Enrollment year
2020/2021
Academic discipline
MED/38 (GENERAL AND SPECIALISED PEDIATRICS)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTICS
Course
MEDICINE AND SURGERY
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
2nd semester (03/03/2025 - 06/06/2025)
Lesson hours
40 lesson hours
Prerequisites
Successful completion of the General Pediatrics course is contingent upon a robust foundational knowledge in the following scientific disciplines:
Biochemistry: A comprehensive understanding of the fundamental chemical processes occurring within living organisms, with emphasis on metabolism, the structure and function of biomolecules, and the regulatory mechanisms of enzymatic reactions.
Human Physiology: In-depth knowledge of the functional intricacies of the various systems and apparatuses comprising the human body, their interdependencies, and the maintenance of homeostasis.
General Pathology: A thorough understanding of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying disease processes, the physiological responses to bodily insults, and the fundamental principles guiding diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.
Furthermore, proficiency in the following scientific domains is imperative:
Anatomy: A detailed comprehension of the macroscopic and microscopic structural organization of the human body, with particular emphasis on the unique anatomical characteristics of pediatric patients.
Pharmacology: A comprehensive grasp of the principles governing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the mechanisms of drug action, their potential interactions, and associated adverse effects, with specific attention to pharmaceuticals employed in pediatric populations.
Genetics: A solid understanding of the principles of heredity, the structural and functional aspects of genes, the occurrence and implications of genetic mutations, with a particular focus on genetic disorders manifesting in the pediatric population.
This prerequisite knowledge base serves as the cornerstone upon which the specific content of General Pediatrics will be built, enabling students to fully appreciate the nuances of pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic approaches in the context of pediatric diseases.
Learning outcomes
The main objective of the lessons is to provide the students with the primary information regarding normal physiology and development of pediatric age, together with essential notions for diagnosis and treating diseases occurring in childhood. Particular attention will be paid to hematological, oncological, immunological, and infectious disorders. At the end of the course, students must be familiar with the principal and peculiar pediatric diseases.
Course contents
During the frontal lessons the main issues related to the pathophysiological development and the disorders of childhood will be presented and discussed with the students.
Neonatology: physical examination of the newborn, infant jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, hyaline membrane disease, retinopathy of prematurity, intracranial-intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia.
Endocrinological disorders: Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus and other specific types of diabetes (MODY, neonatal diabetes), diabetes insipidus, obesity and metabolic syndrome, precocious/delayed puberty, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, neoplasia of the thyroid, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, disorders of sex development.
Cardiovascular System: fetal-neonatal and transitional circulation, congenital heart malformations.
Respiratory disorders: bronchiolitis, Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Asthma.
Gastrointestinal Diseases: hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, inflammatory bowel disease (chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, celiac disease).
Rheumatic Diseases: Rheumatic disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Kawasaki disease, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, rheumatic fever.
Nephro-urological diseases: Urinary Tract Infections, Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome.
Neurological disorders: Febrile seizures, acute bacterial meningitis, viral meningoencephalitis.
Infectious diseases: Measles, Rubella, Mumps, Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections, Epstein-Barr Virus, vaccinations.
Hematological diseases: Immunodeficiency, anemias, thalassemia syndromes, leukemias, thrombocytopenia, lymphoma, histiocytosis syndromes, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma.
Genetic syndromes: S. Klinefelter, S. Turner, S. Down, S. Prader Willi.
Teaching methods
Lectures and practical exercises
Reccomended or required readings
- Pediatria Essenziale, Trattato di clinica e terapia, V Edizione, Burgio, Martini, Nespoli, Notarangelo (editors), Edi-Ermes
Assessment methods
The final exam consists of an oral interview on the pathological conditions included in the program. One or more questions will be asked, one of which may involve the description of a clinical case. The ability to discuss the clinical picture and correctly formulate a differential diagnosis will be key elements for passing the exam.
The final grade (out of thirty) is calculated as a weighted evaluation of the grades obtained in the individual course modules.
Further information
Not applicable
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030
The educational activities are linked to the "health and well-being" goal of the 2030 Agenda, particularly on the theme of health for all ages. Among the most relevant pediatric aspects, training aims to reduce mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases, give equitable access to new and existing vaccines at all ages and in all places, and strengthen primary health care, contributing to achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development.
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