This document discusses the concept of child health in pediatrics. It defines pediatrics as the branch of medicine dealing with the care of children from conception through adolescence, focusing on preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care. Key factors that affect child health include maternal health, family health, socioeconomic situation, environmental factors, social support and access to healthcare facilities. Maternal health and nutrition, as well as family size, relationships, and stability can all impact a child's development and vulnerability to health problems.

1. BY JOSY JOMON
M.SC NURSING (PEDIATRICS)
VICE- PRINCIPAL, MEERUT NURSING COLLEGE

2. CONCEPT OF CHILD HEALTH
The term pediatric derived from the geek
words, ‘pedia’ means child, ‘iatric’ means
branch of science.
Thus, Pediatrics means the science of
child care and scientific treatment of
childhood disease.

3. DEFINITION
Pediatrics can be defined as the
branch of medical science that deals
with the care of children from
conception to adolescence in health
and illness…

4. It is concerned with
preventive,promotive, curative and
rehabilitative care for the children.

5. WHY DO YOU NEED CHILD
HEALTH?
Children are major consumers of health
care.
In India, about 35% of total population are
children below 15years of age.
They are vulnerable to various health
problems and considered as a special group.

6. FACTORS AFFECTING CHILD
HEALTH
Maternal health
Family health
Socioeconomic situation
Environmental factors
Social support
Health care facilities.

7. MATERNAL HEALTH
 It is a major determinant of child health
 The healthy mother brings forth a healthy baby
with better chance of survival.
 Child health is adversely affected, if the mother is
malnourished or diseased.
 Mother’s age,parity,prepregnant health, antenatal
care and lack of spacing between two child affect
the health of the child.

8. FAMILY HEALTH
It depends upon family’s physical and social
environment which includes the life
style,culture,customs,taboos,rituals,religiou
s practices, traditional habits etc……
Family size, family relationship and family
stability also influence the child health.

9. Socioeconomic condition of the
family
 This is very important factor in child health
 The physical and intellectual development of children
varies with the socioecnomic status of the family.
 Parents education,profession,income,housing,urban or
rural living, industrial life,etc are significant factors
which influence on child health.
 Poverty,ignorance,superstition,illiteracy especially
mother’s illiteracy and sickness pass from one generation
to next.

10. Environmental factors
 It plays very great role as determinats of
childhood and infant and childhood morbidity
and mortality.
 Insanitary and hostile environment are
responsible for various illnesses like
infections,infestations,acccidents etc.
 Home and family hygeine, local epidemiological
conditions, insufficient supply of safe water,
inadequate disposal of human excreta and other
waste …..

11. Healthy environmental stimulation as
interpersonal relationship.
Congenial family relationship.
Healthy interaction with neighbours,
teachers, schoolmates and playmates.
Exposure to mass media like
radio,television,magazines

12. Social support
Measures from the community and
organized health care systems are
indispensible for improvement and
maintenance of health status of
children.