1. Respiratory Infections

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URIs):

  • Common cold: Caused by viruses (e.g., rhinovirus). Symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat, mild fever. Management: Supportive care (hydration, rest, saline nasal drops). Avoid antibiotics unless bacterial complication.

  • Pharyngitis: Often viral; streptococcal (bacterial) in 15-30% of cases. Symptoms: Sore throat, fever, tonsillar exudates. Test for Group A Streptococcus (rapid strep test/throat culture). Treatment: Penicillin/amoxicillin for bacterial cases.

  • Otitis Media: Acute bacterial/viral infection of middle ear. Symptoms: Ear pain, fever, irritability. Common in ages 6-24 months. Treatment: Amoxicillin (first-line); observe if mild in older children.

• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections:

  • Bronchiolitis: Caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Common in infants <2 years. Symptoms: Wheezing, cough, respiratory distress. Management: Supportive (oxygen, hydration); bronchodilators controversial.

  • Pneumonia: Bacterial (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae) or viral. Symptoms: Fever, cough, tachypnea, chest pain. Diagnosis: Chest X-ray, clinical exam. Treatment: Antibiotics for bacterial (e.g., amoxicillin); supportive for viral.

2. Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Gastroenteritis:

  • Viral (rotavirus, norovirus) most common. Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain. Dehydration risk high in infants. Management: Oral rehydration solution (ORS), zinc supplementation (10-20 mg/day for 10-14 days in resource-limited settings).

  • Assess dehydration: Sunken eyes, lethargy, dry mucous membranes. Severe cases may require IV fluids.

• Constipation:

  • Common in toddlers/young children. Causes: Diet low in fiber, inadequate fluid intake, behavioral withholding. Symptoms: Hard stools, pain on defecation, abdominal discomfort. Management: Increase fiber (fruits, vegetables), fluids; laxatives (e.g., lactulose) if needed.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER):

  • Common in infants, usually resolves by 12-18 months. Symptoms: Spitting up, irritability, poor weight gain (if severe). Management: Smaller, frequent feeds; upright positioning; thickened feeds. H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine) for severe cases.

3. Infectious Diseases

• Measles:

  • Caused by measles virus. Symptoms: High fever, rash (maculopapular, spreads head to toe), cough, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots. Complications: Pneumonia, encephalitis. Management: Supportive; vitamin A supplementation (200,000 IU for 2 days in children >1 year). Prevention: MMR vaccine.

• Chickenpox (Varicella):

  • Caused by varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms: Itchy vesicular rash, fever, malaise. Complications: Secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia. Management: Antihistamines for itching, acyclovir in severe cases. Prevention: Varicella vaccine.

• Mumps:

  • Caused by mumps virus. Symptoms: Parotid gland swelling, fever, headache. Complications: Orchitis, meningitis. Management: Supportive. Prevention: MMR vaccine.

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough):

  • Caused by Bordetella pertussis. Symptoms: Paroxysmal cough, whoop sound, vomiting post-cough. Management: Macrolides (e.g., azithromycin). Prevention: DTaP vaccine.

4. Skin Conditions

• Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema):

  • Chronic, itchy, inflammatory skin condition. Common in infants/toddlers. Triggers: Allergens, irritants, stress. Management: Emollients, topical corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone 1%), avoid triggers. Severe cases: Topical calcineurin inhibitors.

• Impetigo:

  • Bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes). Symptoms: Honey-crusted lesions, pustules. Management: Topical mupirocin for localized; oral antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin) for extensive.

• Diaper Dermatitis:

  • Caused by prolonged moisture, friction, irritants. Symptoms: Erythema, rash in diaper area. Management: Frequent diaper changes, barrier creams (zinc oxide), avoid irritants.

5. Nutritional Disorders

• Iron Deficiency Anemia:

  • Common in 1-3 years due to rapid growth, low iron intake. Symptoms: Pallor, fatigue, irritability. Diagnosis: Low hemoglobin, low ferritin. Management: Iron supplementation (3-6 mg/kg/day elemental iron), dietary iron (red meat, fortified cereals).

• Vitamin D Deficiency (Rickets):

  • Caused by inadequate sunlight/dietary vitamin D. Symptoms: Bowed legs, delayed growth, bone pain. Management: Vitamin D 2,000-5,000 IU/day for 6-12 weeks, calcium supplementation. Prevention: 400 IU/day vitamin D in infants.

• Failure to Thrive (FTT):

  • Inadequate growth (weight <3rd percentile or weight loss). Causes: Inadequate intake, malabsorption, chronic illness. Management: Address underlying cause, high-calorie diet, frequent monitoring.

6. Neurological Conditions

• Febrile Seizures:

  • Occur in 2-5% of children aged 6 months-5 years. Triggered by rapid fever rise. Types: Simple (generalized, <15 min) or complex (>15 min, focal). Management: Antipyretics (e.g., ibuprofen 10 mg/kg), diazepam for prolonged seizures. Usually benign; educate parents.

• Cerebral Palsy:

  • Non-progressive motor disability due to brain injury. Symptoms: Spasticity, delayed milestones, abnormal tone. Management: Multidisciplinary (physiotherapy, occupational therapy), baclofen for spasticity, orthopedic interventions.

7. Allergic Conditions

• Food Allergies:

  • Common allergens: Milk, eggs, peanuts. Symptoms: Urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis. Management: Allergen avoidance, epinephrine auto-injector for severe cases. Diagnosis: Skin prick test, serum IgE.

• Asthma:

  • Chronic airway inflammation. Symptoms: Wheezing, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness. Triggers: Allergens, infections, exercise. Management: Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide), bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol). Education: Asthma action plan.

8. Common Injuries

• Burns:

  • Common in toddlers (hot liquids, surfaces). Management: Cool with running water (10-15 min), cover with clean dressing, analgesia. Severe burns: Refer to burn unit.

• Fractures:

  • Common in school-age children (falls, sports). Symptoms: Pain, swelling, deformity. Management: Immobilization (cast/splint), refer to orthopedics for displaced fractures.

• Foreign Body Aspiration:

  • Common in <3 years (food, small objects). Symptoms: Choking, wheezing, respiratory distress. Management: Bronchoscopy for removal, urgent referral.

9. Behavioral and Developmental Issues

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

  • Symptoms: Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity (inappropriate for age). Diagnosis: DSM-5 criteria, parent/teacher reports. Management: Behavioral therapy, methylphenidate for children >6 years.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

  • Symptoms: Impaired social interaction, repetitive behaviors, communication deficits. Diagnosis: Developmental screening, ADOS-2. Management: Early intervention, speech therapy, behavioral therapy.

10. Immunization-Preventable Diseases

• Importance of Vaccinations:

  • Follow national immunization schedules (e.g., DTaP, MMR, Hib, PCV13, rotavirus). Monitor for adverse effects (e.g., fever, local reactions). Contraindications: Severe allergic reactions, immunocompromised states (for live vaccines).

• Catch-Up Vaccination:

  • For under-vaccinated children, follow catch-up schedules (e.g., CDC or WHO guidelines). Prioritize measles, pertussis, and pneumococcal vaccines in outbreaks.