Practical Paediatric Problems in Primary Care

General practitioners (GPs) and other members of the Primary Health Care Team (PHCT) play a crucial role in the provision of health care for children. At least 25% of GP consultations are with children, and many of the problems encountered are specific to this population group. However, children do not represent a homogeneous population and several ages of childhood are recognised, each with its unique set of illnesses and problems: the neonate, infant, pre-school child, school age child and the adolescent. Furthermore, both the childhood population and their illnesses change with time; new illnesses such as HIV have appeared and others, not seen for many years (such as rickets, tuberculosis and congenital rubella syndrome) have returned. Thus a comprehensive knowledge of the varied aspects of child health is needed; recognition of the acutely ill child, developmental surveillance, immunisation, treatment of chronic illness, and psycho-social issues. GPs are also increasingly involved in influencing configuration and the commissioning of services at a local level. This textbook provides practical guidance for GPs, GP registrars, practice nurses and health visitors dealing with child health in the 21st century. It undertakes a focused, problem-orientated approach based on the more common childhood problems encountered by GPs. Each chapter includes the essential background theory, but the emphasis is on making the clinical approach relevant and sensitive to primary care. Solutions to clinical scenarios are provided, based upon current, best available evidence. Site and system specific chapters are combined with sections looking at wider issues such as ethics and law, multicultural issues, and immunisation.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction ; 2. Recognition and initial management of the sick child ; 3. Ambulatory paediatrics ; 4. Respiratory problems ; 5. Common renal problems ; 6. Neonatal issues in primary care ; 7. Paediatric surgery ; 8. Allergy in childhood ; 9. Ear, nose and throat problems in childhood ; 10. Common infectious diseases of childhood ; 11. Failure to thrive: recognition and management in primary care ; 12. Childhood nutrition for primary care ; 13. Paediatric cardiology for the primary care physician ; 14. Paediatric haematology ; 15. Height: short and tall stature - when to worry and refer ; 16. Orthopaedic problems ; 17. Dermatology ; 18. Gastroenterology problems for primary care ; 19. Paediatric neurology ; 20. Endocrine disorders ; 21. Speech and language disorders and hearing problems ; 22. Protecting children from abuse and neglect ; 23. Ophthalmology ; 24. Autism for primary care ; 25. Child health promotion programme ; 26. The transition to parenthood: the role of the health visitor ; 27. Immunization ; 28. Accidental injuries in childhood ; 29. Eating disorders ; 30. Childhood obesity in primary care ; 31. Adolescence and primary care ; 32. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ; 33. Encopresis and enuresis: their management in primary care ; 34. Common psychosocial disorders in children and adolescents: diagnosis and treatment ; 35. Multicultural paediatrics ; 36. Ethical and legal issues in paediatric primary care ; 37. The impact of bereavement on children and young people's welfare & development