DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ADULT AND CHILD

There are a many differences between children and adults like physiological, anatomical, cognitive, social and emotional. These all impact on the way of illness and disease present in children and young people, as well as the way healthcare is provided. Adult have completed period of growth and development and in children growth and development ongoing So as nurses it is necessary to understand these differences to deliver the care accordingly.

1. Difference
Between
Adult and Child

Mr. Mahaveer Swarnkar
Associate Professor
M.Sc. Nursing

2. CHILDREN ARE NOT LI
ADULTS

Children and adults differ physically and

mentally.

These all impact on the way of Illness And

Disease

As a Nurses it is necessary to learn the
differences to deliver the care accordingly.

3. CLASSIFICATIC

Anatomic & Physiologic difference
Systemic difference

Psychological Differences

Pathologic changes
cial & emotional development

ognitive development

4. ANATOMIC & PHYSIOLOGIC
DIFFERENCE

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5. eChildren size changing
according Age

«So require different size of bed
or other item (like pillow,
medication cup etc) for

children according to age or

6. Incomplete
ossification

7. SYSTEMIC
DIFFERENCE

My Body Systems

8. ¢ Thinner skin- Risk for increased absorption of agents that can be
absorbed through the skin.
» Sweat gland - small and non- functional till preschool years

9. |
Gl,

MOUTH::-

Temporaryteeth present and oral muscles
are immature

Nasal and oral airway- small - prone to
airway obstruction.

Nose breathers till 6 months

10. YOUNGER CHILD OLDER CHILD/ADULT

EUSTACHIAN TUBE::-

« Itis short and straight in
children (10 degree in
Children

« Air sinuses are not fully
developed

« Sore throat extends to otitis
media because of the
closeness of it to throat

11. STOMACH::-

12. IMMATURE HEPATIC FUNCTION:-

1. Physiological jaundice.
2. less Production of

+ Albumin

° clotting factors

* vitaminK

3. Iron reserve is less.

13. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

1. Rate :-30- 60 breath/min
2. Less mucus production . [Older children produce mucus]

3. Nasal and oral airway passages small- Prone to airway
obstruction.

6. Trachea-Short and narrow

Children are not small adults

14. CARDIO VASCULAR SYSTEM

1. Heart Rate:-100-160 beats/min
2. at birth fetal circulation to
normal circulation.

15. HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM

. BLOOD VOLUME: Neonate- 85 |60-70 ml/kg of BW.
ml/kg of BW

1. Life Span of RBC are 60-90 days. 100-120 days.
1. New-born RBC are Microcytic. Macrocytic

16. 1. Immature kidneys reduced filtrate &
concentrate urine.

2. GFR- 38 ml/ min (neonate) & 125 ml/min
(adult)

Involuntary urination
Bladder capacity is too less.
Influenced by stress

17. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The Endocrine System

1. The endocrine glands which secrete
hormones are least developed at
birth

2. Adrenal glands are small and have
limited functions. SO homeostatic
control is lacking till the age of 12-18
months

18. REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

GIRL

1. Ovaries in a baby girl are approximately 10 mm in length €
2-4 mm in width.

2. Functioning of ovary started at the age of 12-13 years of
age.

3. Faulty development of ovaries leads to precocious puberty
or delayed puberty

BOY

1. Testes in male baby, at birth are 1.5-2 cm long & 0.7-1 cm
wide.

2. The size of testes increases gradually & reaches maturity
between 13-17 years.

19. SCULOSKELE STEM

BONE

children's bones are growing; adults' bones have stopped growing
Immaturity and inadequate ossification of bone so fractures rarely occur in infants & if it
all they occur, healing is very quick
In children height increases as bones grow

MUSCLES

Muscles are 25% of weight in infants . it is 40%
in adult.
In children muscles and ligaments are weak or
immature

20. NERVOUS SYSTEM

1. Weight- neonates 300-500 grams. adult
1,300 - 1,400 grams.

2. 90% of brain grow till 2 years of age.

3. Reflex activities that are present during
infancy.

4. Immature blood-brain barriers

21. TEMPERATURE REGULATION::
Immaturity of the
hypothalamus- result Poor
Thermo regulation

Shivering and sweating
mechanisms are absent in
newborn.

Brown adipose tissue in
newborn:- Reserve of brown
fat from which heat can be
liberated by non shivering
thermogenesis .

22. VOLUNTARY CONTROL::
No voluntary control over the environment or activity.
( Eg .) On cold day adult used to wear socks, woolen clothes etc.
but the child depends on the care takers.

23. EYES: -

lacrimal gland immature - No
tear formation in early infancy-
due to immature lacrimal
gland.

VISION:- Eyes are anatomically
not mature, so not able to
function.

ra

Zas =

24. Mahaveer Swarnkar

LYMPHOID &IMMUNE SYSTEM

1. lymphoid tissue is small but well developed at birth.
2. It increase rapidly in size up to the age of 10-11 years
3. Immature immune system

25. Mahaveer Swarnkar

PSYCHOLOGICA
D

26. PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES-

1. Mental life and habit of children are different from adult
2. Children do not understand danger
3. According age children show different psychological state
such as
+ Fear, escape and avoid strangers
+ More bonding with parents & Separation anxiety is very
common.
« Short attention span, easily distract able.

27. PATHOLOGIC CHANGES-

1. IMBALANCE OF FLUID & ELECTROLYE - Child lose fluid
easily as compared to adults. in conditions like diarrhea ,
vomiting , burns etc - Child get dehydrate easily.

2. RESISTANCE TO DISEASES - The baby gets immunity from
mother which helps the baby fight against infections for
first 3 months of life.

3. Sign & symptoms of disease in children are different from
adults.

28. SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. children have lack of Social and emotional capabilities that
are better developed in adult

2. Children may be very self centered.

3. Children give importance to their own needs and interests
above those of others.

4. By the time child get older they become familiar with the
concept of empathy and develop their own personality with
individual character traits and personal preferences.

29. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT-

As children grow older Other side an adult has
show different level mature thinking and better
cognitive abilities such as understanding with the world
knowledge, skills, problem around them.

solving and decision, which

help children to understand

the world around them.

30. Thank
you