Paediatric Conditions

During the first month of life absorption, metabolism and excretion in a baby are not yet fully developed. For this reason, the frequency of medicine dosing is based on gestational age and not on the characteristics of the medicine.

Figure 4.1: Action plan to help babies breathe Clear of meconium”

Any visible Any visible jaundice jaundice

The formula for preparing 100 mL of fluid with a desired concentration of glucose using 5% dextrose and 25% dextrose solutions is given by the formula 5X-25 = Y where X is the required percentage of dextrose and Y is the amount of 25% dextrose (in mL) to be made up with 5% dextrose to make a total of 100 mL.

Manage Airways and Breathing (have bag and mask ready) Ensure Circulatory access Anticonvulsants:

RDS is a common problem in premature infants. It is due to surfactant deficiency.

Common paediatric conditions such as acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhoea, child with fever (axillary temperature 37.5°C and above); severe malnutrition or protein energy malnutrition (PEM) are now incorporated in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI).

. supportive measures are often more important than antibiotics themselves: for example, fluids in diarrhoea and vomiting;

Urgent pre-referral treatments are in bold print

(Severe acute malnutrition — oedematous and non- oedematous)