LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT

Lifespan Development Overview

• Focuses on growth from birth to death, impacting anatomy and disorders.

Neonatal and Infant Stages

Definitions

• Neonates: Birth to 1 month old.

• Infants: 1 month to 1 year old.

Vital Signs and Anatomy Differences

• Smaller blood volume and cardiovascular system heart has to work harder. The younger the person the faster pulse and respirations.

• Blood pressure directly correlates to p.t. weight and increases with age

• Weight

  • neonate 6-8 lb birth

  • growth ~30g/day

• Increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure:

  • Neonates/Infants: Higher heart rate due to a smaller heart working harder.

  • Higher respiratory rate due to smaller lung capacity for oxygen intake.

• Cardiovascular system

  • birth neonate transitions from fetal to independent circulation

• Pulmonary system

  • infants younger than 6 MO prone to nasal congestion

  • infants large tounges + short/narrow airways→ airway obstruction common

Nervous System Characteristics

• Sensitive nervous system; responds strongly to stimuli.

• evolves after birth

• Key neurological assessments:

  • Palmar Grasp Reflex: Baby grips objects placed in palm.

  • Moro Reflex: response when startled or feel like falling

  • Sucking Reflex: Instinctive sucking response when objects are near the mouth.

Skeletal Considerations

• Fontanelles: Soft spots where skull bones haven't fused.

  • Anterior fontanelle typically closes before birth; posterior fontanelle closes between 9-18 months.

  • Assess fontanelles in head trauma or dehydration for important health indicators.

Immune System Development

• Infants receive antibodies from mother, but their immune systems are immature.

• Increased susceptibility to illnesses; frequent respiratory and GI issues.

• physcosocial changes begin @ birth and evolve

Developmental Milestones

• 2-5 Months: Increased hand activity, tracking with eyes; no verbal communication.

• 6-9 Months: Development of communication skills, stranger anxiety noted by 7 months.

• 10-12 Months: Increased activity (crawling, standing) and risks of falls and choking.

• Psychosocial changes

  • crying is main method of communicating (crying baby is healthy)

  • bonding is based on secure attachment

  • separation anxiety is common in older infants

  • trust and mistrust involves needs being met

Toddler (1-3) and Preschooler Stages (3-6 Years)

Vital Signs

• Similar trends to infants with gradual normalization approaching adult levels.

• Toddler: 90-150 bpm, 20-30 breaths/min SBP 80-100 mm Hg

• Preschoolers: 80-140 bpm, 20-25 breaths/min, systolic bp 80-100 mm Hg

Health Risks

• Increased vulnerability to respiratory illnesses (croup, epiglottitis, pertussis).

• Loss of passive immunity leads to independent immune responses.

• do not have well-developed lung musculature-prone to resp. ill.

Growth and Communication

• Significant development in neuromuscular skills and social interactions. (sad, angry, etc)

  • no response is a little more concerning

• Ability to express basic emotions; developing sentences.

Child Stage (6-12 Years)

Physical Changes

• Vital signs approaching adult norms (Pulse: 70-120, BP: 80-100, resp 15-20).

• Noticeable growth metric: average four pounds and 2.5 inches per year.

• permanent teeth come in

• brain activity in both hemispheres

Psychosocial Development

• Development of reasoning and self-esteem.

• Emotional responses become more complex; appropriate reactions to various circumstances critical.

Adolescent Development (12-18 Years)

Vital Signs Normalization

• Heart rate normalizes to adult levels. (pulse 60-80, resp 12-20, systolic bp 90-110 mm hg)

Physical Changes

• 2-3 year growth spurt (girls finish 16 yrs boys by 18 yrs)

• Puberty leads to rapid development and identity exploration.

  • secondary sexual development takes place

  • voice starts to change

  • menstruation begins

Psychosocial Issues

• Increased anxiety, depression, and risk of substance abuse.

• Notable family dynamics shifts and struggle with self-identity;

• Higher incidence of suicidal thoughts compared to adults.

• privacy becomes an issue

• antisocial behaviors and peer pressure peak 14-16 years

  • smoking, illicit drug use, unprotected sex and eating disorders

Early Adulthood (19-40 Years)

Vital Signs and Health

• Peak physical performance typically seen around 19-25 years.

• Stable vital signs; potential for developing chronic conditions (high blood pressure, cholesterol).

Psychosocial Priorities

• Focus on career, family, and education goals.

Middle Adulthood (41-60 Years)

Health Considerations

• Normal vital signs but higher incidence of chronic issues.

• Increased cancer incidence and onset of menopause in females.

• vuneravle to vision and hearing loss

• menopause occurs late 40s early 50s

• diabetes, hypertension weight problems

Psychosocial Changes

• Life adjustments as children leave home, leading to potential loneliness.

• focus on achieving life goals

Older Adults (61+ Years)

Vital Sign Variability

• Vital signs may vary based on individual health conditions (hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions).

• life expectancy (@time presentation) 78 yrs

• vitals depend on

  • overall health, medical conditions, medications taken

  • older adults able to overcome medical problems but take lots of meds (i.e. b-blockers with a hr of 66)

• cardiovascular system

  • declines with age due to atherosclerosis

  • HR and CO decrease

  • vascular system becomes stiff

  • ability to replace blood cells declines, as does blood volume

• Respiratory

  • size of airway increases but surface area of alveoli decrease

  • natural elasticity of lungs decreases

    • breathing becomes more labor intense

    • aspiration and obstruction is more likely

    • vital capacity decreases

    • residual volume increases

• Endocrine System

  • insulin drops off

  • metabolism decreases

  • physical activity slows, but no change in food intake

  • hormone production decreases

  • sexual desire is lowered

• digestive system

  • taste sensations decrease

  • salivia production decreases

  • ability of intestines to contract and move food diminishes

• Renal system

  • filtration function declines

  • kidney mass decreases by 20%

  • decreased ability to clear wastes from the body

  • decreased ability to conserve fluids when needed

• Nervous system

  • motor and sensory neural networks slow down

  • neurons are lost

  • sleep patterns change

  • peripheral nerve sensation diminishes

  • brain mass decreases

• Sensory changes

  • hearing loss or vision loss

  • visual distortions common

  • hearing 4x more common

• Physcosocial changes

  • most people retain high brain function until about 5 years before death

  • 95% elderly live at home

  • financial restrictions restrict access to healthcare

  • isolation and depression can be challenging

Neurological and Sensory Changes

• Decreased sensory functions may lead to greater risks of injury/infection.

Psychosocial Factors

• Challenges with isolation, loneliness, and increased mental health issues like depression in the elderly.

All Vitals Combined