Today our topic of discussion is Infant Care.
Infant Care
INFANT CARE
Infant (1 month 1 ½ year) growth and development is rapid and enables maturation to unfold in a relatively short time. Health status is based on the infant’s ability to adapt to these rapid changes. As a healthcare providers, the nurse must have an understanding of these changes to ensure the infant and his or her family maintain an optimal health (Fig. 34.3).
Physiological Developments
Height and weight: Height increases during the first 6 months by approximately one inch per month. The rate of growth in height slows to approximately 0.5 inches per month by 12 months of age. The weight gains 1.5. lb per month or 5-7 oz per week. By 12 months of age, the infant’s birth weight will have tripled.
Head growth: The size of the head changes rapidly during infancy, reflecting rapid brain growth. By the age of 12 months the infant’s brain will be two thirds the size of a adult brain. During first 6 months the head circumference will increase by approximately 0.5. inches per month.
Motor development: Motor development is related to physical, cognitive and social development, which provides the infant with the means and freedom to explore the environment. Gross motor development is the ability to use large muscle groups to maintain balance and postural control or locomotion. Fine motor development is the ability to coordinate hand-eye movement in an orderly and progressive manner.
Health screening: Health screening provides the opportunity to asses for detect any problems, the infant may have and includes test to detect phenylketonuria (PKU), iron deficiency anemia, lead poisoning and hypothyroidism.
The infant’s health screening actually begins immediately after birth with the first Apgar scoring and physical examination. The screening visits typically include health assessment, physical examination, growth indicators, anticipatory guidance, parental concerns and administration of scheduled immunizations.
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