Definition of Growth and Development – Introduction to fundamental concepts of Biological Science including the organization and common characteristics of living matters, cell structures and functions, food production by photosynthesis, harvesting energy, mechanism of cells reproduction, genetics, evolutions, and Human Biology. Introduction to general chemistry including basic concepts about matter, atomic structure, chemical bonds, gases, liquid, and solids, solutions, chemical reactions, acid, bases, and salt;
organic and biochemistry including hydrocarbons and their derivatives, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, nucleic acids; principles of physics and applications to nursing including gravity and mechanics, pressure, heat and electricity; nuclear chemistry and nuclear physics, effects of radiation on human beings, and protection and disposal. The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills in general biological science, general chemistry and physics.
Definition of Growth and Development
Definition of Growth:
Growth is defined as an increase in the size of an individual due to increase in number and size of the cells, resulting in an overall increase.
or
It is the process of physical maturation resulting an increase in size of the body and various organs. It occurs by multiplication of cells and an increase in intracellular substance. It is progressive and measurable phenomenon.
Definition of Development:
Development is maturation of function and acquisition of variety of skills for functioning optimally in a society.
(Ref by-M.R. Khan 4th edition /56)
Development refers to acquisition & maturation of skills, behaviors and values on the part of the growing child. This mostly depends on the maturation of nervous system. During development, the child builds up a store of knowledge about his or her environment, learns motor skills, communications, behavior etc.
Ref by: Molla/2/5
Development is the process of functional and physiological maturation of individual. It is progressive increase in skill and capacity to function. It is related to maturation and myelination of the nervous system. It includes psychological, emotional and social changes.
(Ref by: Parul Datta/4th/108)
Importance of Assessing Growth and Development
- The assessment of growth and development is very helpful in finding out the state of health and nutrition of a child. Continuous normal growth and development indicate a good state of health and nutrition of a child.
- To learn what to expect from a particular child at a particular age.
- To assess the normal growth and development of children.
- To detect deviations from normal growth and development, i.e. physical and psychological abnormalities and to understand the reasons of particular conditions and illnesses.
- To ascertain the needs of the child according to the level of growth and development.
- To plan and provide holistic nursing management to the child based on developmental stages.
Principles of Development:
1. Development is a continuous process from conception to maturity
2. Development depends on maturation and myelination of nervous system’
3. Sequence of development is same for all children, but rate of development varies from child to child.
4. Certain primitive reflexes must be lost before voluntary movements develop.
5. Continuous mass activity is replaced by specific individual responses.
6. The direction of development is cephalocaudal.
Factors Influencing Growth & Development:
1. Genetic:
- Tall parents are likely to have tall offspring.
- Genetic disorders (e.g. hemophilia) and chromosomal disorders, (e.g. Down’s syndrome) also affect growth and development.
2. Nutritional:
- Over-nutrition may cause obesity.
- Malnourished mothers produce babies with IUGR
3. Socio-economic:
- Poor socio-economic condition affects growth and development
4. Environmental and seasonal:
- Psychological, social, cultural factors and harvest seasons have a positive effect over growth and development.
5. Chronic diseases:
- Chronic diseases of the heart, lung, liver etc impair growth
- Acute illnesses usually do not have any noteworthy effect on growth and development.
6. Emotional & Cultural:
- Emotional trauma have negative effect on growth and development.
7. Intrauterine :
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and maternal infections and diseases adversely affect the fetus
8. Growth potentials:
- The smaller the child at birth (especially in context of gestation), the smaller he is likely to be in subsequent years.
- The larger the child at birth, the larger he is likely to be in later year.
Importance of Learning Growth and Development
The study of growth and development is essential to the nurse to provide appropriate care to the children. It helps the nurses in the following aspects:
- To detect deviations from normal growth and development, i.e. physical and psychological abnormalities and to understand the reasons of particular conditions and illnesses.
- To ascertain the needs of the child according to the level of growth and development.
- To plan and provide holistic nursing management to the child based on developmental
stages. - To teach and guide the parents and caregivers to anticipate the problems and to render tender loving care to their children.
- To develop a rapport with the child to enhance the provision of health care and to help to build healthy lifestyle for optimum health for the future.
Characteristics of Growth and Development:
Growth and development depend upon each other and in normal child they are parallel and proceed concurrently. Though these terms are used interchangeably, but they are not the same. They are used together but not synonymous. The characteristics and principles which regulates growth and development in children are as follows-
- Growth and development is continuous and orderly process with individual difference and is unique to each child.
- It proceeds by stages and its sequence is predictable and same in all children but there may difference in time of achievement.
- There is co-ordination between increase in size and maturation.
- They proceed in cephalocaudal (i.e. from the head down the tail) and proximodistal (i.e. from the center or midline to periphery) direction.
- Initial mass activities and movements are replaced by specific response or actions by the complex process of individualized changes.
- Rate of growth and development is interrelated and rapid in infancy and in puberty but slow in preschool and school age, Growth and development depend on combination of many interdependent factors especially by heredity and environment
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