Components of the Paediatric Examination (9)
1) General Observation
2) Initial measurements - height/weight/head circumference, vitals
3) Respiratory Exam
4) Cardiovascular exam
5) Abdominal Exam
6) Neurological Screen - general function
7) Skin Exam
8) Head and Neck - fontanelle closure, teeth, lymph nodes
9) ENT Screen - vision, hearing, throat
Paediatric Age Categories
Neonate = first 4 weeks of life Infant = up to first year of life Preschool Child = from 2-5 School Child = from 6-18 Teenager/Adolescent = 13-18
Normal Vitals - Neonate
RR - 30-60
HR - 100-160
Systolic - 50-85
Normal Vitals - Infant
RR - 20-40
HR - 90-140
Systolic - 60-100
Normal Vitals - Child
RR - 20-40
HR - 80-120
Systolic - 70-110
Normal Vitals - Adolescent
RR - 15-20
HR - 60-100
Systolic 80-120
4 Major domains of child development
> Gross motor
> Fine Motor/Vision
> Hearing/Language/Speech
> Social, emotional and behavioral
Developmental Correction
Correction needs to be made if the baby was born premature - should be staged from the expected date of birth. Correction no longer needed after 2 years of age.
The Primitive Reflexes (5)
Reflexes present in neonates, should disappear by 2-4 months of age.
> MORO - sudden head extension causes symmetrical arm extension then slow flexion
> GRASP - fingers grasp what is in palm
> ROOTING - head turns to stimulus when touched near mouth
> STEPPING RESPONSE - stepping movements when held vertically with feet touching floor
> ASYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX - when lying down, limbs coordinate to head rotation
The Postural Reflexes (4)
Develop from the primitive reflexes, must be present for sitting and walking to occur
> LABRYNTHE RIGHTING - head moves in opposite direction of body tilting
> POSTURAL SUPPORT - when held upright, legs take weight and push up (bounce)
> LATERAL PROPPING - When sitting, arm extends to side when falling
> PARACHUTE - when face down, arms extend out
NEWBORN - development
6-8 WEEKS - development
6 MONTHS - development
9 MONTHS - development
12 MONTHS - development
18 MONTHS - development
2 YEARS - development
3 YEARS
4 YEARS
Vision - development
Babies born with immature fovea and unmyelinated optic nerve, so very poor vision. Reaches adult levels at around 3-4 years.
Causes of abnormal delay
> Genetic - e.g. down's, fragile X
> Teratogens
> TORCH infection
> Extreme prematurity
> Birth complications - asphyxia
> Trauma
> Infection
> UnknownCerebral Palsy - Definition and Causes
Defined as abnormal movement/posture, due to non-progressive disturbance of foetal brain - often with cognitive and communicative delay.
It is the most common cause of motor impairment in children, with 80% of cases caused by vascular occlusion, cortical migration disorders, or structural maldevelopment. 10% from postnatal causes.
Cerebral Palsy - Presentation and Subtypes (3)
Can present in the Neonatal period with abnormal posture, delayed motor milestones, feeding difficulty, and persistence of primordial reflexes.
There are 3 main clinical subtypes:
> SPASTIC CP - 90%. Damage to the pyramidal/corticospinal UMN tracts, with spasticity, brisk reflexes, and positive babinski. May be further divided into hemiplegic (one-sided, flexed and tiptoe walk), quadriplegic (severe) and diplegic (legs>arms)
> DYSKINETIC CP - 6%. Arises from damage to the basal ganglia/extrapyramidal systems, resulting in tremor, chorea and athetosis.
> ATAXIC CP - 4%. Arises from genetic abnormalities of cerebellum, results in hypotonia, poor balance, and uncoordinated movements.
Autism Spectrum Disorders - Presentation
Presents between 2-4 years of age, with the triad of:
> Impaired social interaction
> Speech/Language problems
> Imposition of routines with ritualistic behaviour
Other features include general learning/attention problems, seizures, and poverty of imagination.
Management involves support and applied behavioural analysis (ABA).