Difference Between Adult and Child History Taking

History and Examination

Difference Between Adult and Child History Taking

·        Kids may not be able to tell you, teens may not want to

·        Concerned with nutrition: what normal and current feeding practices are, micro-nutrients

·        Growth: weight, height and head circumference

·        Developmental perspective:

o  Gross motor: rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, running, stairs, sports 

o  Fine motor: hand skills, co-ordination (assessed through play ® art ® writing)

o  Vision

o  Speech/language and hearing 

o  Social development: bonding ® parents vs strangers ® peers

·        Immunisation: „Are your immunisations up to date‟ – usually meaningless.  Need to be more specific

·        Family history:

o  Congenital abnormalities

o  Genetic factors

o  Parental age and experience

o  Impact of chronic illness on family

·        Social history:

o  Abuse and neglect

o  Living circumstances – overcrowding, smoke exposure

o  Education settings, eg day care

o  Peer support for kids (eg in adolescence)

o  Adolescence: HEADSS Assessment