10.4 Adrenal crisis Yuresh Naidoo Essentials 1 The prompt recognition of the possibility of adrenal crisis or the risk of adrenal insufficiency is paramount to early and appropriate management. 2…

8.4 Acute weakness Richard Lennon Essentials 1 The fact that a child has acute weakness may be obscured by an inability to communicate and a smaller repertoire of activities. The…

1.1 Approach to the paediatric patient Ian Everitt, Andrew Jan, Andrew Harris, Tom Everitt, Lisa Coutts Essentials 1 Gaining rapport with the child and the confidence of the parents is…

8.6 Headache Alistair Murray, John Ryan Essentials 1 The primary role of an emergency physician is to exclude a significant underlying cause for a headache, most urgently that of infection,…

5.1 Cyanotic heart disease and tetralogy of Fallot spells Robin Choong Essentials 1 Cyanosis is dependent on haematocrit and oxygen saturation. 2 Cyanosis is caused by arterial oxygen desaturation or…

5.2 Heart failure Robin Choong Essentials 1 Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a clinical syndrome and may result from: • excessive workload caused by increased pressure or volume, usually increased…

15.1 Paediatric gynaecology Pamela Rosengarten, Sonia Grover Essentials Prepubescent girls 1 Vaginal examination is inappropriate in paediatric patients and usually provides little information. Ultrasound may provide further information or, if…

18.1 Sexual assault Matt Ryan Essentials 1 Sexual assault occurs when a child is engaged in sexual activity that the child cannot comprehend, for which the child is developmentally unprepared…

22.2 Drowning Simon Wood Essentials 1 Drowning is defined as the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from immersion in liquid, regardless of the outcome. 2 Drowning is a leading cause…

16.4 Urinary tract infection in pre-school children Frank Willis Essentials 1 Urinary tract infection is common and potentially serious. 2 Septicaemia may occur in babies. 3 Renal scarring is a…