This document provides an introduction to the course "Introduction to Paediatrics and Child Health". It discusses the course content and objectives, continuous assessment methods, definitions of paediatrics and child health, key differences between paediatric patients and adults, and recommended literature. The course content is divided into 4 parts covering general paediatrics, neonatology, child health services and diseases by system, and clinical skills. The objectives are focused on history taking, examination, investigations, management and health promotion skills for paediatric patients. Continuous assessment includes exams and quizzes. Paediatrics involves the medical care of infants and children up to age 18, while child health encompasses physical, psychological, cognitive and social well-being

1. INTRODUCTION TO PAEDIATRICS
AND CHILD HEALTH
Walesa Ikowa

2. Contents
• Course content and objectives
• Continuous assessment
• Definitions
• Difference between paediatric population and adults
• Recommended literature

3. Course content
• Has 4 parts
• Part A : Introduction to General Paediatrics
• Part B : Introduction to Neonatology
• Part C : Child health services and diseases by systems
• Part D : Clinical skills

4. Objectives
•Take a detailed paediatric patient history
•Perform physical examination on a paediatric
patient
•Order and interpret investigations appropriately
•State causes of common paediatric conditions

5. Objectives
• Identify abnormalities of growth and development in
children
• Manage patients with paediatric conditions correctly
• List activities/components of child health services
• Demonstrate ability to manage child health services
• Give health education and promotion

6. Continuous assessment
• 3 end of term examinations
• 3 quizzes
• 1 final theory examination
• 1 final osce examination

7. What is paediatrics and child health?

8. Paediatrics
• Pediatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the health and
medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the
age of 18.
• The word “paediatrics” means “healer of children”
• They are derived from two Greek words: (pais = child) and (iatros =
doctor or healer)
• Age cut off is 16 years in Zambia
• Other countries go up to 18 and 21 years old.

9. Child health
• It includes all aspects of physical, psychological,
cognitive, and social functioning as they express
themselves in children's daily activities and behavior.

11. Overview of paediatrics – Areas of Importance
• Diagnosing and treating disease
• Growth and development
• Nutrition
• Immunization

13. Pediatric History
• Taken 2nd hand, from caregiver
• Some symptoms maybe nonspecific – eg crying, vomiting, diarrhea
• Sequence is not followed sometimes
• 4 extra histories
• Feeding
• Antenatal, natal, neonatal
• Developmental
• Immunization

14. Pediatric examination
• Rapport important
• Do not follow set sequence, leave unpleasant parts to the end
• Some signs are different in children – eg palpable liver, brisk tendon
reflexes, extensor plantar
• Sometimes some examinations are just not possible – eg neurological,
percussion, auscultation, JVP, AF
• Abdominal palpation easier
• ENT exam is a must
• Nonspecific signs in younger kids

15. Approach
• Lower threshold for investigation
• Lower threshold for treatment
• Remember, uncommon presentation of a common ailment is more likely
than a rare disease
• Make a list of possibilities, with points for and against
Procedures
• Generally easier, except in the very tiny
• Drips difficult
• Sedation, analgesia may be required for even simple procedures

16. Child Survival Strategies
• Early breast feeds
• Exclusive breast feeds
• Appropriate weaning
• Vaccination
• Antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal care
• Case management of pneumonia and diarrhea

17. Reading Recommendations
• Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB (2013) Nelson’s Textbook of
Pediatrics 18th ed. Philadelphia: Sanders Publishers.
• Marcdante K, et al. (2011) Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics 6th ed.
Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
• Prajapati B (2003) Essential Procedures in Pediatrics. New Delhi:
Jaypee Brothers.
• ZNPHI guidelines
• UTH Paediatrics protocols

18. Questions