Question

What is the physiological variations of the musculoskeletal system at each of the key developmental stages: newborn, infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. Pick one developmental age and discuss one screening test and interpretation.

Answer 1

Ans. Physiological Variations of the Musculoskeletal System at Key Developmental Stages.

Age-Group, Variation

Preterm infant and newborn :- Lower extremities in external rotation and flexion at hips; upper femur is anteverted and knees are flexed; tibias are internally rotated; feet are dorsiflexed

Infancy :- Tibias gradually rotate externally to about 20 degrees toward midline by 12 months of age; flat feet and bowed legs until walking is firmly established

Early childhood :- Stance with wide base of support, hyperflexion of hips and knees with disjointed (toddling) pattern when walking; arms held abducted and elbows extended; in-toeing is common beginning at 15 months; normal arm swing and heel-toe walking generally begin by 18 months of age; longitudinal arch not present in infant but begins to develop by 2½ years of age. At 3 years of age, children exhibit mature pattern of motion and muscle action; resolution of in-toeing and marked torsion of lower extremities normally disappear by school entry

Middle childhood :- Knock-knee is present until 7 years of age; by 8 to 10 years of age, femur rotates to position of about 14 degrees toward midline from average of 45 degrees at birth

Adolescence :- Hormonal changes impact ligaments and tendons; laxity of knees is particularly common in adolescent females, making them vulnerable to injury.

Development tests have different purposes depending on the age of the child and may be administered under a variety of circumstances. They are designed according to the expected skills of children at a specific age. The tests range from the passive evaluation of an infant to the complex testing of adolescent.

Many daycare centers and preschools use development tests. Most schools administer school readiness tests before admission. Many states and metropolitan school districts have devised or adapted their own development tests to be administered by schools. Development tests are also used to identify specific social or academic problems.

Developmental assessments usually combine standardized tests and observations to cover all aspects of a child's development, including the following:

motor skills

language development

mental development

social/emotional development

self-help skills, including dressing and toileting

The types of developmental assessment include:

Developmental screening to identify children with special needs or who may be at risk for developmental delays or school difficulty .

Diagnostic evaluation, if indicated by the screening, to confirm the presence and extent of a disability.

Readiness tests to assess a child's specific skills and information.

Observational and performance assessments to provide ongoing information about a child's development.