Pediatrics: Age-Specific Assessment and Red Flags
Core concepts to master
Pediatric questions test recognition of the unwell child and age-appropriate management. Core topics: neonatal jaundice and sepsis, bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, gastroenteritis and dehydration, febrile seizures, and growth and development milestones. Know normal vital sign ranges by age, because tachycardia and tachypnoea thresholds differ substantially from adults.
Common traps
A common distractor is treating bronchiolitis with bronchodilators or steroids; management is supportive, with oxygen and feeding support. In croup, a single dose of dexamethasone is first-line, with nebulised adrenaline for severe cases. In gastroenteritis, oral rehydration is preferred; intravenous fluids are reserved for shock, altered consciousness, or failed oral therapy. Neonatal jaundice requires attention to timing: jaundice within 24 hours is always pathological and needs urgent investigation. In febrile children, do not rely on fever height alone to judge severity - assess activity, perfusion, and respiratory effort. Also be careful with drug dosing: pediatric doses are weight-based, and questions may test that you would recalculate rather than accept a given dose.
Worked rule of thumb
A 6-month-old with a two-day history of coryza, wheeze, and mild subcostal recession has bronchiolitis. Action: supportive care, oxygen if saturations are low, and ensure feeding. The rule: in bronchiolitis, supportive care wins - avoid unnecessary bronchodilators and antibiotics.