12. Paediatric Adolescent Health Flashcards

1
Q

What is Adolescence?

A

Transition from Dependence on Parents to an Independent, Self-Reliant Adult

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2
Q

What Changes is Adolescence Characterised by?

A
  1. Physical Changes
  2. Emotional Changes
  3. Behavioural Changes
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3
Q

What happens to the Brain during Adolescence?

A

Significant Brain Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex

Note - Demonstrated by Functional MRI

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4
Q

What happens to the Prefrontal Cortex in Adolescence?

A

Use it or Lose it, Rapid Growth of Grey Matter followed by Pruning of Synapses and Connections:

  1. Brain becomes more efficient and so loses Synapses
  2. Grey Matter Becomes White Matter
  3. Areas involved in Basic Functions mature (into White Matter) First
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5
Q

What are Actions more likely to be Guided by in Earlier Stages of Adolescence?

A

Amyglada - Emotional / Impulsive Part of the Brain

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6
Q

What are the Functions of the Pre-Frontal Cortex?

A
  1. Decision Making
  2. Planning / Organising
  3. Reasoning
  4. Controlling Emotion / Behaviour
  5. Abstract Thinking
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7
Q

What Social Development Changes occur in Adolescence?

A
  1. Developing Self-Identity
  2. Seeking Independence and Responsibility
  3. Greater Focus on Peer Groups
  4. Start to Develop / Explore Sexual Identity
  5. Increased Engagement in Risk-Taking Behaviours
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8
Q

What Emotional Well-Bring Changes occur in Adolescence?

A
  1. Period of New / Intense Emotions
  2. May have Difficulty Regulating Emotions
  3. Mental Health Problems are common:
  4. a) Anxiety / Depression
  5. b) Conduct Disorder
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9
Q

Why does Adolescence impact on Healthcare?

A
  1. Struggle to Self-Manage Treatment Tasks
  2. Illness-Related Conflict
  3. Embarrassment / Self-Consciousness
  4. Risk Taking / Testing Boundaries
  5. Question Validity of Advice / Diagnosis / Treatment
  6. Deterioration in Health Related Markers
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10
Q

How is Diabetes affected in Adolescence?

A

Resentment of Treatment / Complex Management leads to Increased HbA1C
Note - Psychological Difficulties are common (Anxiety / Depression)

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11
Q

How is Kidney Disease affected in Adolescence?

A

Highest Graft Failure Rates due to Challenges with Self-Management

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12
Q
  1. How might Adolescents appear in Hospital?

2. What might this Reflect?

A
  1. a) Disinterested / Disengaged
  2. b) To Disregard Advice
  3. c) “Dishonest”
  4. d) Oppositional / Non-Compliant
  5. a) Anxiety / Low Mood
  6. b) Bullet-Proof Mindset
  7. c) Avoidance of Difficult Thoughts / Feelings
  8. d) Efforts to Establish Independence
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13
Q

What is the Best Approach to an Adolescent?

A
  1. Language Familial to the Young Person
  2. Respect Young Persons Growing Independence
  3. Think Creatively about how we Engage - e.g. Letters Written to Adolescent and Copied to Parents
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