57179 - General and Specialised Paediatrics (A)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired fundamental knowledge of diseases that originate and/or manifest during the development of the human organism. In particular, students will be able to:

• understand the processes leading to the individual’s somatic and functional maturation;
• recognize the specific health needs from birth through adolescence;
• identify the main pediatric diseases through appropriate history taking and clinical reasoning to formulate a diagnostic hypothesis;
• determine the most appropriate investigations to confirm the diagnostic hypothesis;
• understand the main therapeutic approaches to pediatric diseases.

Course contents

• Non-oncological Pediatric Hematology
  
• Differential Diagnosis of Anemia
• Thrombocytopenia and Coagulation Disorders in Children
• Neutropenia in Childhood
• Lymphadenopathy
• Vaccinations
• Childhood Leukemias
• Childhood Solid Tumors

Readings/Bibliography

Nelson - Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier

Manuale di Nelson

Slides

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Simulation of common pediatric clinical scenarios with direct student participation

Assessment methods

The purpose of the oral examination is to assess the student’s ability to apply their acquired knowledge and to demonstrate the logical and deductive reasoning skills required to solve clinical problems.

Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the main benign and malignant hematological disorders of childhood and to apply differential diagnostic reasoning to these conditions. They will also be required to demonstrate knowledge of the diagnostic work-up and the main therapeutic approaches for the management of lymphadenopathy. Finally, students will be expected to have a basic understanding of the childhood immunization schedule and the fundamental principles of pediatric vaccination.

Final grading criteria:

• 18–19: Knowledge limited to a very small number of course topics, with analytical skills demonstrated only with the examiner’s guidance; overall use of appropriate language.
• 20–24: Knowledge of a limited number of course topics, with the ability to perform independent analysis only in straightforward situations; appropriate use of technical language.
• 25–29: Good knowledge of a broad range of course topics, ability to perform independent critical analysis, and proficient use of subject-specific terminology.
• 30–30 with Honors: Comprehensive knowledge of the course topics, ability to perform independent critical analysis and make connections across topics, full command of subject-specific terminology, and excellent reasoning and reflective skills.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University’s dedicated support office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti) as early as possible in order to agree on appropriate accommodations. Requests for accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days before the examination date. The instructor will evaluate the appropriateness of the requested measures in light of the course learning objectives.

Teaching tools

• Lecture slides presented and discussed during classroom teaching
• Online formative assessments based on clinical cases and simulation exercises

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Masetti