Acute fever
Fever is usually a response to infection or inflammation and may form part of the body’s defence against infection. The height of the fever does not necessarily correlate with the…
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the commonest recessive genetic disorder in white populations of European origin. It causes a molecular defect in a cellular membrane chloride channel which leads to the…
The premature baby
7% of all babies are premature (<37 weeks) and 1% are extremely premature (<28 weeks) or very low birthweight (VLBW<1500 g). Premature babies can survive from 23–24 weeks gestation, although…
Common behaviour problems
Common Emotional and Behavioural Problems These problems are seen so often that many would regard them as normal, although in a small minority the behaviour is so disruptive that it…
Persistent fever and serious recurrent infections
Persistent Fever and Pyrexia of Unknown Origin Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) refers to prolonged fever (more than 1 week in young children and 2–3 weeks in adolescents). Often the…
Cough and wheeze
The ‘Chesty’ Child Children commonly present with coryza, breathlessness, cough, wheeze or noisy breathing. This is often due to a viral URTI (see Chapter 21) or asthma (see Chapter 26)….
