Risk for delayed infant motor development

Domain 13. Growth-development
Class 2. Development
Diagnostic Code: 00316
Nanda label: Risk for delayed infant motor development
Diagnostic focus: Motor development

Nursing diagnosis risk for delayed infant motor development is a diagnosis registered by the NANDA International, a nursing education organization that is responsible for defining and establishing the standard for nursing diagnostics. This diagnosis describes an increased risk for infants suffering from difficulty in learning or correctly performing physical skills due to developmental delays. When identifying risk for delayed infant motor development, nurses must consider influencing factors such as family background, environmental influences, and health status.

NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition

The NANDA nursing diagnosis definition of risk for delayed infant motor development is "a state in which an infant is at risk for impaired motor development, resulting in difficulties reaching developmental milestones, such as crawling and walking.” The four components of this definition comprise the behavioural description, the risk factor that caused the incomplete motor development, the outcome of the delay in development, and the target adult population that is most at risk of developing this diagnosis.

Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that may lead to delayed infant motor development, with some research indicating to genetics being the most prominent factor in determining if a child will suffer from these delays. Other risk factors include preterm birth, low birth weight, maternal smoking, low Apgar scores, problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, inadequate nutrition, infection during pregnancy, lack of sufficient stimulation during infancy, maternal alcohol consumption, and certain medications.

At Risk Population

Some populations are at a greater risk for developing delayed infant motor development. Low-income families and those living in poverty are particularly vulnerable due to the limited economic resources and social support available to them. Similarly, those from specific cultural backgrounds that have limited access to healthcare or quality of care are more likely to experience delayed infant motor development. Mental health disorders can also be a factor, with treatment providing an improved outlook for afflicted children.

Associated Conditions

There are a number of associated conditions that can further complicate the diagnosis of delayed infant motor development. These include genetic syndrome, hypotonia, autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. If a baby is found to be at an increased risk of developing motor delays, they should be evaluated for these other disorders as well.

Suggestions of Use

Nurses should use a variety of screening tools, including the ‘Test of Infant Motor Performance’ (TIMP), ‘Ages and Stages Questionnaire Developmental Screening System’ (ASQ), and Early Intervention Developmental Checklist (EIDC), to evaluate and detect any issues early on. They should also provide instruction and support to parents on how to promote their child’s development and proper nutrition. In addition, nurses should monitor growth and development through assessments and track progress with written records.

Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnoses

When evaluating for delayed infant motor development, nurses should also consider alternative diagnoses, such as Risk for Injury and Impaired Physical Mobility. Risk for Injury is a diagnosis that can arise from the lack of physical coordination in infants, which can increase their chances of having accidents or getting injured. Impaired Physical Mobility refers to any physical limitation that affects or reduces the ability to move and can result in pain, mental distress, and disability.

Usage Tips

Nurses should assess infants for risk of delayed motor development early and use a variety of approaches to build a foundation of movement, including interactions, play, and exercise. Nurses can incorporate different activities and recommendations into practice that involve sensory motor development, flexibility, strength and posture, balance, and coordination.

NOC Outcomes

Nurses must remember that NANDA International promotes caring as the core of nursing practice and suggests the use of evidence-based nursing interventions. The following is a list of ‘Nursing Outcomes Classification’ outcomes that management of risk for delayed infant motor development should aim to achieve:

• Movement: A decrease in the time taken for infants to reach gross motor milestones.
• Self-care: Improved abilities to independently perform daily activities, such as rolling over and pushing up.
• Mobility: Increased speed and agility in movements, or the ability to transition easily between positions.
• Activities of Daily Living: Improved ability to perform movement-related activities, such as gliding, jumping, and hopping.
• Gross Motor Skills: Enhanced development of basic motor skills, such as crawling, standing on one foot, walking, and running.

Evaluation Objectives and Criteria

Evaluation objectives for assessing risk of delayed infant motor development help to identify young children who may be at risk for cognitive, social-emotional, and/or physical developmental delays. The following criteria should be used to measure progress and evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions:

• gross motor milestones attained,
• total physical activity observed,
• changes in gross motor strength (range of motion and coordination),
• parent/caregiver report of normal developmental progress, and
• standardized age appropriate functional assessments.

NIC Interventions

Specific interventions used in the management of risk for delayed infant motor development will depend on the infant’s presenting signs and symptoms. ‘Nursing Interventions Classification’ interventions that may be beneficial include:

• Therapeutic Exercise: Helping the infant attain the targeted range of motion and strength exercises that enhance development.
• Developmental Play Facilitation: Engaging the infant in activities that support healthy physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development.
• Parent Teaching: Teaching parents strategies to promote their infant’s motor development.
• Body Mechanics: Promoting body alignment and developing the ability to move in patterns and with coordination.
• Potion Therapy: Utilizing positioning techniques to enhance postural control, muscle strength, and joint movement.

Nursing Activities

Nurses are responsible for executing various activities to promote the management of risk for delayed infant motor development. This should include assessments to identify the infant’s level of development, teaching parents proper techniques to encourage development, planning and implementing proper physical exercises, providing emotional support to the infant and parent, and connecting them to relevant community resources.

Conclusion

Prompt recognition and documentation of risk for delayed infant motor development is vital to providing accurate and timely interventions that promote development. Early detection of the disorder offers parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers the opportunity to increase the infant's chances of success. To ensure the best possible outcome, nurses should assess, monitor, and intervene as needed.

FAQs

• What is Nursing Diagnosis Risk for Delayed Infant Motor Development? Nursing diagnosis risk for delayed infant motor development is a diagnosis registered by the NANDA International, a nursing education organization that is responsible for defining and establishing the standard for nursing diagnostics. This diagnosis describes an increased risk for infants suffering from difficulty in learning or correctly performing physical skills due to developmental delays.
• What are the risk factors for developing delayed infant motor development? Several risk factors can contribute to delayed infant motor development, including preterm birth, low birth weight, maternal smoking, low Apgar scores, problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, inadequate nutrition, infection during pregnancy, lack of sufficient stimulation during infancy, maternal alcohol consumption, and certain medications.
• Which populations are at a greater risk for developing delayed infant motor development? Populations that are particularly at risk for developing delayed infant motor development include low-income families, individuals from certain cultural backgrounds, and those suffering from mental health disorders.
• What associated conditions can further complicate delayed infant motor development? Associated conditions that can further complicate delayed infant motor development include genetic syndrome, hypotonia, autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
• How can nurses manage risk for delayed infant motor development? Nurses should assess infants early on, use screening tools, provide instruction and support to parents, monitor growth and development, and incorporate activities and recommendations into practice that involve sensory motor development, flexibility, strength and posture, balance, and coordination.