Lifespan Development

Neonate

Birth to 1 month. Blow 60 bpm needs CPR. 6-8 lbs. Head is 25% of body weight. 1 oz per day growth. Weight triples by end of first year. Infants younger than 6 months are prone to nasal congestion. Larger tongues and narrower airways, so airway obstruction is more common.

Moro reflex: “Baby jump scare.” Arms open wide, spread fingers, grab at things.

Palmar grasp: Done when object placed in palm.

Rooting Reflex: Instinctively turns head when something touches its cheek.

Sucking reflex: Occurs when a neonate lips are stroked.

Babinski Reflex

Fontanelles: Spaces between bones that eventually fuse to become the skull. Posterior fontanelle fuses by 3 months, and anterior fontanelle fuses between 9 and 18 months. Sunken fontanelle means dehydration.

Nervous system:

  • 2 Months: Tracking objects with their eyes and recognize familiar faces.

  • 6 Months: Sitting upright and babbling

  • 12 Months: Walking with some assistance.

Immune System: Maintains some of mother’s immunities, receive antibodies via breastfeeding.

Psychosocial Changes:

  • Crying is main method of communicating distress. In medical field, crying is good sign.

  • Develop relationships with caregivers/parents at different rates.

  • Bonding is based on a secure attachment.

  • Anxious avoidant is found in infants who are repeatedly rejected

  • Separation anxiety common in older infants

  • Trust and mistrust involves an infant’s needs being met.

Infant

1 month to 1 year.

Toddlers and Preschoolers:

Preschoolers: 3 to 6 years

Pulse: 80 to 140 bpm

Respiratory Rate: 20 to 25

Systolic BP: 80 to 100

Systolic BP Formula: 70 + (2 x age) = Estimated Healthy Systolic. Used on ages 1-10.

Preschoolers cont:

  • Don’t have well developed lung musculature.

  • Weight gain should level off.

  • Passive immunity is lost.

  • Neuromuscular growth also makes considerable progress at this age.

  • Average age of completion for toilet training is 28 months.

Preschooler Psychosocial:

  • Learn to speak and express themselves.

  • Master basic language

  • Interact and play games with other children

  • Begin to understand cause and effect

  • Learn to recognize gender differences

  • If they’re not interacting with kids, it’s an indicator.

School age Children

6-12

Growth of 4 lb and 2.5 inches per year

Permanent teeth growing in.

Brain activity increases in both hemisphere

Psychosocial Changes:

  • Preconventional reasoning: Children act to avoid punishment and get what they want.

  • Conventional Reasoning: Children look for approval from peers and society

  • Postconventional Reasoning: Children make decisions guided by their conscience

  • Self-concept and self-esteem develop

Adolescents (Teen) 12 to 18

Vital signs level off:

  • Pulse 60 to 100

  • BP 90 to 110 (tentative)

  • RR: 12 to 20

2 to 3 year growth spurt. Girls finished at 16, boys 18.

Reproductive System Matures

  • Secondary sexual development takes place.

  • Voices start to change.

  • Menstruation begins.

  • Acne can occur.

  • Antisocial behavior and peer pressure peak at 14 to 16.

  • Code of ethics develops.

  • High risk of suicide and depression.

Early Adults

  • 19 to 25, body should be optimal.

  • Psychosocial Changes

    • Life centers on work, family, stress

    • Settling down, marriage, and family

    • Stable periods of life

Middle Adults

  • Vulnerable to vision and hearing loss

  • Cancer incidence increases

  • Menopause occurs in late 40s or early 50s

  • Diabetes, hypertension, and weight problems are common

  • Exercise and healthy diet can diminish the effects of aging

Older Adults

61 years and older

Life expectancy is constantly changing, approximately 78

Cardiovascular System:

  • Declines with age largely due to atherosclerosis

  • Heart rate and cardiac output decrease

  • Vascular system becomes stiff

  • Ability to produce replacement blood cells declines, as does blood volume

Respiratory System:

  • Vital capacity decreases

  • Chest becomes more rigid and fragile

  • Cough and gag reflex diminish

  • Greater risk for aspiration and airway obstruction

  • More susceptible to lung infections

Digestive System

  • Taste decreases

  • Saliva secretion decreases

  • Ability of the intestines to contract and move food diminishes

  • Gallstones become common

  • Anal sphincter changes can produce fecal incontinence

Nervous System:

  • Age related shrinkage creates a void between the brain and the outermost layer of the meninges.

  • Peripheral nerve sensation is diminished.

  • Increased reaction times cause longer delays between stimulation and motion.

  • Slowdown in reflexes and decreased kinesthetic sense may contribute to falls and trauma.

Psychosocial Changes:

  • Until 5 years before death, most people retain high brain function.

  • Statistics indicate that 95% of the elderly live at home.

  • Financial limits may restrict access to health care of medications.

  • More than 50% of all single women in the US who are 60 or older are living at or below the poverty line.

  • Elderly need to face their own mortality.

  • Isolation and depression can be challenges.