Vital Signs Monitor
Paediatric Vital Signs
Paediatric vital signs (normal reference ranges for observations) are a crucial part of assessing any unwell child. Importantly, paediatric vital signs vary by the child's age. Generally, the normal heart…
PDA – Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Introduction Patent Ductus Arteriosus - PDA – L-to-R shunt – ACYANOTIC Patent ductus arterioles describes the persistence of the connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery. In the foetus, this duct…
Perthes Disease x-ray showing bone remodelling of the femoral head. Image James Heilman, MD. From wikimedia commons. Used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share alike 4.0 international license.
Perthes Disease
Introduction Perthes disease (also Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease) is a childhood hip disorder that results in avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The cause is unknown. It can be differentiated from adult…
Physiological Changes of the Heart at Birth
Fetal circulation The fetus receives blood via the umbilical vein. Once this enters the body, it travels through the liver as the ductus venosus before joining the inferior vena cava.…
Pneumonia (Children)
Introduction Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, characterised by inflammation of the lung parenchyma and production of fluid in the alveoli. It is technically a type of bronchitis (infection…
Pyloric Stenosis
Epidemiology More common in boys (4:1) Often a maternal family history Increased risk if siblings were affected Erythromycin exposure in first few weeks of life Pathology There is a functional…
Rashes of Childhood
Type of Rash Appearance Associated Conditions Maculopapular Macules – flat erythematous areas of skin Papules – raised erythematous areas of skin Both will blanch under pressure Measles Rubella (only macules)…
Recurrent Cough
Recurrent Cough This is a very common complain for children. Common causes include: Asthma – the most common cause of childhood cough. Typically symptoms (such as wheeze and breathlessness may…
Erythem marginatum. Image from Dermnet. Used in accordance with Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 (New Zealand) license.
Rheumatic Fever
Introduction Rheumatic fever was a common infectious disease until around the middle of the 20th century, and was a major cause of childhood mortality and rheumatic (structural) heart disease. In…
Routine Examination of the Newborn (Neonate Exam)
Introduction Strictly speaking, a neonate is any baby <4 weeks old. Then up to 1 year old, the child is an ‘infant’. Usually, within minutes after birth, a midwife or…