Question

Apply growth and development principles as they relate to the impact of aging on the pathophysiologic changes.

Answer 1

Growth is a progressive increase in the size of the child like weight, height etc. Development is the gradual gain of certain skills like speech, thinking, socialization etc in the child. The process of growth and development has been studied by researchers and came up with certain basic principles. These principles are applied on human growth and development from conception to death. These principles are applicable to all human beings and the main principles of growth and development are as follows:

1. Growth and development is a continuous process
2. Growth and development follows a pattern, like cephalocaudal, proximodistal etc.
3. Growth and development is from general to specific or simple to complex
4. Growth and development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
5. Growth and development is predictable, but the rate may vary individually.
6. Certain stages of Growth and development are very critical.
7. Growth and development is gradual.

Now lets discuss these principles with some examples and the relation of these principles to pathophysiology of aging. Ageing is a normal physiological process, that impairs the normal physiology of the body leading to functional loss and ultimately leading to death.

1. The growth and development is a continuous process, from conception to embryo to fetal to neonatal to infant to toddler to pre schooler to schooler to adolescent to adult stages and then proceeds to old age and death. Each stage stays for a particular period and proceeds to the next stage. there won't be a stage stop or stage getting reverted to a previous one. the aging also happens as a continuous process. It goes on continuously,till death.
2. Growth and development follows a certain pattern eg : Cephalo caudal, Proximo distal. Cephalo caudal pattern means development happens from head to toe pattern. In the fetal stage the development of the head happens first and then proceeds down till to the foot. In the infant stage , first the head and neck control happens and then starts sitting and then standing and then walking and running. So the pattern is from head to foot and this is same for all human beings. Proximo distal development means, the development of the body close to the mid line of the body (proximal) ,happens first and the development of body away from mid line (distal), happens later. In aging also there is a pattern which is followed. The physiologic changes of the aging of body happens on a pattern, that means there will be some pathophysiological changes happening in the body, and it proceeds and proceeds to death at the end of the process. There will be a irrepairable damage and death to cells due to certain pathological processes or due to usage for long time, and this leads to gradual decline of organ functioning. The loss of organ functioning cause imbalance in the homeostasis and stress overpowers, the total functioning of the body will be lost and ultimately leading to death. So aging also doesn't happen all of a sudden, though it appears sometimes like a sudden death, but the pathophysiological changes were happening in the body already.
3. Growth and development happens from general to specific pattern or from simple to complex pattern.: If we observe the infant, the baby uses the palm to transfer objects first , then as he/she reaches 10-12 months, will be able to use the fingers. Using the fingers needs more complex neuronal functioning than using the hand. By mid infancy period the child will be able to hold things using palm and all fingers together, but by the end of infancy child will be able to hold small things in two or three fingers only. In the pathophysiology of aging also,the general cell death happens first, leading to organ dysfunction,which is more specific and complex. Ultimately the vital organs like heart, lungs, kidneys, brain etc. whichever got affected, will lose the function and lead to death.
4. Growth and development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors: The growth and development usually follows a genetic or hereditary pattern. The child's development will be influenced by maternal or paternal traits. eg: The colour, height, body stature etc are influenced by heredity. Also occurance of certain diseases like colour blindness, diabetes etc has familial tendencies. The environmental factors also play impact on growth and development. The fresh air, chemical free environment, nutritious diet etc leads to a healthy growth and development. eg: infants who suffer passive smoking can become an asthmatic child. The pathophysiology of aging also has the effect of genetic and environmental factors. Some people are prone to be diabetic genetically, become diabetics than those who are not prone to be diabetic. diseases like cancer, heart disease, hypertension etc take such genetic effect on people in old age. The environmental factors like less stress, healthy diet, less pollution, sufficient exercise etc decrease the pace of aging.
5. Growth and development occurs in a predictable pattern, but may vary according to the individual child: Each child goes through a predictable pattern of growth and development, like neonatal period follows infancy and then toddler period etc. But the development occurs on an individual pace. Some infants start sitting by 8 months, standing by 10 months and walks by one year of age.But not all children follow this same time period, some may sit by 7 months stand by 1 year, and walk by 16 months. So the influence of individuality is always there. Eg: Some girls attains menarche by 13 years, but some others by 16 years. So there is an individual difference in the growth. Also in the development part also this is seen. The aging also has individual differences. If we observe a group of 60 year olds, some may look 70, some may be diabetic on medications, some may be unable to walk, but there will be people who look 50 years, energetic and active. So the aging is an individual process like growth and development.
6. Certain stages of growth and development are very critical: After conception, the first three months of fetal life is very critical, as most of the fetal parts develop during this period. Any hindrance to this development,(like radiations, drugs, chemicals,infections) can lead to life long disability to the child in later life, or may cause death of the fetus. during aging also, if certain infections happen , may cause lethal effects on the person eg: respiratory infections etc. The aging person may not be having the immune system as that of normal adult, immune system function diminishes. So aging people are prone to many infections and that may fasten the pathological process of aging.
7. Growth and development is gradual: Growth and development doesn't occur all of a sudden, its a gradual step by step process, though some steps are quick and some others are slow. Same way, aging also is a gradual process, all of a sudden it won't happen. The person goes through a variety of physical and physiologic changes as age advances. The damage to organs also happens on a gradual level, cell damage, organ damage, to organ system damage and ultimately dysfunctioning of the body.