Assessment of the sick child

This course is divided into five detailed units that address the essential elements of assessing and managing sick children.

Unit 1: Assessment of the Sick Child
This unit introduces the initial steps in evaluating a sick child, including the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT), primary and secondary surveys, and ongoing assessments. Participants will learn how to identify life-threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach, understand key physiological differences in children, and apply these methods to quickly assess children’s appearance, breathing, and circulation​.

Unit 2: Resuscitation and Anaphylaxis
This unit covers the management of paediatric cardiorespiratory arrest and anaphylaxis. It discusses basic and advanced life support techniques, including the SAFE approach and DRSABC steps. Participants will gain knowledge on using airway management techniques, performing chest compressions, and administering emergency medications like adrenaline for resuscitation and anaphylactic reactions​.

Unit 3: The Dehydrated Child
This unit focuses on the assessment and management of dehydration in children, particularly caused by vomiting, diarrhoea, and other factors. It explores the symptoms of dehydration, from mild to severe, and outlines the use of oral rehydration solutions, intravenous fluids, and hospital referral criteria. Special attention is given to conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the dangers of electrolyte imbalances​.

Unit 4: Fever and Sepsis
In this unit, participants will learn to evaluate and manage fever in children, including identifying serious infections like sepsis. The unit highlights the importance of early recognition, especially in children under three months, and outlines the steps for diagnosing and treating fever, including taking a thorough history and performing targeted investigations. Pyrexia of unknown origin and the management of febrile seizures are also discussed​.

Unit 5: Head Injury
The final unit focuses on the assessment and management of head injuries in children. It teaches participants how to distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe injuries and when to consider neuroimaging. The unit also covers symptoms such as loss of consciousness, vomiting, and neurological changes, providing guidelines for observation, follow-up, and emergency referral.

This course provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to handle pediatric emergencies effectively, ensuring better care and outcomes for sick children.