FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT

·        Maternal Nutrition

·        Child Nutrition

·        Early Sensory Stimulation

MATERNAL NUTRITION
        Adequate energy intake and diversified diet that includes fruits, vegetables and animal products throughout the life cycle helps ensure that women enter pregnancy and lactation without deficiencies and obtain adequate nutrients during periods of heightened demand.

Consequences of Maternal Malnutrition

Ø  Consequences for maternal health

•       Increased risk of maternal complications and death

•       Increased infection

•       Anemia

•       Lethargy and weakness, lower productivity

Ø  Consequences for fetal and infant health

•       Increased risk of fetal, neonatal, and infant death

•       Intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, prematurity

•       Birth defects

•       Cretinism

•       Brain damage

•       Increased risk of infection

CHILD NUTRITION
           Adequate nutrition contributes to a continuous brain growth, rapid skeletal and muscular development.

Consequences of Child Malnutrition

Ø  Consequences

•       Fatigue, low energy and dizziness.

•       Swollen, bleeding gums and decaying teeth.

•        Underweight, muscle weakness and poor growth.

•        Poor immune function leaving the body vulnerable to infection.

•        Problems with organ function that may lead to disease states such as

          Coronary Heart Disease or Osteoporosis

•        Insulin-resistance resulting from a diet with low nutritional value, high fats and sugar content, can result in Diabetes.

•        Diseases such as Marasmus and Obesity result from under, or over, eating respectively.

•        Poor cognitive functions such as learning memory and attention.

•        Cancer risk is increased by eating certain foods and additives that are high in carcinogens.

SENSORY STIMULATION

•       The impact the environment has on our minds and bodies as we receive information through our five senses.

•        A vital form of stimulation for brain development and early learning.

EARLY SENSORY STIMULATION
           Adequate stimulation received by children have an effect on the infant's growth and development, providing support for the idea that sensory enrichment can improve a baby's weight gain, sensory functioning, and the nervous system organization.

Ø  Factors affecting sensory stimulation

•       Developmental considerations

•       Cultural

•       Personality and lifestyle

•       Stress

•       Illness and Medication

Ø  Sensory Alterations

•       Sensory Deprivation

•       Sensory Overload

•       Cultural Care Deprivation

•       Sensory Deficits