What factors determine intra-uterine growth and birth weight?
- Infant sex
- Ethnicity/race
- Maternal height
- Alcohol consumption
- Pregnancy height and weight
- Maternal birth weight
- Parity (number of pregnancies)
- Gestational weight gain
- Prior low birth weight infant
- Caloric intake
- Cigarette smoking
- Tobacco chewing
- Maternal age
- Socioeconomic status (indirect determinant)
What is the risk of mortality for full-term infants born in or below the 10th percentile birth weight?
2.5 times risk of mortality
What defines low birth weight?
Birth weight less than 2,500 gm (5lbs 8oz)
What are the two distinct groups of low birth weight infants?
- Pre-term: physiological immaturity
- Small-for-date: small for gestational age (SGA)
What are the effects of low birth weight on postnatal growth?
- Decreased height
- Increased neuromuscular coordination and power
What is the most common cause of spontaneous abortion?
Chromosomal abnormalities (~50%)
What percentage of all clinically recognized pregnancies end in a miscarriage?
About 10-25%
What are some proven causes of miscarriage?
- Maternal age
- Illness
- Lifestyle
- Trauma
What indicates a congenital malformation?
An abnormal condition present at birth
What period is most critical for genetic malformations?
Embryonic phase
What are teratogens?
Environmental agents that cause harm to the embryo or fetus
What is the impact of maternal smoking on prenatal growth?
Causes hypoxia and deficits in weight & length of baby
What are the effects of maternal alcohol consumption on fetal development?
- Fetal growth restriction
- Abnormal facial development
- Impairment of the central nervous system
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and its prevalence?
Occurs about 1 in every 700 births
What are the consequences of maternal alcohol consumption?
- Growth deficiency
- Microcephaly
- Increased risk of congenital anomalies
- Central nervous system dysfunction
What is the recommended duration and time per week for exercise during pregnancy?
- Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
- Time per week: at least 3 to 4 (up to daily)
What does the Fetal Origins of Adult Diseases (FOAD) theory suggest?
Events early in fetal development can impact adult disease risk
What are some genetic conditions that can be screened for during pregnancy?
- Cystic fibrosis
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Tay-Sachs disease
- Thalassemia
- Down syndrome
What are primitive reflexes and their role?
Reflexes that dominate the first 6 months, ensuring survival
What are examples of infant reflexes and their disappearance timeline?
- Sucking reflex: disappears around 4 months
- Search or rooting reflex: disappears between 4 to 6 months
- Labyrinthine reflex: disappears between 4 to 6 months
What is the significance of monitoring motor function in infants?
Determining neurological maturation
What are stereotypies in infancy?
Rhythmic, patterned movements not learned through imitation
What is the purpose of stereotypies?
Uncertain; could be calming or practice
What are postural reflexes and their development?
Appear later, produced cortically, precursors to complex movement
