Paediatric Minor Illness Course 20 and 21 October 2025

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.

This session discusses ENT presentations in children in primary care settings.

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 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.

Overview of fever as a common symptom in children and its significance in paediatric healthcare. Understanding the body’s response to infection and other causes of fever in children. Key steps in history-taking and physical examination to determine the cause of fever, including identifying associated symptoms such as rash, vomiting, or lethargy.

In this Spotting the Sick Child session, Dr Sam Thenabadu will guide participants through the critical process of recognising early signs of severe illness in children. This essential webinar focuses on identifying red flags, conducting thorough physical examinations, and understanding the indicators of more serious conditions in paediatric patients. Dr. Thenabadu’s expertise will help healthcare professionals, particularly those in emergency, first contact, and primary care settings, enhance their ability to detect and respond promptly to deteriorating paediatric patients.

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.

This Update by Dr Jai Ghanapathy discusses prescribing in skin conditions for children.