Community Health Chapter 7

Maternal, Infant and Child Health

the health of women of childbearing age and that of the child up to adolescence

Family planning

determining the preferred number and spacing of children and choosing the appropriate means to accomplish it

Title X

a portion of the Public Health Service Act of 1970 that provides funds for family planning services for low income people

Gag rule

regulations that barred physicians and nurses in clinics from receiving federal funds from counseling clients about abortions

Roe vs. Wade

1973 Supreme Court decision that made it unconstitutional or state laws to prohibit abortions in the first trimester for any reason and placed restrictions on the conditions under which states could regulate them in the second trimester

Prenatal health care

medical care provided to a pregnant woman from the time of conception until the birth process occurs

Low birth weight infant

<2500 grams or 5.5 lbs at birth

Fetal alcohol syndrome

a group of abnormalities that may include growth retardation, abnormal appearance of face and head, and CNS deficits including mental retardation, in babies born to mothers who have consumed heavy amounts of alcohol during their pregnancies

Sudden infant death syndrome

sudden unanticipated death of an infant in whom, after examination, there is no recognized cause of death

categorical programs

programs available only to people who can be categorized into a group based on specific values

WIC

a special supplemental food program for women, infants and children sponsored by the USDA

Family and Medical Leave Act

(FMLA) federal law that provides up to a 12-week unpaid leave to men and women after the birth of a child, an adoption, or an event of illness in the immediate family

Trend in infant mortality rates in the US in the last 15 years

declining

Current infant mortality rate

substantial disparity btw white and black infant mortality rates (2x); 6.4 infant deaths per 1000 live births

Percentage of births to unmarried women

rising over the past several decades but w/slight decline in the past couple of years

infant mortality rate compared w/other countries

ranked 27th; we have a much higher rate than other industrialized nations

Why is prenatal care so important for mothers and infants?

women who receive early and continuous care have better pregnancy outcomes; no prenatal care = 3x more likely to have low birth weight

What types of services are included in prenatal care?

tests performed on mother and fetus to assess potential risks; treat any maternal or fetal complications; monitor growth and development of the fetus; counseling and guidance

What are the consequences of teen pregnancy to the mother?

social and financial burden; more likely to result in serious health consequences; more likely to smoke; more at risk for pregnancy complications like preterm delivery, anemia, high BP; live in poverty, drop out of school, rely on public assistance

What are the consequences of teen pregnancy to the infant?

more likely to result in serious health consequences; more likely to have preterm birth or low weight; more likely to die during first year of life

What are the consequences of teen pregnancy to the community?

teenage mothers are more likely to live on public assistance and live in poverty, becoming a financial burden; more costs associated w/health care, foster care, criminal justice, public assistance

What is included in family planning?

preconception education, good gynecological and maternal health care; providing contraception and screening for sexually transmitted infections; sterilization;

Title X is the only federal program dedicated solely to funding family planning...TRUE or FALSE

TRUE

Why is family planning important?

parenthood requires sop much time, energy and financial commitment, willingness to take full responsibility for child's growth and development; reduces unwanted pregnancies and their consequences; increases preconception health for both women and men;

Why was the Roe v Wade decision so important?

the number of women dying from illegal abortions has diminished sharply during the last 3 decades in the US, decision concluded that an unborn child is not a person and therefore has no rights under the law

infant mortality as a measure of a nations health

associated w/maternal health, quality of access to medical care, socioeconomic conditions and public health practices

decreases in infant mortality

economic growth, improved sanitation, advanced clinical care, improved access to health care, and better nutrition

neonatal mortality

deaths occurring in the first 28 days after birth, account for ~2/3 infant deaths

common causes of postneonatal deaths

SIDS, congenital birth defects & accidents

premature birth

before 37 weeks

risks of induced pregnancy

stronger, more painful contractions, infections, changes in the baby's heart rate, uterine rupture, needing a C section; increase in labor induction over the past 2 decades

low birth weight

<5.5 lbs (2/3 were born premature)

IUGR

intrauterine growth restriction

causes of IUGR

low maternal weight, poor nutrition during pregnancy; birth defects; use of drugs; cigarettes and alcohol; maternal health problems; placental or umbilical cord abnormalities; having multiples

average birth weight

7.5 lbs

factors governing infant birth weight

duration of gestation, intrauterine growth rate

What are the leading causes of death in children ages 1-4?

unintentional injuries, congenital anomalies, homicide

What are the leading causes of death in children ages 5-14?

unintentional injuries, malignant neoplasms, congenital abnormalities

Why are childhood immunizations so important?

preventable diseases are more common and more deadly among infants and children, infectious diseases still account for many deaths among children, community safeguards its children against the potentially devastating effects of vaccine-preventable disease

Why is health insurance important for women, infants and children?

provides access to critical preventative medical services and acute medical care in the case of illness or injury

Name 3 groups that are advocates for the health of children and what they have done to show their support

1. Children's Defense Fund: educate the nation about the needs of children and encourage preventive investment
2. United Nations Children's Fund: improve child conditions through community based services, water sanitation, mass vaccinations
3. American Ac

Title V

the only federal legislation dedicated to promoting and improving the health of our nations mothers and children

How many pregnancies in the US are unintended?

1/2

Sleeping on the back rather than the stomach greatly increases the risk of SIDS among healthy/full term infants

FALSE

leading cause of mortality in children

unintentional injuries

Leading modifiable cause of low-birth weight during pregnancy

cigarette smoking

majority of unintentional deaths in children are the result of:

Motor vehicle crashes

Factors that can affect an infants health

family income, mother's health during pregnancy, breastfeeding vs. not breastfeeding, prenatal care

What does child maltreatment include?

physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and other types of maltreatment like abandonment, exploitation, and threats/harm to the child

Name 3 steps of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative to promote breastfeeding

1. have a written breastfeeding plicy
2. show women how to breastfeed even if they cant see their infant
3. do not give pacifiers or artificial nipples to infants who are breastfeeding
4. establish breastfeeding support groups
5. start w/in 1 hr of delive