Characteristics of the newborn baby Robyn Smith Department of Physiotherapy University of Free State 2012

FOETAL DEVELOPMENT 2

Motor System  Motor development starts in utero  Child is in an enclosed space with well defined boundaries to support the development of physiological flexion and muscle tone  Physiological flexion is essential to the development of normal posture and movement control  Starts developing between /52  Good quality, alternating random movements in utero

Sensory Development  Sensory system infant is active by 24/52  cannot modulate sensory information until 35/52  Sensory system includes tactile, vestibular, olfactory, auditory and visual systems

Neurological System  Neurological system starts developing from 3 weeks gestation  Includes later neuronal pruning, organization and myelinisation  Neurological development continues into early childhood  Initially at birth the neural control centra is located in the brainstem and spinal cord.As the brain matures the higher cetra such as the midbrain and especially the cortex take control

Neurosocial behaviour <32/52 gestation overwhelmed by stimuli and unable to maintain a quiet alert state 35/52 more stable, gaining weight, behavioural responses more organized. ≤ 36/52, child able self soothe and behaviour is predictable

NEWBORN INFANT 7

8 Newborn baby Physiological flexion at birth Flexor recoil limbs Symmetrical posture Likes to have “boundaries” e.g. swaddling Looses heat easily (difficulty thermoregulating) due to the relatively large surface area in relation size Baby spends most of the day sleeping, and wakes to feed

Newborn baby Primitive reflexes: –Present – including rooting, sucking, automatic stepping moro, grasp and startle –Reflexes have an important role initially in terms of the birth process, survival and protection 9

Newborn Baby Motor: –Repertoire of random movements : moving of limbs rhythmic and alternating (more reflexive) –PTS: complete lag –Prone turns head to clear airway (lift head 30 o ) –Ventral and oblique suspension: no righting –Sits with flexed spine and with maximal support –Grasp reflexive 10

Newborn baby Vision: focus on moms face, Little interest in objects 11

References Images courtesy of GOOGLE Images (2010) Lubbe, W Little Steps: low-tech, high impact care manual for healthcare professionals Mayhew, A & Price, F Motor control in developmental neurology. Poutney, T (Ed). In Physiotherapy for children. Elsevier: Edinburough pp Henning, P.A. Die pasgebore baba. Veitch, H & Kriel,H The role of the physiotherapist in the neurodevelopment of the child. A refresher course

References Smith. R Neurodevelopmental assessment Smith, R Neurodevelopmental screening assessment form Smith, R Table for infant development (UFS, class notes unpublished) Smith, R Developmental sequencing (UFS, class notes unpublished)