Which of the following is true of growth patterns in infants?

Question

a. Growth during prenatal development is less dramatic than growth during infancy.
b. An infant grows constantly during the first year of life.
c.
An infant’s length increases by one centimeter to one-and-a-half centimeters in the first month of birth.

d.
An infant’s length increases by one-fifth of an inch to a full inch in less than 24 hours.

Answer 1

The correct statement regarding growth patterns in infants is:

c. An infant’s length increases by one centimeter to one-and-a-half centimeters in the first month of birth.

This accurately reflects the expected growth pattern, as infants typically grow about 1 to 1.5 centimeters in length during the first month.

To clarify the inaccuracies in the other statements:

• a. Growth during prenatal development is generally more dramatic than growth during infancy, as we see rapid changes occurring before birth.
• b. While growth is rapid during the first year, it does not occur at a constant rate; it typically involves periods of growth followed by plateaus.
• d. An infant's length does not typically increase by one-fifth of an inch to a full inch in less than 24 hours. The growth is more gradual than that.

Thus, statement c is the most accurate depiction of infant growth patterns.