Question

A mother comes in with 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

ANSWER :

Assessing of weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference, mid upper arm circumference is known as "Anthropometric measurements". Anthropometric measurements are used to identify development delays in the child's body size, shape,and composition.

DEVELOPMENT MARKERS FOR A 9 MONTH OLD GIRL :

Weight - 8.5 Kg (Normal infant weight is 9.75 kg)

Height - 72.0 cm (Normal infant height is 75 cm)

Head circumference - 44 cm (Normal infant head circumference is 45 cm)

RECOMMENDATIONS GIVEN TO THE MOTHER :

* Continue breast feeding along with introducing of new food in the diet plan

* Educate mother about weaning diets

* According to willingness and acceptance of child plan diet

* Prepare foods which are attractive in colors and of different shapes and sizes which grab child's attention

* Check for symptoms of constipation, vomiting, diarrhea while introducing new foods, to avoid those slowly introduce foods

* Provide adequate sleep to child, as sleep helps in transition of child height

* Assess for the symptoms of hydrocephalus or any other head related disorders to physician

* Encourage mother to go for monthly check up for growth and development of child

* Educate mother to perform personal hygienic practices while feeding to child

Therefore, by explaining these recommendations to mother which are evidence based practice, can improve the growth and development stages of the child.