A reflex in which pressure in the palm triggers the infant’s fingers to curl and grasp the object

Plantar grasp reflex

A reflex in which a stimulus just under the toes signals the infant to grasp with the toes

Placing reactions

A reaction wherein, when the back of an infants hand or foot is grazed the infant will flex and extend the limb

Postural support reaction

Occurs when infants are held vertically and feet are placed on a surface, if the infant is tipped slightly forward they will step forward

Primative stepping

The pattern of spontaneously and reciprocally flexing one leg and extending the other in alternating patterns

Moro reflex

A reflex in which the infants head is dropped backwards causing them to fling their arms forward

Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex

A reflex that occurs when the infants head is turned to one side, triggering the upper and lower limbs on that side to extend, and the limbs on the opposite side to flex

Interactive behaviors

Active behaviors directed at gaining the attention of others