Paediatric Minor Illness Course 18 and 19 November 2024

This workbook is a guidance document for those new to paediatrics

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Importance of understanding developmental milestones in paediatric healthcare.
• Developmental Domains: Overview of physical, cognitive, language, and social/emotional milestones.
• Age-Specific Milestones: Review of key milestones in infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, and school-age children

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Overview of antimicrobial use in paediatric care and the importance of safe prescribing practices.
• Principles of Antimicrobial Prescribing: Factors influencing drug choice, dosing considerations, and duration of treatment for children.
• Common Paediatric Infections: Review of conditions like otitis media, tonsillitis, and urinary tract infections that often require antimicrobials.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship: Discussion of strategies to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and prevent resistance, including delayed prescribing and watchful waiting.

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Importance of ENT health in paediatric care and common presentations.
• ENT Anatomy and Physiology: Overview of the ear, nose, and throat, with a focus on paediatric differences and common issues in children.
• Common ENT Conditions: Detailed review of conditions like otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis, including their clinical features and causes.
• Assessment and Diagnosis: Key history-taking and examination techniques, including the use of otoscopes, throat exams, and symptom review.
• Management Strategies: Pharmacological (e.g., antibiotics, analgesics, antihistamines) and non-pharmacological treatments for managing common ENT conditions.
• Red Flags for Referral: Identifying serious or recurrent conditions, such as hearing loss, airway obstruction, or suspected structural anomalies, that require specialist intervention.
• Caregiver Education: Communicating with families about managing ENT conditions at home, the appropriate use of medications, and when to seek further care.
• Case Studies and Scenarios: Application of knowledge through practical case scenarios focusing on real-life ENT presentations and management strategies.
• Conclusion and Q&A: Recap of key learning points and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

ession Overview:

• Introduction: Overview of diabetes in children, including prevalence and impact on long-term health.
• Pathophysiology of Diabetes: Understanding Type 1 diabetes (autoimmune) and Type 2 diabetes (lifestyle-related), with a focus on paediatric presentations.
• Signs and Symptoms: Identifying the key clinical signs of diabetes, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and weight loss.
• Assessment and Diagnosis: Performing blood glucose testing, understanding HbA1c levels, and recognizing diagnostic criteria for diabetes in children.
• Management of Diabetes: Developing management plans, including insulin therapy, glucose monitoring, and dietary considerations, with a focus on tailoring treatment to individual needs.
• Monitoring and Education: Educating families about insulin administration, recognizing and treating hypo- or hyperglycemia, and ensuring adherence to treatment plans.
• Red Flags and Emergencies: Identifying signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and other complications that require urgent intervention or referral.
• Case Studies and Scenarios: Application of knowledge through real-life case studies focused on managing diabetes in different clinical and home settings.
• Conclusion and Q&A: Recap of key points and an opportunity for participants to ask questions and discuss clinical experiences

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Importance of understanding gastrointestinal conditions in paediatric care.
• Common GI Conditions: Overview of common conditions such as gastroenteritis, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and coeliac disease.
• Assessment of GI Symptoms: Key history-taking and physical examination techniques to identify GI issues in children.
• Management and Treatment: Evidence-based strategies for managing common GI conditions, including rehydration, dietary advice, and pharmacological options.
• Red Flags: Discussion of symptoms that may indicate serious conditions, such as persistent vomiting, blood in stool, or significant weight loss, and when to refer.
• Case Scenarios: Application of learning through case-based discussions, highlighting real-world decision-making in the diagnosis and management of GI conditions.
• Supporting Caregivers: Guidance on effectively communicating with families about symptom management, dietary changes, and when to seek further medical help.
• Conclusion and Q&A: Recap of key concepts and opportunity for participant questions.

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Importance of effective pain assessment and management in paediatric care.
• Types of Pain: Overview of acute, chronic, and procedural pain in children and their potential causes.
• Pain Assessment Tools: Review of age-appropriate tools such as the FLACC scale, Wong-Baker FACES scale, and self-reporting techniques for older children.
• Pharmacological Management: Guidelines for using analgesics, including paracetamol, ibuprofen, and opioids, and considerations for dosing and safety.
• Non-Pharmacological Approaches: Discussion of techniques like distraction, relaxation, play therapy, and cognitive-behavioural strategies for pain management.
• Psychosocial Impact of Pain: Understanding how untreated pain can affect a child’s development, behaviour, and emotional well-being.
• Communicating with Children and Families: Best practices for explaining pain and its treatment to both the child and their caregivers in a way that is reassuring and informative.

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Overview of fever as a common symptom in children and its significance in paediatric healthcare.
• Physiology of Fever: Understanding the body’s response to infection and other causes of fever in children.
• Assessment of Fever: Key steps in history-taking and physical examination to determine the cause of fever, including identifying associated symptoms such as rash, vomiting, or lethargy.
• Red Flags and Serious Illness: Identifying warning signs such as seizures, prolonged fever, or poor feeding that may indicate serious underlying conditions like meningitis or sepsis.
• Management of Fever: Evidence-based approaches for treating fever, including the use of antipyretics (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) and supportive care like hydration and rest.
• Caregiver Education: Strategies for advising caregivers on how to manage fever at home, including dosing instructions for antipyretics and when to seek medical help.

Session Overview:

• Introduction: Overview of asthma and allergic conditions in paediatric care and their impact on children’s health and quality of life.
• Pathophysiology: Understanding the underlying mechanisms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergies.
• Signs and Symptoms: Identifying the key clinical features of asthma and allergies, and assessing the severity of each condition.
• Assessment and Diagnosis: Techniques for diagnosing asthma and allergies, including the use of peak flow meters, spirometry, and allergy testing.
• Management Strategies: Development of individualised management plans for asthma and allergies, including the use of inhalers, corticosteroids, antihistamines, and lifestyle changes.
• Prevention and Education: Educating families about preventing asthma attacks and allergic reactions, including allergen avoidance strategies and emergency care plans.
• Case Studies: Practical scenarios to apply the knowledge of asthma and allergy management, focusing on real-world challenges and solutions.
• Conclusion and Q&A: Summary of session highlights and opportunity for learners to ask questions.