Paediatrics
What you must understand
Paediatrics questions test growth and development, immunisation, and common childhood illnesses. Know the milestones of development (motor, social, language), the immunisation schedule, and breastfeeding vs formula principles. Understand neonatal jaundice, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and dehydration, and fever in the child. Recognise red flags such as lethargy, poor feeding, grunting and cyanosis.
Traps that appear in questions
- Confusing physiological vs pathological neonatal jaundice (timing and bilirubin level).
- Forgetting that dehydration in children is assessed clinically (fontanelle, skin turgor, mucous membranes) and that oral rehydration is first-line for mild-moderate cases.
- Mixing up developmental milestones by age.
- Overlooking vaccine-preventable diseases and the schedule.
Worked example (rule of thumb)
A 3-day-old with jaundice and a bilirubin above the treatment threshold needs phototherapy. Physiological jaundice appears after 24 hours and peaks around days 3–5; jaundice within 24 hours is always pathological. Rule of thumb: jaundice in the first 24 hours = investigate.
Exam strategy
For paediatric stems, note age, weight, feeding history and immunisation status. Use weight-based dosing and always check hydration.