Infant Heart Development
An infant’s heart begins development by resembling a tube and transforms into a normal heart shape. According to the Franklin Institute, an infant’s heart and fist are almost identical in size at birth and remain similar in size throughout adulthood. There are several significant phases of an infant’s heart development.
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Significance
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Initially, the fetus’ heart is a tube, and as it grows, it twists and bends backward to gain more space. This process is how the familiar human heart shape is developed. During the second phase, the heart is composed of one large ventricle with two partially separated atria. The third phase is characterized by completely separate atria with ventricles that are beginning to separate. The final phase occurs when the ventricles are completely separated, creating an entirely developed four-chambered heart.
Time Frame
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The heart begins developing during the fourth week of pregnancy and is fully developed by the eighth week. Ultrasounds are able to detect a fetal heartbeat as early as Week 5 of pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a fetal heart beat also referred to as a “flutter” may be seen during a vaginal ultrasound as early as 5½ to 6½ weeks. A stethoscope can be used to detect fetal heartbeats at about Week 20 of pregnancy.
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Identification
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According to the Franklin Institute, an infant’s heart developmental stages are characterized by distinct appearances that are similar to animal hearts. The first phase, characterized by a tube shape, is similar to a fish heart. The second phase, characterized by two chambers, is similar to a frog heart. The third phase, characterized by three chambers, resembles a turtle or snake heart. The final stage, characterized by four chambers, finally resembles the human heart.
Facts
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The Franklin Institute states that within the first weeks after conception, a fetus’ heart inhabits a greater part of the body's midsection region and gradually moves into the chest area during infant development. According to Dr. Laura Jana of Dr.Spock.com, the heart begins beating by the 22nd day of life, or during the fifth week of a traditional 40-week pregnancy.
Expert Insight
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According to the Franklin Institute, the fetus' heart and body size ratio are nine times greater than an infant's. In addition, a human’s heart rate is fastest during infancy, averaging around 120 beats per minute. As the child grows, the heart rate slows, with the average 7-year-old heart rate of about 90. By 18 years of age, the heart rate is stabilized at an average of 70.
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References
- Photo Credit the newborn image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
