Paediatrics Vocabulary Quiz

Paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the health and medical care of infants, children and adolescents, typically from birth up to the age of 18. A specialist in this field is called a paediatrician. The word comes from the Greek 'pais' (child) and 'iatros' (healer).

'Neonatal' relates to newborn babies, typically in the first four weeks of life. A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a specialised ward for premature or seriously ill newborns. Related terms include 'neonate' (a newborn), 'premature' or 'preterm' (born before 37 weeks) and 'low birth weight' (under 2.5 kg at birth).

Developmental milestones are skills or behaviours that most children achieve by a certain age, such as sitting unsupported at around six months or walking at around 12 months. Paediatricians use milestone checklists to identify children who may need extra support. A delay in milestones prompts further assessment but does not always indicate a serious problem.

Neonatal jaundice is a very common condition where a newborn's skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow due to a build-up of bilirubin. Most cases are mild and resolve within two weeks, but severe jaundice requires phototherapy (treatment with special blue light) to prevent brain damage.

Croup is a childhood respiratory condition caused by a viral infection of the upper airway. It causes swelling around the vocal cords, producing a distinctive 'barking' cough and a harsh, high-pitched sound when breathing in called stridor. Croup is most common in children aged six months to three years and usually resolves on its own.

A febrile convulsion (also called a febrile seizure) is a fit triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature in a young child, usually between six months and five years old. Although alarming to witness, most febrile convulsions are brief and harmless, caused by the fever itself rather than by brain disease.

'Congenital' describes a condition present from birth, either because it is inherited or because it developed during pregnancy. For example, a congenital heart defect is a structural problem with the heart that a baby is born with. The word comes from the Latin 'congenitus', meaning 'born together with'.

Immunisation (also called vaccination) is the process of giving a child a vaccine to protect them against specific infectious diseases. The UK childhood immunisation programme starts at eight weeks old and covers diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

An acute illness starts suddenly and is usually short-lived, such as a fever or ear infection. A chronic illness lasts a long time, often for life, such as asthma, type 1 diabetes or cystic fibrosis. Children with chronic conditions often need ongoing monitoring, regular medication and multidisciplinary paediatric support.

Failure to thrive (FTT) describes a pattern where a child's growth falls significantly below expected norms or drops across two or more centile lines on a growth chart. It can result from insufficient calorie intake, poor nutrient absorption or increased metabolic demands. Early identification and intervention are important.