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Definition of Growth

Is a natural increase in the physical size of the whole or any part of

the body due to increase in number of cells of the different organs. It also
involves quantity changes, and can be measured by cm and Kg, assessed
by weight, skull circumference and skin folds.

Definition of Development
Progressive maturation of skills and capacity of function and
acquisition of social relations. It also refers to signifies maturation of
organs and systems, gaining of skills and ability of organs and assuming
responsibilities. Unlike growth, it is rather difficult to measure
development. It involves qualitative changes.

Importance of Growth and Development for Nurses

 Knowing what to expect of a particular child at any given age.
 Gaining better understanding of the reasons behind illnesses.
 Helping in formulating the plan of care.
 Helping in parents’ education in order to achieve optimal growth &
development at each stage.

Principles of Human Growth and Development:

 It is Continuous process.
 It is Gradual
 It is Sequential
 Rate of growth and development Varies Person to Person
 growth and development Proceeds from General to Specific
 Most Traits are Correlated in Development

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 Growth and Development is a Product of Both Heredity and
Environment
 Development is Predictable
 There is a Constant Interaction Between All Factors of Development

Types of Growth:
1- Physical growth: refers to an increase in body size (length or height
and weight) and in the size of organs. From birth to about age 1 or 2
years, children grow rapidly. After this time, growth slows. As
growth slows, children need fewer calories and parents may notice a
decrease in appetite. During the preschool and school years, growth
in height and weight is steady. It can be assessed by a variety of
measurements:
 Head circumference.
 Thoracic (chest) diameter.
 Weight.
 Height.
 Skin fold thickness.
 Dental development

2- Physiologic growth can assessed through measurement of

temperature pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
The physical growth can be evaluated by the anthropometric
measurements such as:

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 Length:
Length in children who are too young to stand is measured while
children lie on their back on a suitable device, such as a measuring table
(called a stadiometer).
• Boys average Ht = 50 cm
• Girls average Ht = 49 cm
• Normal range for both (47.5- 53.75 cm)
Height:
Height in children who can stand is measured using a vertical
measuring scale. In general, length in normal-term infants increases
about 30% by age 5 months and more than 50% by age 12 months.
Infants typically grow about 10 inches (25 centimeters) during the first
year, and height at 5 years is about double the birth length.

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Weight

The normal weight in newborn is 2.700gm – 4 kg

o Wt loss 5% -10% by 3-4 days after birth

o Wt gain by 10th days of life
o Gain ¾ kg by the end of the 1st month.

Head circumference:
 Normal head circumference in newborn: 33-35 cm
 Head is ¼ total body length

Chest circumference:
 It is 30.5 to 33cm (usually 2–3cm less than head circumference).
Physical examination
It is continuous process including examination of the whole body
from head toes that begin during any interview in health and illness.

Times of physical examination

 Every month in the 1st year.
 Every 3 month of the 2nd and 3rd year.
 Each 6 month of 4th and 5th year.
 Yearly after the 6th year

Component of physical assessment

 Growth measurement
 Physiological measurement
 General assessment from head to toe

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 1-Weight
Average weight at birth ranged from 2.700-4 kg
Use an electronic scale or beam scale.

Formula for calculation weight:

Age Formula

3-12month Age(m)+9/2

1-6 year Age (y)x2+8

7-12 year Age (y)x7-5

2-Length
Normal range for both sexes (47.5-53.5cm). If shorter than 45cm
indicate Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation.

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 3-Head circumference (HC)

-At birth is 33-35cm and increase 2cm at the end of the first month

Age Increasing of head Average size of head

circumference circumference

Birth to 6 1.5 cm/month 43cm

months

7 to 12 months 0.5 cm/month 46cm

4-Chest circumference (CC):

 At birth range from (30.5-33 cm)

 At 1 to 2years, HC equal CC. Measure above the nipple to the
scapula in the back.

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5-Abdominal circumference.

Put the tap measure above the umbilicus in straight line to the back.

It is important in renal diseases to measure the abdominal grith.

6-Mid arm circumference

Bent the arm at right angle a90degree angle with palm up and measure
from acromion to olecranon process and mark the midpoint then measure the
distance around the arm at the mark and record it.

7-Triceps skin fold thickness

-Grasp fold of fat about 1-2 cm above the midpoint using

forefinger and thump,

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use the caliper to measure the skin fold with the hand continued to
hold the fold.

-it gives indication about the nutritional status of the child.