Introduction to Paediatrics

Question 1

How are growth charts interpreted?

Answer 1

Growth charts can be used to interpret the growth of a child. There will be a line representing the 50th centile- which is the mean growth for a child of a given age. Each other line on the chart represents a standard deviation away from the mean

Question 2

What are the main physiological differences in children and what are the implications of these?

Answer 2

•Surface area : volume differences
•% water content
•Metabolic reserves
These mean that children more easily get cold, dehydrated and hypoglycaemic

Question 3

How does a baby’s immune system initially develop?

Answer 3

At birth, babies are immune to a number of conditions due to immunoglobulins that have passed over from the mother’s circulation. These immunoglobulins die by ~4 months and the baby starts to build an immune system of their own.

Question 4

What are the main reasons for reduced infant mortality?

Answer 4

Obstetric care
Better housing
Better nutrition
Immunisations