Delayed growth and development is a condition where a child fails to meet expected physical, cognitive, emotional, or social developmental milestones for their age group. This nursing diagnosis focuses on identifying factors affecting growth and development, implementing interventions to support optimal development, and preventing further delays.
Causes (Related to)
Delayed growth and development can be influenced by various factors that affect a child’s progression:
- Biological factors including:
- Genetic disorders
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Chronic illnesses
- Endocrine disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Environmental factors such as:
- Limited stimulation
- Poverty
- Neglect
- Social isolation
- Limited access to healthcare
- Poor nutrition
- Psychological factors including:
- Emotional trauma
- Attachment issues
- Family dysfunction
- Mental health conditions
Signs and Symptoms (As evidenced by)
Proper identification of signs and symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and intervention planning.
Subjective: (Parent/Caregiver reports)
- Delayed milestone achievement
- Difficulty with age-appropriate tasks
- Speech or language delays
- Social interaction challenges
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioral concerns
- Feeding problems
- Sleep disturbances
Objective: (Nurse assesses)
- Below average height/weight for age
- Delayed motor skills development
- Poor muscle tone or coordination
- Limited social engagement
- Delayed cognitive responses
- Impaired communication skills
- Poor attention span
- Abnormal growth patterns
Expected Outcomes
Success in managing delayed growth and development is indicated by:
- The child will show progress in meeting developmental milestones
- The child will demonstrate improved growth parameters
- The child will engage in age-appropriate activities
- The family will demonstrate an understanding of developmental support strategies
- The child will show improved social interaction skills
- The child will maintain a consistent growth pattern
- The child will demonstrate enhanced learning abilities
Nursing Assessment
Monitor Growth Parameters
- Track height, weight, and head circumference
- Plot measurements on growth charts
- Document growth velocity
- Compare with age-appropriate standards
- Note any pattern changes
Evaluate Developmental Progress
- Assess gross motor skills
- Evaluate fine motor abilities
- Check language development
- Monitor social interactions
- Document cognitive abilities
Assess Nutritional Status
- Review dietary intake
- Monitor feeding patterns
- Check for nutritional deficiencies
- Document eating behaviors
- Evaluate caloric needs
Review Environmental Factors
- Assess home environment
- Evaluate family dynamics
- Check access to resources
- Document social support
- Monitor stimulation opportunities
Screen for Complications
- Monitor for associated health issues
- Check for sensory impairments
- Assess for learning difficulties
- Document behavioral concerns
- Evaluate emotional status
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing Care Plan 1: Growth Pattern Disturbance
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Disturbed Growth Pattern related to nutritional deficiencies and chronic health conditions as evidenced by below-average height/weight for age and delayed developmental milestones.
Related Factors:
- Inadequate nutrition
- Chronic illness
- Metabolic disorders
- Genetic factors
- Hormonal imbalances
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Monitor growth parameters regularly
Rationale: Tracks progress and identifies concerns early - Implement a nutritional support plan
Rationale: Ensures adequate nutrients for growth - Coordinate with the healthcare team
Rationale: Provides comprehensive care approach
Desired Outcomes:
- The child will demonstrate improved growth parameters
- The child will maintain a consistent growth pattern
- The family will understand growth monitoring importance
Nursing Care Plan 2: Developmental Delay
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Delayed Development related to limited environmental stimulation as evidenced by failure to meet age-appropriate developmental milestones.
Related Factors:
- Limited exposure to stimulation
- Lack of learning opportunities
- Social isolation
- Physical limitations
- Environmental constraints
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Provide developmental stimulation activities
Rationale: Promotes skill development - Teach parents enrichment techniques
Rationale: Ensures continued development support - Monitor milestone achievement
Rationale: Tracks developmental progress
Desired Outcomes:
- The child will show progress in developmental skills
- The child will engage in age-appropriate activities
- Parents will demonstrate an understanding of developmental support
Nursing Care Plan 3: Impaired Social Interaction
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Impaired Social Interaction related to developmental delays as evidenced by limited peer engagement and difficulty with social cues.
Related Factors:
- Communication difficulties
- Behavioral challenges
- Limited social opportunities
- Anxiety in social situations
- Developmental delays
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Facilitate social interaction opportunities
Rationale: Promotes social skill development - Teach social skills
Rationale: Improves social competence - Support the family in social situations
Rationale: Builds confidence in social settings
Desired Outcomes:
- The child will demonstrate improved social skills
- The child will engage more with peers
- The child will show increased comfort in social situations
Nursing Care Plan 4: Knowledge Deficit
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Knowledge Deficit related to complex care needs as evidenced by parental uncertainty about supporting a child’s development.
Related Factors:
- Complex medical conditions
- Limited access to information
- Multiple care requirements
- Language barriers
- Educational limitations
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Provide educational resources
Rationale: Increases understanding of care needs - Demonstrate care techniques
Rationale: Ensures proper care delivery - Connect with support services
Rationale: Provides additional resources
Desired Outcomes:
- Parents will demonstrate an understanding of care needs
- The family will access appropriate resources
- Parents will implement learned strategies
Nursing Care Plan 5: Risk for Delayed Learning
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Risk for Delayed Learning related to developmental delays as evidenced by difficulty mastering age-appropriate concepts.
Related Factors:
- Cognitive delays
- Attention difficulties
- Processing challenges
- Learning disabilities
- Environmental factors
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Implement learning support strategies
Rationale: Facilitates educational progress - Coordinate with educational services
Rationale: Ensures appropriate academic support - Monitor learning progress
Rationale: Tracks educational development
Desired Outcomes:
- The child will show improved learning abilities
- The child will demonstrate academic progress
- The child will develop effective learning strategies
References
- Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Makic, M. B., Martinez-Kratz, M. R., & Zanotti, M. (2023). Nursing diagnoses handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
- Aker S, Şahin MK, Kınalı Ö, Şimşek Karadağ E, Korkmaz T. The attitudes of family physicians toward a child with delayed growth and development. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2017 Sep;18(5):411-418. doi: 10.1017/S1463423617000263. Epub 2017 May 5. PMID: 28473004.
- Gibson A, Carney S, Wales JK. Growth and the premature baby. Horm Res. 2006;65 Suppl 3:75-81. doi: 10.1159/000091510. Epub 2006 Apr 10. PMID: 16612118.
- Silvestri, L. A. (2023). Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
- Yan, L., Wang, Y., Zhang, Z., Xu, S., Ullah, R., Luo, X., Xu, X., Ma, X., Chen, Z., Zhang, L., Lv, Y., & Du, L. (2019). Postnatal delayed growth impacts cognition but rescues programmed impaired pulmonary vascular development in an IUGR rat model. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 29(12), 1418-1428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2019.08.016
