57179 - General and Specialised Paediatrics

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student possesses basic knowledge of diseases that originate and/or manifest during the body's development. Specifically, the student is able to:

- outline the processes leading to the individual's somatic and functional maturation;

- understand the specific health needs associated with the period from birth through adolescence;

- identify major pediatric diseases through accurate medical history taking and clinical reasoning to formulate a diagnostic hypothesis;

- indicate the most appropriate investigations to confirm the diagnostic hypothesis; - understand the primary therapeutic interventions for pediatric conditions

Course contents

By the end of the course, the student must acquire basic knowledge regarding diseases that originate and/or manifest during the organism's development. In particular, the student must be able to:

- outline the processes leading to the individual's somatic and functional maturation;

- understand the specific health needs associated with the life stage spanning from birth to adolescence;

- identify major pediatric diseases through proper medical history taking and clinical reasoning to formulate a diagnostic hypothesis; - indicate the most appropriate investigations to confirm the diagnostic hypothesis, using a problem-oriented approach;

- be familiar with the main therapeutic interventions in pediatrics.

Syllabus Approach to the child and adolescent

- Growth

- Psychomotor development

- The first 1000 days of life

- Pediatrics and Global Health Neonatology

- The healthy newborn

- The newborn with pathology (preterm birth; perinatal asphyxia) - Neonatal neurological issues and their sequelae

- Newborn screening Endocrinology, metabolism, and nutrition

- Breastfeeding and weaning

- Nutrition from early childhood to adolescence

- Eating disorders

- Congenital metabolic diseases

- Diabetes

- Short stature

- Altered pubertal development, disorders of sexual differentiation

Gastroenterology

- Gastroenteritis: overview and management

- Malabsorption syndromes, celiac disease

- Recurrent and functional abdominal pain

- Major liver diseases

- Inflammatory bowel diseases

- Causes and management of dysphagia;

Feeding issues in children with neurodisabilities Immunology and Rheumatology

- Congenital immunodeficiencies

- Kawasaki disease

- Schönlein-Henoch disease (IgA vasculitis)

- Other forms of vasculitis

- Rheumatic fever

- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and connective tissue diseases - - --Musculoskeletal pain: assessment and causes

- Recurrent fevers Respiratory diseases and infections

- Upper respiratory tract infections

- Lower respiratory tract infections

- Sepsis, meningitis, and meningoencephalitis

- Major systemic infections

- Principles of antibiotic therapy

- Vaccinations

- Asthma and allergies

- Cystic fibrosis

Nephrology

- Urinary tract infections

- Nephrotic syndrome

- Nephritic syndromes

- Hematuria and proteinuria

Hematology

- Complete blood count (CBC) interpretation

- Anemias- Thrombocytopenia - Neutropenia

- Overview of major neoplasms Neurology

- Primary and secondary headaches

- Febrile seizures

- Autoimmune encephalitis

Acute conditions -

Fever as a symptom - The febrile infant and child: interpretation and appropriate management

- Exanthematous infectious diseases

- Pain assessment and management

- The role of triage in the Emergency Department

Readings/Bibliography

Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics

Teaching methods

Lectures

Slides

Clinical cases/topics presented by students, with educational objectives agreed upon in advance

Assessment methods

Oral Examination

The purpose of the oral examination is to assess the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course and to make the necessary logical and deductive connections.

Final Grade Criteria

• 18–19: Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered during the course. Analytical skills emerge only with the instructor's guidance. Overall use of appropriate and generally accurate language.
• 20–24: Preparation on a limited number of topics covered during the course. Ability to conduct independent analysis only on straightforward or procedural issues. Correct use of disciplinary language.
• 25–29: Preparation on a broad range of topics covered during the course. Ability to make independent critical judgments and analyses. Good command of the relevant technical terminology.
• 30–30 with Honors (30L): Thorough and comprehensive preparation on the topics covered during the course. Ability to carry out independent critical analysis, establish meaningful connections between concepts, demonstrate full command of the relevant technical terminology, and present well-reasoned arguments supported by critical self-reflection

Teaching tools

- Clinical Case Simulations

 

- Interactive Learning Applications

 

- Discussion and Sharing of Scientific Literature on Selected Topics.      

- Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support teaching and learning. Its use is intended to promote interactive learning, clinical reasoning, and the in-depth study of specific topics, with particular emphasis on aspects of the course that have been collectively agreed upon for assessment. AI is intended as a complementary educational tool and does not replace lectures, official course materials, or instructor guidance.

Office hours

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