Preschooler health
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Unit 597
September 2022
This edition of check considers the investigation and management of conditions affecting preschool-aged children in general practice.
Optimising the health of children in the preschool years (aged 3–5 years) – for example, by making healthy food choices, improving sleep and understanding developmental milestones – has the potential to affect their subsequent health, wellbeing and opportunities in life.
Gastroenteritis is common in young children, with the majority of cases (70%) caused by viruses. The number of children aged <5 years who visited a general practitioner has dropped significantly since the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine to the National Immunisation Program.
Sleep problems are common, affecting 30–40% of children prior to school age; concerns include frequent night waking and problems at bedtime. Fussy eating is exhibited by approximately 13–50% of children and generally peaks during the preschool years. Developmental delay affects approximately 10% of children, with boys more commonly affected than girls.
Preschool-aged children are also due for routine immunisations at four years of age as per the National Immunisation Schedule; these include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio vaccinations.
At the end of this activity, participants will be able to:
Below is a list of the case studies found in this month's edition of check. To see how these case studies unfold and gain valuable insights into this months topic, log into gplearning to complete the course.
Anchana, aged three years, presents with her mother, Pranpriya, following 48 hours of ‘bad poos’ and vomiting. Pranpriya reports that Anchana developed a fever of 38.7鈥�°C and vomiting initially, and that her bowel movements have become increasingly liquid and now very frequent.
Harry, aged three years, is a boy you have known since birth. His mother, Ester, is Japanese; his father, Michael, is Irish–Australian; and he has a sister, Lily, aged five years. He has no significant medical history of note. Ester brings Harry to see you and is concerned about his development in comparison to his sister’s. You last saw Harry when he was aged 18 months, at which time you noted he had a few clear words (eg ‘mum’ and ‘dad’). At the time, you discussed the local hospital’s red flags for child development and asked Ester to bring Harry in for review if she had concerns.
Kumail, a well boy aged four years, is brought to see you by his mother, Ayesha. Ayesha reports that Kumail is a fussy eater, and she is concerned about him getting the nutrients that he needs to be healthy.
Gemma presents to you with her daughter, Daisy, aged three years, with concerns regarding Daisy’s sleep. Gemma has tried to set a regular bedtime with Daisy but finds that it takes two hours for her to fall asleep. Every time Gemma tries to leave the room, Daisy gets out of bed. When Gemma becomes too exhausted to argue, she gets into bed with Daisy.
This unit of check is approved for 10 hours of CPD activity (two hours per case). The 10 hours, when completed, including the online questions, comprise five hours’ 鲍鱼视频al Activities and five hours’ Reviewing Performance.
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Each unit of check comprises approximately five clinical cases, and the choice of cases will cover the broad spectrum of the unit’s topic. Each unit will be led by a GP with an interest and capability in the topic, and they will scope the five different cases for that unit in collaboration with the check team.