Medicine(Degree) · Fifth Year · MDPD501
Pediatrics
Pediatrics rotation immerses you in child health covering neonatal medicine, common childhood illnesses, growth and development, pediatric emergencies, immunizations, nutrition, and endemic pediatric diseases prevalent in Zambia including malaria, malnutrition, and HIV-related conditions in children. This essential rotation teaches you to assess, diagnose, and manage …
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Pediatrics rotation immerses you in child health covering neonatal medicine, common childhood illnesses, growth and development, pediatric emergencies, immunizations, nutrition, and endemic pediatric diseases prevalent in Zambia including malaria, malnutrition, and HIV-related conditions in children. This essential rotation teaches you to assess, diagnose, and manage pediatric patients while appreciating developmental considerations and family-centered care approaches. Our learning platform provides pediatric-specific resources including age-based differential diagnoses, developmental milestone charts, pediatric vital sign normal ranges, weight-based drug dosing calculations, and common pediatric presentation guides. Excel in pediatrics assessments with our comprehensive question bank featuring pediatric case scenarios, growth chart interpretation exercises, developmental assessment questions, and management challenges specific to childhood illnesses. Practice with our pediatric examination technique videos, age-appropriate communication strategies, and systematic approaches to common pediatric presentations like fever, respiratory distress, diarrhea, and seizures. Access our immunization schedule references, nutrition assessment guides, pediatric emergency protocols, and newborn examination checklists. Master pediatric medicine through our specialized resources designed to support your learning during this unique and rewarding rotation.
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Status Epilepticus in Paediatrics
This topic addresses the emergency management of Status Epilepticus, defined as a continuous seizure lasting >5 minutes or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness. For Zambian medical students and emergency providers, it details a time-critical, stepwise pharmacological protocol. The module begins with immediate ABCDE stabilization and checking blood glucose, followed by the sequential administration of first-line benzodiazepines (lorazepam IV/IM or diazepam PR), second-line phenytoin/fosphenytoin, and third-line phenobarbitone or anaesthetic agents for refractory cases. Causes, investigations, and post-resuscitation care are also covered. Mastery of this algorithm is essential for paediatric advanced life support, neurology examinations, and for leading the resuscitation of a seizing child in any clinical setting, where minutes count to prevent irreversible neuronal damage.
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Topic 29Coming soon
Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Children
This topic covers the urgent diagnosis and management of Acute Bacterial Meningitis beyond the neonatal period, a medical emergency with high mortality and morbidity. For Zambian medical students, it details the common pathogens, classic clinical features (fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, altered mental status), and non-specific presentations, especially in infants. The module emphasizes the contraindications to immediate lumbar puncture, the critical importance of prompt empiric antibiotic therapy (e.g., ceftriaxone or penicillin+chloramphenicol), and adjunctive use of dexamethasone. Supportive management of complications like raised intracranial pressure, seizures, and shock is also outlined. Understanding this protocol is non-negotiable for paediatric infectious disease and emergency medicine examinations and for improving survival and neurological outcomes in affected children in Zambian hospitals.
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Topic 30Coming soon
Stroke in Children
This topic addresses the often-overlooked condition of Stroke in the paediatric population, with a specific focus on sickle cell disease (SCD) as a major cause in Zambia. Medical students will learn the definitions of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and the key difference between ischaemic and haemorrhagic types. The module covers the broad aetiology, clinical recognition (acute focal neurological deficit, hemiparesis, speech disturbance, seizures), and essential diagnostic workup including neuroimaging (CT/MRI). Acute management principles are outlined, focusing on stabilization (ABCDE), neuroprotection, and urgent exchange transfusion for strokes related to SCD. Understanding paediatric stroke is crucial for neurology and haematology examinations and for improving long-term outcomes through timely recognition and secondary prevention strategies.
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Topic 31Coming soon
Nephrotic Syndrome in Children
This topic provides a comprehensive overview of Nephrotic Syndrome, a common glomerular disorder in childhood characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, and oedema. For Zambian medical students, it details the diagnostic criteria, the predominance of minimal change disease, and the initial management protocol with corticosteroids. The module covers the specific prednisolone dosing regimen (daily induction followed by alternate-day therapy), definitions of treatment response (remission, relapse, steroid dependence/resistance), and management of complications like infection (especially spontaneous bacterial peritonitis), thrombosis, and hypovolaemia. Understanding this condition is essential for paediatric nephrology examinations and for the long-term follow-up and management of children with this relapsing-remitting disease in clinic settings.
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Topic 32Coming soon
Pediatric Poisoning: General Approach and Decontamination
This foundational topic addresses the general principles of assessing and managing the poisoned child, with a focus on Zambian pediatric populations. You will learn systematic approaches including initial stabilization (ABCs), history-taking, toxidrome recognition, and appropriate use of decontamination methods such as activated charcoal, gastric lavage, and whole bowel irrigation. The content covers common pediatric poisons in Zambia including organophosphates, paracetamol, iron, and household products, emphasizing age-related vulnerabilities and prevention strategies. Mastery of this topic is essential for reducing mortality and morbidity from accidental and intentional ingestions in children. It prepares medical, nursing, and clinical officer students for pediatric emergency rotations, professional exams, and community practice where poisoning represents a significant public health burden. The topic also highlights the role of poison control centers, caregiver education, and safe storage practices in preventing childhood poisoning incidents.
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Topic 33Coming soon
Acute Glomerulonephritis in Children
This topic covers Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN), an inflammatory kidney disorder often following a streptococcal infection. For Zambian medical students, it details the typical presentation of a school-aged child with sudden onset of puffiness (especially periorbital oedema), dark-coloured urine (haematuria), hypertension, and oliguria. The module explains the pathophysiology of immune complex deposition, outlines key investigations (urinalysis showing red blood cell casts, elevated ASOT, low serum complement), and focuses on supportive management: blood pressure control, fluid and salt restriction, and treating the underlying infection. Differentiating AGN from nephrotic syndrome is emphasized. Understanding this condition is crucial for paediatric nephrology examinations and for managing this common post-infectious renal complication in clinical practice.
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Topic 34Coming soon
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Paediatrics
This topic addresses the diagnosis and management of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a sudden decline in renal function. Medical students in Zambia will learn the pre-renal, intrinsic renal, and post-renal causes, and how to assess a child with oliguria, rising creatinine, and potential fluid overload. The module details the initial evaluation (urinalysis, electrolytes, ultrasound), emergency management of life-threatening complications like severe hyperkalaemia (using calcium, insulin-dextrose, salbutamol, and resonium), and principles of fluid management. Indications for renal replacement therapy (dialysis) are outlined. Proficiency in managing AKI, especially hyperkalaemia, is essential for paediatric nephrology and critical care examinations and for stabilising children with renal failure in hospital settings.
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Topic 35Coming soon
Acute Diarrhoea and Dehydration in Children
This fundamental topic outlines the WHO's evidence-based plans (A, B, and C) for managing acute diarrhoea, a leading cause of paediatric mortality in Zambia. Medical students will learn to clinically assess and classify dehydration as 'none,' 'some,' or 'severe' using specific signs (skin turgor, eyes, thirst, mental status). The module details the appropriate oral rehydration therapy (ORT) for Plans A and B, and the urgent intravenous fluid resuscitation required for Plan C (severe dehydration). The principles of continued feeding, zinc supplementation, and avoiding routine antibiotics are emphasized. Mastery of this protocol is essential for paediatric and public health examinations and forms the cornerstone of effective case management in clinics and hospitals, directly impacting child survival rates.
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Topic 36Coming soon
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children
This topic covers the approach to Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding in children, presenting as haematemesis or melena. For Zambian medical students, it outlines age-related causes, from swallowed maternal blood in neonates to oesophagitis, peptic ulcer disease, and variceal bleeding in older children. The module emphasizes the initial ABCDE resuscitation, history-taking, and investigations (FBC, coagulation studies, endoscopy). Management principles include volume resuscitation, acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and specific therapies for variceal bleeding (octreotide, terlipressin, propranolol). Understanding this structured approach is important for paediatric gastroenterology and emergency medicine examinations and for managing this alarming presentation in hospital settings.