Children's health

Question 1

What are the benefits of breastfeeding (3)

Answer 1

1. contains all of the nutrients a baby requires in the right quantities
2. protects from certain allergies
3. protects from illnesses.

Question 2

What are infant formulas (4)

Answer 2

1. made from specially modified cow’s milk which makes them suitable for babies from birth.
2. Human newborn babies cannot digest ordinary cow’s milk and they should not be given this before they are one year old.
3. Semi-skimmed milk should not be given to children under two years
4. skimmed milk should not be given to children under five years, because they do not contain enough calories or essential vitamins that are required.

Question 3

What is wind (5)

Answer 3

1. very common in babies, particularly those that are bottle-fed
2. usually arises when air is swallowed with the milk.
3. Products containing dimeticone, simeticone, lactase or gripe water are available but there is no evidence of their effectiveness.
4. For bottle-fed babies, keeping the teat full of milk can also minimise the amount of air the baby takes in, as can the use of a larger teat on the bottle.
5. At the end of a feed, babies should be held upright and gently rubbed or patted on the back to bring up any wind.

Question 4

What are the main symptoms of colic (4)

Answer 4

1. intense crying periods
2. crying that lasts several hours
3. the baby’s face becoming red when crying.
4. babies will bring their legs up to their chest in obvious pain and it usually arises at the same times each day and evening.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of teething (5)

Answer 5

1. gums can become sore
2. dribble
3. develop a rash on the cheeks
4. a sore chin.
5. cold and restlessness at night.

Question 6

What can be given for teething (3)

Answer 6

1. Analgesic syrups (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
2. Gentle pressure with something cool
3. Teething gels (lidocaine (Anbesol), bonjela (6m +))

Question 7

What is cradle cap (4)

Answer 7

1. type of dermatitis that causes the baby’s scalp to become scaly and crusty, often with greasy yellow patches.
2. It usually occurs during the first two months of life, and it usually disappears by the time the baby is one years old.
3. It is most commonly found on the crown of the baby’s head – hence ‘cap’ but can also appear on the face, ears, neck, nappy area or in skin folds, such as at the back of the knees and armpits.
4. If it has spread to the face you should refer the parent to the pharmacist.

Question 8

What is used to treat cradle cap (3)

Answer 8

1. unperfumed baby shampoos and emollients.
2. A small amount of emollient can be gently massaged into the scalp at night to soften, loosen and help remove any build up of scale.
3. Occasionally, the cradle cap can become inflamed and infected – usually due to scratching, in which case the baby will need to be referred to a doctor for appropriate treatment.

Question 9

When should cough, colds and stomach pains in children be referred (2)

Answer 9

1. high temperature
2. diarrhoea

Question 10

What are the symptoms of chicken pox (6)

Answer 10

1. blistery rash all over the body
2. A high temperature
3. headache
4. loss of appetite
5. lethargy can also be presented.
6. The most frustrating symptom is the itching associated with the rash.

Question 11

What treatments are there for chicken pox (6)

Answer 11

1. relive the itching
2. liquid
3. gel
4. mousse
5. traditional calamine lotion.
6. You can also offer paracetamol but must NOT supply ibuprofen, as it has been found to cause serious skin infections.