ABP General Pediatrics study guide
ABP General Pediatrics · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) General Pediatrics Certifying Examination is the computer-based board certification exam for pediatricians seeking initial certification in general pediatrics. It is intended for physicians who have completed the ABP's admission requirements, including medical school graduation, three years of pediatric training in an ACGME-accredited program (or an RCPSC-accredited program in Canada), and a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine. The ABP General Pediatrics study guide has 8 sections and about 2,164 words.
01Growth and Development
Growth and development questions reward a structured approach: measure, plot, compare with the expected trajectory, and ask whether the child is growing and developing in a coherent pattern. Plot length/height, weight, weight-for-length or BMI, and head circumference on the correct chart.
282 words, about 1 min02Preventive Pediatrics
Preventive pediatrics is a high-yield domain because it combines schedules, screening, and counseling. Know the well-child visit schedule, immunization schedule principles, and which screenings occur at which ages: newborn hearing and metabolic screening, developmental and autism screening, vision and hearing screening, lead and anemia screening in at-risk children, lipid screening, and adolescent depression and substance-use screening.
282 words, about 1 min03Behavioral and Mental Health
Behavioral and mental health questions test normal development against pathology, screening, and first-line management. Know the presentation and criteria for ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, eating disorders, elimination disorders, and sleep problems.
274 words, about 1 min04Acute Illness and Emergency Care
Acute care questions reward rapid recognition and prioritized action. Use the pediatric assessment triangle-appearance, work of breathing, circulation-then ABCDE.
257 words, about 1 min05Chronic Illness and Complex Care
Chronic illness and complex care questions focus on the medical home, care coordination, adherence, and transition. Understand family-centered care, shared decision making, and the chronic care model.
273 words, about 1 min06Organ-System Disorders
Organ-system questions are broad, so use a framework: presentation, red flags, first-line tests, and management principles. In cardiology, distinguish innocent murmurs-soft, systolic, positional, asymptomatic-from pathologic murmurs that are diastolic, loud, harsh, associated with clicks, or accompanied by failure to thrive, cyanosis, or exercise intolerance.
264 words, about 1 min07Infectious Diseases
Infectious disease questions test age-based risk, syndrome recognition, and antibiotic stewardship. Know the evaluation of fever without a source: infants younger than 3 months are at high risk for serious bacterial infection and generally require a full sepsis evaluation, including blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid studies, with empiric antibiotics.
275 words, about 1 min08Ethics, Advocacy, and Health Systems
Ethics and health systems questions test principles, consent, and advocacy. Know informed consent for procedures, parental permission with child assent, and adolescent confidentiality.
257 words, about 1 min