Birth to Puberty

Developmental Biology : Birth to Puberty

The growth rates of the various body systems are related to their functional importance at each stage of development. The central nervous system and the head develop early and rapidly in utero and in the newborn. By 5 or 6 years, the child has 90 percent of full brain and head-size growth. In contrast, the organs of the reproductive system begin to mature during adolescence.

Various psychosocial and medical factors influence the mother's preparation for the birth of her child and have implications for the infant's development immediately after birth during the perinatal period (through week 4). These include:

• The amount of emotional support the mother experiences during pregnancy and delivery,
• The mother's desire for the pregnancy and her recognition of the developing fetus,
• Who is present at the birth,
• The physical environment of the place of birth, and
• The kinds of medicine used during labor.