SERIOUS ILLNESS IN CHILDREN

DR.M ABBAS SUBHANI
MBBS DCH

ONE OF THE VERY COMMON QUESTION ASKED BY THE PATIENTS' ATTENDANTS IS WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF MY CHILD, IS IT SERIOUS?

EVEN IF THIS QUESTION IS NOT ASKED BY THE ATTENDANTS, PHYSICIAN SHOULD ASK/ CONSIDER THIS HIMSELF. THIS IS HELPFUL IN TIMELY  (WITHOUT UNDUE DELAY) AND JUDICIOUS REFERRAL. THE PATIENT IS BENEFITED BY TIMELY INSTITUTION OF APPROPRIATE TREATMENT.

IF THE ILLNESS PRESENT IN THE FOLLOWING MANNERS OR ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS ARE PRESENT THE PATIENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SERIOUSLY ILL

• · DROWSINESS OR EXCESSIVE IRRITABILITY
• · HYPOTHERMIA
• · SHOCK
• · MODERATE TO SEVERE DEHYDRATION
• · CONVULSION
• · CYANOSIS OR MARKED PALLOR
• · REFUSAL TO FEEDS ( CONSECUTIVELY 2 OR MORE)
• · APNOEA GRUNTING STRIDOR AT REST   BREATHLESSNESS AT REST  RECESSION OF SUBCOSTAL AND INTERCOSTAL    SPACES
• · REPEATED VOMITING
• · VISIBLE PERISTALSIS  ,VISIBLE DISTENDED BOWEL LOOPS, DECREASED OR ABSENT BOWEL SOUNDS
• · SPONTANEOUS AND/ UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING FROM ANY SITE
• · ANY ILLNESS IN SEVERELY UNDER-NOURISHED OR IMMUNO-COMPROMISED CHILD.  ILLNESS IN CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL DEFECTS SPECIALLY CARDIAC