PAEDIATRICS

Paediatrics is a medical section that is concerned with children. The purpose of this article is to
provide information about growth and development of a baby as a basis for identifying the nursing
needs of small patients. Individual characteristics, growth and rate of maturation vary (of every
child and are affected by heredity, sex and external factors like nutrition and illness or injury.
Body length of newborn infants ranges from 45 to 53 cm and by the time of puberty, height is
usually three times the birth length. Average birth weight is about 3500g. The greatest weight gain
occurs during infancy and puberty. It begins earlier in females than in males, Females reach full
physical growth by age 16 to 18, but males continue to grow for more years. Potential mental
capacity is inherited and is present at birth but it is strongly influenced by multiple factors
such as physical health, nutrition and mental stimulation through games, stories, etc; and is
termed intelligence. It can be defined as ability to reason, to think in abstract terms, and to
learn from experience. Intelligence quotient (IQ) is an estimate of mental ability based on
performance on a standardized test. The test score, known as mental age, is divided by
chronological age and the quotient is multiplied by 100. A score between 90-110 indicates average
intelligence. A score above 140 is considered superior and the individual is termed gifted. A score
below 90 indicated less-than-average intelligence and the person might be slow or mentally
retarded. Nursing a child differs from caring for an adult in several ways. Illness and pain are
new and frightening experience to a young child and he has no understanding of them. If
hospitalisation is necessary, the separation from parents, strangeness, loneliness and lack of
possibility to play have adverse effects. The most significant role in the care of children is
observation, because infants are unable to describe their discomforts and needs. Pertinent factors
that should be noted and recorded include the following:

a) Crying, whether it is ’’normal” or caused due to pain,

b) Body movements and positions, whether the baby protests when a particular part or area is moved
or touched,

c) Abnormal loss or increase in muscle tension,

d) Frequent brushing or rubbing of a part of the body,

e) Apathy and passivity,

f) Failure to eat and drink,

g) Change in number and character of stools and urine,

h) Skin eruptions, facial expression and colour,

i) Excessive sweating, that is not normal and may indicate some autonomic nerve dysfunction,

j) Any behaviour that differs from that expected for the child.