Child Health Nursing | Common Pediatric Diseases and Disorders | Respiratory Conditions | Gastrointestinal Issues | Infectious Diseases | Chronic Conditions.

 

Common Pediatric Diseases and Disorders:

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Respiratory Conditions

Asthma

• Definition: A chronic inflammatory condition of the airways characterized by episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
• Etiology: Genetic predisposition, environmental triggers (allergens, pollutants, viral infections).
• Clinical Features: Wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, nocturnal cough, and use of accessory muscles for breathing.
• Management:
• Diagnosis: Peak flow measurement, spirometry, clinical history.
• Acute management: Bronchodilators (e.g., salbutamol), corticosteroids, oxygen therapy.
• Long-term care: Avoidance of triggers, use of inhaled corticosteroids, patient and family education on asthma action plans.

Pneumonia

• Definition: Infection of the lung parenchyma causing inflammation and fluid accumulation in alveoli.
• Etiology: Bacterial (Streptococcus pneumoniae), viral (RSV), or fungal infections.
• Clinical Features: Fever, tachypnea, productive or non-productive cough, chest pain, crackles on auscultation.
• Management:
• Diagnosis: Chest X-ray, sputum cultures, blood tests.
• Treatment: Antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, supportive care (hydration, antipyretics), and oxygen therapy if hypoxic.

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Gastrointestinal Issues

Diarrhea

• Definition: Passage of three or more loose stools per day, often associated with dehydration.
• Etiology: Viral (rotavirus), bacterial (E. coli), or parasitic infections; dietary intolerances.
• Clinical Features: Loose, watery stools, abdominal cramps, fever, vomiting, dehydration signs (sunken eyes, dry mouth).
• Management:
• Acute management: Oral rehydration salts (ORS), intravenous fluids in severe cases.
• Prevention: Rotavirus vaccination, proper hand hygiene, safe drinking water.

Constipation

• Definition: Infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in passing stools, causing discomfort.
• Etiology: Poor dietary fiber intake, dehydration, psychological stress, underlying medical conditions.
• Clinical Features: Hard, dry stools, abdominal pain, infrequent defecation.
• Management:
• Dietary modifications: Increase fiber (fruits, vegetables), adequate hydration.
• Medications: Stool softeners (e.g., lactulose), mild laxatives if necessary.
• Behavioral therapy: Establishing regular toilet routines.

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Infectious Diseases

Measles

• Definition: Highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, presenting with systemic and respiratory symptoms.
• Etiology: Spread via respiratory droplets from infected individuals.
• Clinical Features: Fever, cough, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, maculopapular rash starting on the face and spreading downward.
• Management:
• Prevention: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination.
• Treatment: Supportive care with hydration, antipyretics, vitamin A supplementation to prevent complications.

Chickenpox

• Definition: Viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, presenting with a characteristic vesicular rash.
• Etiology: Spread via respiratory droplets or direct contact with lesions.
• Clinical Features: Fever, malaise, vesicular rash in crops, intense itching.
• Management:
• Prevention: Varicella vaccination.
• Treatment: Antihistamines for itching, antiviral drugs (e.g., acyclovir) in severe cases, calamine lotion.

Mumps

• Definition: Viral infection causing inflammation of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands.
• Etiology: Spread via respiratory droplets or direct contact.
• Clinical Features: Swelling of one or both parotid glands, fever, difficulty swallowing, pain near the ear.
• Management:
• Prevention: MMR vaccination.
• Treatment: Supportive care, hydration, analgesics for pain relief.

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Chronic Conditions

Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus)

• Definition: Autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
• Etiology: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in genetically predisposed individuals.
• Clinical Features: Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, fatigue.
• Management:
• Diagnosis: Blood glucose levels, HbA1c, autoantibody tests.
• Treatment: Insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, dietary management, patient education.

Congenital Heart Defects:

• Definition: Structural abnormalities of the heart present at birth, affecting normal blood flow.
• Examples: Ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), Tetralogy of Fallot.
• Clinical Features: Cyanosis, poor feeding, failure to thrive, murmurs, respiratory distress.
• Management:
• Diagnosis: Echocardiography, chest X-ray, cardiac catheterization.
• Treatment: Surgical correction (e.g., VSD repair), medications (e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors), long-term follow-up.