Paediatrics: General condition

General condition

·  State of health: make a note of the child’s general appearance. Is there any evidence of chronic illness? Make an assessment of their mental state: is their behaviour appropriate. Does the child interact with the parents? Is the child alert, tired, lethargic, or uncomfortable?

·  Height, weight, and head circumference: these measurements are often made before you see the child. Acquaint yourself with how they are done in the clinic or on the paediatric ward. Certain measurements, e.g. the head occipitofrontal circumference (OFC), you will want to do yourself. In a growth clinic, length or height measurements are best done by the auxologist.

·  Hydration: capillary refill, mucous membranes, anterior fontanelle, sunken eyes, skin turgor, and pulse.