Paediatrics in GP Flashcards
What are centile charts useful for?
Plotting change in height, weight, head circumference etc over time.
What is it important to do with growth charts?
Look at the pattern over time, not just assume that a low centile is always pathological.
What BMI centile suggests a child may be obese?
Above 91st centile is overweight, above 98th is obese.
What could a BMI below 2nd centile suggest?
Small build or undernutrition
A mother brings in a child with concerns that they are too small.
What questions should be asked in the history?
- Diet and eating habits
- Weight progression over time
- Parental height
- Medical history
- School performance
- Other symptoms
If a child is eating too much or too little, who could be fueling this?
Child themselves, or the parents
What factors contribute to childhood obesity?
- Dietary habits
- Exercise
- Sleep
- Genetics
- Socio-economic status
- Medication
- Concurrent health conditions
What is the worst dietary habit that leads to obesity in children?
Fast food that is high in fat and fast carbohydrates
How does sleep contribute to childhood obesity?
Sleep deprivation due to and causing reduced physical exercise, also causes increased hunger due to increased letin and ghrelin production.
What medications can contribute to childhood obesity?
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
- Antipsychotics
- Lithium
- Corticosteroids
What concurrent medical conditions can increase risk of childhood obesity?
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s
- GH deficiency
- PCOS
- Spina bifida
What are growth and weight faltering defined as?
Weight or length/height crossing down through the centiles, weight low for height, or not catching up from low birth weight.
What age should be used for premature babies on growth charts?
Corrected age for degree of prematurity
When should a premature baby reach normal:
- Head circumference
- Weight
- Height
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 40 months
Which conditions use different growth charts to normal children?
Down’s syndrome and Turner syndrome