An-Najah National University
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Pediatric Department
Course Specifications:
Course Title:
Pediatrics
2nd Clinical year (known as 5th year)
Academic year 2015/2016
Department:
Pediatrics
Program:
Medical Doctor Program
Code:
7223501
Course Duration:
12 weeks Rotation
Teaching Hours:
12 Credit hours
Teaching and learning
Facilities:
An-Najah National University Hospital
Affiliated Ministry of Health Hospitals
Affiliated Private and NGOs Hospitals
UNDER GRADUATE PEDIATRIC TEACHING OBJECTIVES
Aim of the course:
To enable students to provide basic health care for individuals in the pediatric age
group (Neonates, Infants, Children and Adolescents)and to acquire adequate
knowledge and appropriate skill for optimally dealing with major health problems
of children to ensure their optimal Growth and Development.
To apply ethical principles to clinical work
Treatment of the patient as a person, not as a disease.
Display the trust in dealing with the child and keep all his/her private information
about his/her illness confidential.
Give good attention and carefulness for all information given by the care provider
about the child.
Exhibiting and displaying a professional image in manner, dress, speech and
interpersonal relations that is consistent with the medical profession's accepted
standards in the community.
To enable the student to acquire the ability to assess and assist the well or the
sick child as an individual and within the family, to understand the responses of
the child and family to these situations and to efficiently and appropriately access
the resources available.
The clerkship integrates a foundation of medical knowledge with clinical and
communication skills to enable the student to identify and perform quality
pediatric care.
Intended Learning Outcomes of the Course (ILO`s)
Knowledge: The student will learn:
1) Normal growth, development and behavior and their assessment, as well as
approaches to abnormalities from infancy and up to the age of 14 years.
2) Common acute and chronic pediatric conditions, congenital and genetic
syndromes, and the importance of age on their manifestations and treatment.

Gain knowledge in the core topics of the curriculum.

Gain supplementary information and data from journals, texts, research,
the internet and other resources.

Demonstrate knowledge regarding the major illnesses and conditions that
affect newborns.

Demonstrate knowledge of health maintenance and preventive pediatrics,
including: immunization schedules and newborn screening.
Skills: The student will demonstrate competence in:
1) Communication skills:
- Interacting effectively and sensitively with families, children and adolescents,
and with health care teams in verbal and written presentations.
- Recognize the important role of patient education in prevention and treatment
of disease.
- Verbal Presentations: Organize a case presentation to accurately reflect the
reason for the evaluation, the chronology of the history, the details of physical
findings, the differential diagnosis and the suggested initial evaluation. Include
age specific information and precise description of physical findings. Justify the
thought process that led to the diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
2) History Taking: From parents, children and adolescents, collecting complete
and accurate information and focusing appropriately.
- Describe how to modify the interview depending on the age of the child, with
particular attention to the following age groups: toddler/preschooler, school-age
child, adolescent, including when to address questions to child versus parent.
3) Physical Exams: Exam of infants, children and adolescents, adapting
appropriately to the age of the patient.
- Learning the use of tools e.g stethoscope thermometer, sphygmomanometer
and reflex hammer.
- Apply basic anatomy to physical examination.
- Apply standard protective precautions and practicing sterile procedures and
proper hygienic practices.
- Comply with infection control guidelines.
4) Clinical Problem Solving: Using data from history, physical, labs and studies to
define problems, develop a differential diagnosis, and identify associated risks.
5) Clinical Decision Making: Incorporating patient data with patient needs and
desires when formulating diagnostic and therapeutic plans for pediatric problems
within the context of the patient and their family.
6) Self-Education: Recognizing knowledge deficits and learning needs through a
reflective self-assessment process. Seek feedback.
7) Participate in the selection of relevant laboratory and radiological tests.
8) Interpret results to support or rule out diagnoses and arrive at a working
diagnosis.
9) Interpret laboratory values according to age-related norms.
10) Evaluate children with chronic and unusual illness in the outpatient and subspecialty centers.
Professionalism: The student will be expected to:
1) Demonstrate compassion, empathy and respect toward children and families,
including respect for the patient’s modesty, privacy and confidentiality.
2) Demonstrate respect for patient, parent, and family attitudes, behaviors and
lifestyles, paying particular attention to cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic
influences.
3) Function as an effective member of the health care team, demonstrating
collegiality and respect for all members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate that you are a responsible team member and carry out all of your
assigned duties in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate that you are an effective member of the team by fully participating
in discussions and contributing to learning endeavors.
4) Identify and explore personal strengths, weaknesses and goals.
Sites:
General pediatric unit, pediatric emergency unit, neonatal intensive care, PICU,
outpatient clinics.
At the start of the clerkship an orientation is given. The student is
introduced to the key preceptors and staff members in the department.
The student also maintains a Manual Skills and Procedures Log in which are listed
the procedures performed or witnessed.
Teaching and Learning Methods
1- Formal didactic Lectures
2- Clinical and small group sessions: (Clinical demonstrations, practice of skills,
and discussions)
3-General Pediatric inpatient wards teaching (Bedside teaching). Clinical rounds
4- Outpatient clinic teaching.
5- Neonatal unit teaching
6-Seminars and Case presentation prepared by students
7- Clinical videos and use of audio-visual tools
8- Case research
9- Tutorials
10-Problem based learning
11- Clinical meetings
12-Literature review and review of reported cases
Exams
Grading
Tool
%
Assessment Method
Clinical evaluation
15%
Evaluation form
Clinical evaluation including
attitude, attendance, active
participation in clinical discussion
The student should submit 12 full
15%
End rotation OSCE
(and/or written and/or
VIVA)
pediatric clinical structured case
presentations as part of their
pediatric clerkship
1)
A clinical exam with long
and short cases
2)
A clinical slides exam
3)
An OSCE exam including
an an oral exam (Viva)
Final Exam
Total
70% (distributed
according to
Department
decision)
1- Written Exams
(Objective
questions,
calculations, data
& case analysis)
2- +-: VIVA +-:
OSCE (according
to Division
Decision)
100%
Pass mark: 70
Core curriculum
Topics which are included in the curriculum:
1)
Introduction to Pediatrics.
History taking
Examination – General and systemic
2) Growth and Development
Normal pattern and factors affecting growth and development.
Recognition of normal variants of growth and development.
Developmental assessment in infancy and childhood.
Assessment of growth.
Tools for assessment of growth and development at various ages
3)
Immunology
Bruton`s disease (X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia)
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
Ig A deficiency
Ataxia Telangiectasia
Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
DiGeorge Syndrome
Serum sickness
Wiskott Aldrich syndrome
4)
Fluids and electrolytes
Requirement in normal child
Fluid and electrolytes replacement
Acid base balance
5)
Nutrition
Breast feeding, lactation
Infant Feeding
Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
6)
Infectious diseases
Common exanthemas’ – Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Roseola infantum,
Scarlet fever, Chicken pox, Infectious Mononucleosis
Meningitis
Encephalitis
Enteric fever in children
Pediatric Candidiasis
Oral thrush
Common helminthic infections
7)
8)
Neonatology:
Normal newborn
Hypothermia
Low birth weight-IUGR
Neonatal sepsis
Neonatal jaundice
Biliary atresia
Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Duodenal atresia
Neonatal seizures
Respiratory distress in newborn
Neonatal resuscitation
Birth injuries
Brachial Plexus Injury-Erb`s palsy
Neonatal skin rashes
Erythema Toxicum and others
Cardiology
Congenital heart diseases
Ventricular Septal Defect
Atrial Septal Defect
Pulmonary Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis
Coarctation of Aorta
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Tetralogy Fallot
Transposition of Great Arteries
Atrioventricular Septal Defect
Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
Ebstein anomaly
Rheumatic fever
Infective endocarditis
Pericarditis
Heart Rhythm disorders
SVT
Long QT syndrome
Shock
9) Respiratory
ARI, croup, Epiglottitis
Asthma
Bronchiolitis
Pneumonia
Cystic Fibrosis
10)
Gastrointestinal
Gastroenteritis and dehydration
Diarrhea acute & chronic
Lactose intolerance
GERD
Sandifer syndrome
Congenital pyloric stenosis
Viral hepatitis
Inflammatory bowel disease –Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn`s disease
Peptic ulcer
Celiac disease
11)
Central Nervous System
Cerebral palsy
Seizure disorders and Pseudoseizures
Muscular Dystrophy-Duchenne
Spinal muscular Atrophy
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Myelomeningocele. Spina bifida
Neurocutaneus disorders: Neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis
12)
Renal
Acute nephritis- Acute post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
Nephrotic syndrome
Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome
Urinary Tract Infection-Pyelonephritis
Vesico-ureteric reflux
Renal failure
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Diabetes Insipidus
Renal Tubular Acidosis
Kidney stones
13)
Hematology
Anemias
Thalassemia
G-6-P-D deficiency
Sickle cell disease
Hereditary spherocytosis
Hemophilia
Other Bleeding disorders ITP, VW disease
14)
Endocrine and Metabolic disorders
Hypothyroidism
Hypoglycemia
Diabetes Mellitus
DKA
Approach to inborn error of metabolism
Galactosemia
Phenylketonuria
Congenital Adrenal HyperplasiaAmbiguous genitalia
Cerebral Salt-Wasting Syndrome
Growth Hormone Deficiency
Rickets
15)
Malignancies :
Hematological malignancies
Leukemias and Lymphomas
Solid Tumors
Neuroblastoma
Wilms tumor
Brain Tumors
16)
Psychiatric disorders
Child abuse and neglect
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
17)
Rheumatic Diseases
Juvenile Rheumatic Arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Neonatal and Pediatric
Familial Mediterranean fever
18)
Vasculitis Syndrome
Kawasaki Disease
Henoch Schonlein Purpura
19)
Bone and joint disorders
Osteomyelitis
20)
Skin Diseases
Atopic dermatitis
Eczema
Scabies
Periorbital and Orbital cellulitis
21)
Pediatric surgery
Intussusception
22)
Genetics
Pattern of inheritance
Family Pedigree
Down syndrome
Trisomy 18
Turner Syndrome
Trisomy 13
Prader-Wili Syndrome
23)
Poisoning
Paracetamol
Salicylates
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Iron poisoning
Hydrocarbon ingestion-Kerosene ingestion
Caustics
Snake bites
Scorpion stings
Topics Seminars prepared and presented by students
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Causes of development delay-Classification
Neonatal screening
Jaundice in older children
Cyanosis
Child with suspected immunodeficiency
Coma DD
Respiratory Distress DD
Abdominal pain-Infant colic
Aplastic anemia
Failure to thrive
Malabsorption Syndrome
Enuresis nocturnal and diurnal
Headache
Blood transfusions
Bleeding disorders-Classification
Hepatosplenomegaly
Blood gas interpretation
Chronic cough
Floppy infant-Approach
Constipation
Approach to the child with lymphadenopathy
Approach to the child with limping
Approach to the child with generalized edema
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Familiarity with common symptoms of malignant diseases of
children
Approach to the hypertension in children
Toxidromes
CBC, CSF, Urine analysis interpretation
Hypernatremia, Hyponatremia
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Hyperkalemia, Hypokalemia
Hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia
Immunization –schedule
Congestive cardiac failure
Hydronephrosis
Hematuria-Red urine,
Short stature
Obesity
Learning disability-Social Issues
Precocious and delayed puberty
Hyperactive child
Foreign Body
Approach to Pyrexia Unknown Origin
Abnormal gait-Ataxia
Sudden Infant death Syndrome
Neutropenia
Pediatric Food Poisoning
Pertussis
Apparent Life-Threatening Events
Pediatric Raynaud Phenomenon
Diaper rash
Upper G.I. Bleeding
Lower G.I.Bleeding
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. Screening and exam
technique
Anaphylaxis. Urticaria
Hypoglycemia-Infant diabetic mother
Large head-Small head
Growing pains-Flat feet
Hearing impairment
Tuberculosis
Behavior problems
Breath holding attacks
Temper Tantrum
Night terrors and mares
Thumb sucking
Ankyloglosia
Febrile convulsions
Comprehensive Textbooks and References
Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics, 20th Edition, Saunders publisher, edited by
Behrman, Kliegman, Jenson
Nelson Essential of Pediatrics, 7th edition
Abbreviated Reference Books
Harriet Lane Handbook, Mosby publisher, edited by senior pediatric residents at
The Johns Hopkins Hospital