Factors Affecting Child Development & Importance of Vaccinations

Posted on Aug 21, 2024 in Biology

Factors Affecting Good Physical Development in Children

Home Environment

  • Positive family environment with harmony, security, and protection.
  • Clean, tidy, and well-ventilated home with a temperature of 18-20°C and good humidity.

Nutrition

  • Varied and balanced diet including water, vitamins, proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats.
  • Understanding Carbohydrates:
    • Carbohydrate = Carbon + Hydrogen + Oxygen
    • Simpler Carbohydrates = Simple Sugars or Monosaccharides
    • Two Monosaccharides = Disaccharide
    • Union of Many Monosaccharides = Polysaccharide

Sleep

  • Age-Appropriate Sleep Habits:
    • Newborn: 17 hours, sleeping day and night.
    • 3 Months: 15 hours, 5-9 hours at night and 3-4 naps.
    • 6 Months: 14 hours, 10 PM-12 AM at night and 2 naps.
    • 12 Months: 13-14 hours, 12-13 hours at night, one nap after lunch (2 hours).
    • 2-3 Years: 12-13 hours, night sleep decreasing to 11 hours, one nap after lunch (1-2 hours).

Clothing and Hygiene

  • Comfortable and appropriate clothing that is easy to wash and allows for independent dressing.
  • Proper hygiene: Full bath and daily handwashing after using the toilet and before eating, tooth brushing (from 2-3 years old, they should do it correctly on their own).

Outdoor Time

  • Regular exposure to fresh air and sunshine. Sunlight is a rich source of Vitamin D, which supports growth.
  • Daily playtime is crucial, with the duration varying depending on age.

Regular Medical Check-ups

  • Regular and thorough check-ups by the pediatrician from birth throughout childhood.
  • Frequency of Doctor Visits:
    • Up to 7 months: Once a month
    • 7-18 months: Every 3 months
    • 18 months-3 years: Every 6 months
    • From 3 years: Once a year

Initial Medical Assessments

  • First controls in the delivery room by a neonatologist using the Apgar score (assessed in the 1st minute of life and repeated after 5-10 minutes), considering:
    • Skin color
    • Heart rate
    • Reaction to stimuli
    • Muscle tone
    • Breathing
  • Apgar Score Interpretation:
    • 7-10 points: Excellent condition
    • 3-6 points: Fair condition, may require oxygen
    • Less than 3 points: Needs resuscitation
  • Other Basic Controls in the First Test:
    • Aspiration of mucus in the nose and mouth
    • Examination of the mouth, ears, nose, throat, pharynx, esophagus, and anus
    • Chest auscultation (examining the heart and lungs)
    • Abdominal palpation (including kidneys and liver)
    • Palpation of the pulse in the groin (to rule out problems in the aorta)
    • Examination of primitive reflexes: Sucking, stepping, and Moro reflexes
    • Examination of the genitalia
    • Administration of Vitamin K to prevent bleeding
    • Measurement of height and weight
    • Application of antibiotic ointment (to prevent eye infection)
  • Health Surveillance During the First 10 Days:
    • Monitoring of good skin color
    • Assessment of activity (movements)
    • State of the fontanelles
    • Ortolani test (opening and aligning the hips by moving their legs, a click may indicate a defect)
    • Barlow maneuver (flexing the child’s hip and applying pressure on the femur, sensing if the bone is out of place)
  • Disorders of Congenital Hip Dysplasia:
    • Dysplasia: Flattening of the acetabulum
    • Subluxation or Partial Dislocation: The femoral head is displaced inside the socket
    • Complete Dislocation: The femoral head is outside the acetabulum (the bone cavity where the head of the other bone goes)
  • The First Visit to the Pediatrician (after 3-4 weeks):
    • Re-examination of reflexes, motor and sensory organs
    • Examination of internal organs
    • Review of the mouth, throat, and ears
    • Weight and height check
  • Regular Check-ups and Tests:
    • Examination of growth and development
    • Discussion with the mother about feeding and behavior
    • Vaccine reminders
    • Health assessment through:
      • Chest auscultation (with a stethoscope)
      • Physical examination (palpation of internal organs)
      • Exploration of reflexes (how the nervous system is functioning)
      • Ear examination (otoscopy)
      • Examination of the throat and mouth
      • Blood pressure measurement (with a sphygmomanometer)
      • Height and weight measurement
  • Blood Tests:
    • Heel stick for infants and newborns
    • Blood drawn from arm veins for older infants, children, and adults
  • Urinalysis:
    • Provides information on the kidneys and urinary tract
    • First-morning urine is preferred
    • Special plastic bags are used for infants
  • Visits to Specialists:
    • Necessary if an abnormality is observed
    • May include ophthalmologist (eye), ENT (ear, nose, and throat), dentist, or orthopedist (problems with bones, muscles, and joints)

Importance of Vaccinations

What are Vaccines?

Vaccines are injectable or oral preparations made from inactivated or attenuated viruses or bacteria. They stimulate the body to produce antibodies to fight diseases. The vaccination schedule depends on the specific region and is updated annually.

Systematized Vaccines in Early Childhood (0-3 years)

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP): Given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months.
  • Polio: Administered alongside DTaP at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months. There are two types: Salk (inactivated virus, intramuscular injection) and Sabin (attenuated virus, oral administration).
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Protects against these common diseases spread through saliva, coughing, or sneezing. A single dose is given at 12-15 months.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Protects against various diseases (epiglottitis, pneumonia, bone, blood, ear, and skin infections) and a dangerous type of meningitis. Four doses are given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months.
  • Hepatitis B: Protects against a dangerous viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the liver and is transmitted through blood or sexual contact. Three doses are given: at birth, 2 months, and 6 months.

Non-Systematized Vaccines

These are only given to children with risk factors and include: Yellow fever, Varicella, Influenza, Rabies, Hepatitis A, Cholera, Typhoid, Varicella Zoster, Pneumococcal infection, Meningococcal infection, and Malaria (under testing).

Passive Immunization

This involves administering immunoglobulins or elements that prompt the immune system to produce its own defenses. It provides short-term protection or boosts defenses to combat a disease.

Addressing Concerns about Vaccines

  • Fasting is not required before vaccination.
  • Vaccines provide protection against diseases without causing the illness.
  • If vomiting occurs within one hour of vaccination, it should be re-administered. If diarrhea is present, administer at a later time.
  • Children can be vaccinated during hot weather.
  • Adhere to the vaccination schedule, but repeat if the interval between doses is exceeded.
  • It’s best to wait for complete recovery before immunization, except for synthetic vaccines (which have no contraindications).
  • If discomfort and fever are mild, administer an anti-inflammatory or antipyretic (paracetamol).

Understanding Medical Terms

  • Anti-inflammatory: Fights inflammation.
  • Antipyretic: Effective against fever.
  • Prophylaxis: Protection from disease.
  • Paracetamol: A drug used to treat mild pain, generalized muscle pain, and reduce fever.

Characteristics of Diseases

This section provides brief descriptions of various diseases, including Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Diphtheria, Mumps, Epiglottitis, Meningitis, Hepatitis A, Malaria, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, Meningococcal Meningitis, Varicella, Rabies, and Plague.

Important Definitions

  • Meningococcal: An organism that causes various diseases, primarily a type of meningitis.
  • Pneumococcus: An organism that is a pathogen of some pulmonary diseases.