Question

A mother comes in with a 9-month-old girl. The infant is 68.5cm in length (25th percentile per CDC growth chart), weighs 6.75kg (5th percentile per CDC growth chart), and has a head circumference of 43cm (25th percentile per CDC growth chart).

Describe the developmental markers a nurse should assess for a 9-month-old female infant. Discuss the recommendations you would give the mother. Explain why these recommendations are based on evidence-based practice.

Answer 1

As per CDC, the given parameters shows that the baby is underweight, her weight is not proportionate to her height. Developmental markers of an nine-month old baby includes banging objects, self feeding like finger foods, crawls, sitting without support and being able to pull self to standing position. Other developmental markers that may or may not present in 9-12 month age includes drinking from a cup with support, pointing at objects, getting into sitting position by self, standing alone and walking with support. One can also assess for the baby’s ability to babble, laugh and blow bubbles. Tool which is used to asses developmental screenings are the Denver Developmental Screening Test II, this will assess for language development, gross and fine motor development.
The nurse also assess for the general appearance, in order to know the nutritional status, hygiene, mental alertness and movements. This is very important in this case because thebaby appears to be under weight. As the nurse I would give recommendations regarding the nutritional status of the baby, in this case I would talk to the mother about the child’s diet and inquire if they are still breastfeeding or are taking formula. It would be important for the mother to understand that the baby should continue breastfeeding and using formula for the first 12 months and not introduce cow’s milk during this first year. Also, solid food should be introduced around six months, it would be helpful to provide the mother educational material and handouts as to what a child should be eating at nine months of age. Also, recommendations of healthy food choices and iron fortified baby cereals may be helpful for the baby to gain weight