Brain Development

Early Childhood Development Course

Farhana Khatani

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Goal 

To Enhance the knowledge of brain Development In Premature birth .

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Objectives By the end of the session learners would be able to:  Define the term “Premature birth”  Understand the reason of premature birth.  Discuss common associated problems of brain development with prematurity  Explain the common nutritional concerns during early ages hindering growth and development.  Provide anticipatory guidance to parents regarding Nutrition in pregnancy. 3

A Gift from God

Dianne, Autumn's Grandmother

At first glance you were so small I hardy saw a baby at all, with tubes and wires a frightening sight but you were in for a big fight. Not even two pounds just skin and bones, Your body so small with problems so big, but you fought hard and continued to grow. So many fears So many tears You are home now and growing big I love you dear, more than words can say. A miracle baby A gift from God. You showed the world You showed us all. 4

By

Premature Infants who are born before 37 weeks of estimated gestational age.  Also called Preemie  Babies born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams) are considered low birth weight. (About 67 percent of low-birth Weight babies are premature) 

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Factor affecting growth and development in Utero:  Insufficiency

of Folic acid.

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What is folic acid ? Folic acid is a B-vitamin that helps build healthy cells. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development  It helps to replicate DNA, making it especially important during the early phases of fetal development.  Folate deficiency can result in a type of anaemia called megaloblastic anaemia which is a blood disorder characterized by the presence of enlarged immature 

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Cont 

Folate, which is helps to prevent certain serious birth defects of the brain and spine and may help to reduce the risk of having a premature and low-birth weight baby.

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What are the risks of Not taking folic acid? The absence of folic acid increases the possibility of a neural tube defect (NTD)which are defects in the development of the spinal cord  Neural Tube is an important structure that forms at the 5th or 6th weeks of pregnancy will continue to develop during pregnancy to become the brain and spinal cord. In week six, openings in the neural tube close. If these openings do not close properly, abnormalities called Neural tube 

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Abnormalities of the spinal Cord is Spina bifida (Myelomeningocele) The most common permanently disabling birth defect In this baby's spinal canal remains open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back. Because of this opening, both the membranes and the spinal cord protrude at birth, forming a sac on the baby's back. Tissues and nerves are exposed, making Neurological Impairment .

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Spina bifida may have some of the following symptoms: 

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hydrocephalus: a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, which causes the brain to swell paralysis Problems, controlling their bowel movements learning disabilities mental retardation developmental delay

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Reduce the risk of having a low- birth weight baby:

Each year 3- 4 hundred thousand infants worldwide are born with spina bifida . The prevalence is approximately 1-5 per 1000 live births and the risk of recurrence is 23%. More than 95% of cases are contributed by the first affected pregnancies . (Tele Health Research group , Oct 2005).

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Dietary recommendations for folate

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Caution: 

Birth Weight alone is an adequate measure of Fetal Growth

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References Maroney, D.I. (2003). Recognizng the Potential Effect of Stress and Trauma on Premature Infants in the NICU: How Outcomes are Affected? Retrieved on April 6, 2005.  National Survey of Pakistan 1990-94. Islamabad: PMRC, 1998.  Wald NJ. Folic acid and the prevention of neural tube defects. N Engl J Med 2004. 

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Than k You

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