Infant Case Study
Based on the case study of Sam’s case, there are diverse cases that are outlined that may eventually affect the development and growth of Sam. His mother, Jane is a drunkard and before Sam was born, she is depicted to be drinking heavily. This was wrong considering the state of the unborn child. Jane takes the advantage of drinking occasionally throughout the process of pregnancy, however, when her husband Roberto is reassigns from his hob, Jane becomes stressed and during the third trimester of her pregnancy, she indulges in heavy drinking. This is one of the factors that may have effect on the health of Sam. According to research made, when a pregnant mother consumes alcohol, it tends to cross the placenta to the unborn baby and this affects the baby’s and development.
When alcohol reaches the unborn baby, the blood alcohol levels become the same as that of the mother as they share common blood tracts. Mothers are advised stop drinking as alcohol can harm the baby at any stage during the pregnancy. When they stop drinking the health of the baby is improved resulting to health development and growth. As Jane continues with drinking, there is suspicion although there are no underlying proves that Sam has the deficiency of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
At his infant stages, Sam is born six weeks prematurely through the cesarean delivery. The Apgar score of his breathing at the first minute was indicated as five, but after receiving oxygen, the Apgar score improved to eight during the first five minutes. This indicates that Sam’s health is prone to infection and Sam is supported with oxygen assistance through his first few minutes of birth. Due to the prematurity, Sam is forced to stay in the hospital for a period of 72 hours before he is discharged. This means that his health is in a significant circumstance and he requires attention and care through out. Exposure to some factors may lead to serious ailment as his body has low immunity. Due to these conditions, Sam has various complications; he develops to be a fussy eater, who requires short and frequent meals in his feeding. The first two week at home, he wakes up hungry during the nights after a period of every two hours. It is hard for him to sleep through the night an issue that distresses Jane.
Roberto and Jane are not financially stable. This means that they are not able to present for the need of their child. They live in the rural areas whereby they do not have friends and families living nearby who can offer any help. However, Jane’s mother volunteers to live with them for a short time so that she can help Jane take care of the child. This is an important aspect as the life of Sam is assured of protection and with the urge of eating, he has; his parents have the ability of feeding him. Jane is not sure whether to minimize her leave because there are two likely factors that are due to happen, the baby needs her until he regains strength and due to her financial predicaments, she has no other option than getting back to work.
References
International Workshop on the “At Risk” Infant, Harel, S., & Anastasiow, N. J. (1985). The at-risk infant. Baltimore: Brookes.
Esposito, C., Esposito, G., & Albanese, C. T. (2009). Pediatric surgical diseases: A radiologic surgical case study approach. Berlin: Springer.
In Ullmann, L. P., & In Krasner, L. (1965). Case studies in behavior modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Lee, I. W. (1980). Federal regulation of the infant formula industry: A case study. New Haven: s.n..
