HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

The circumference of the head in infants is often measured to detect an abnormally small or large skull, and to
allow the medical treatment of any underlying cause (eg. hydrocephalus, microcephaly) at an early stage. A tape
measure is placed around the head from front to back and manoeuvred until the maximum possible reading has
been obtained.
    Charts (see below) have been prepared which enable head circumference to be compared against a normal
standard for each age, and variations from the normal to be plotted.

HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE B INFECTION

Haemophilus influenzae B (HiB) is a bacterial infection that in children causes meningitis or epiglottitis, and in
adults may affect numerous organs. It is spread by close contact and can cause infections in any age group, but is
far more serious in children.
    In children it may cause:-
          - Meningitis, which is an infection of the meninges (covering of the brain) that results in a fever,
          irritability,   lethargy,   seizures   and   coma.   The   onset   of   meningitis   may   be   so   rapid   that   the   child
          may   be   permanently   affected   (eg:   by   deafness,   learning   difficulties   and   other   forms   of   brain
          damage) before any treatment can work.
          -  Epiglottitis, which is a life threatening infection of a piece of cartilage at the back of the throat
          that may swell and block the airways.
    Blood and fluid from the spinal cord can be tested to confirm the diagnosis.
    In   children   potent   antibiotics   are   needed   for   treatment,   and   they   must   be   given   by   injection.   The   swollen
epiglottis (piece of cartilage at the back of the throat) may choke the child before the antibiotics can work, so urgent
hospitalisation and intubation (placing a tube into the throat to permit breathing) is essential.
    Good   recovery   occurs   if   the   infection   is   diagnosed   and   treated   early,   but   permanent   damage   or   death   are
possible in children if treatment delayed.
    A vaccine for infants has been available since 1993 to prevent HiB infections. It is given as three or four doses,
two months apart, starting at two months of age. It is not recommended for use in adults, but is unlikely to cause
problems if given accidentally.        Common: side effects may include redness and soreness at the injection site, while
unusual   effects   may   include   irritability,   tiredness,   sleeplessness,   diarrhoea   and   a   rash.   It   should   be   used   with
caution in fever, acute infection or immune system problems. It must not be inject into a vein.

GROWTH REDUCED

Before a parent becomes concerned about the failure of a child to grow in height or weight, they should look at
themselves. If both parents are small, it is unlikely that the child is going to reach average height. Genetics play a
vital   part   in   development   and   growth,   and   many   of   the   causes   of   abnormally   reduced   growth   are   caused   by   a
defect in the individual’s genes.
    A child that is deprived of adequate nutrition will obviously not reach his or her expected height or weight, and
anyone who suffers from a long-term illness will have his or her growth affected. Conditions as varied as severe
asthma, underactive thyroid gland, heart disease (eg. hole in the heart), kidney infections or failure, coeliac disease
(inability to digest gluten in wheat), other conditions in which food is poorly absorbed, deficiencies of vitamins or
minerals (particularly zinc), Crohn disease (thickening and ulceration of a segment of gut) and cystic fibrosis (thick
mucus in lungs and gut) are examples.
    Steroid drugs may be used to control some long-term diseases, but can affect growth as a side-effect.
    Psychiatric conditions such as anorexia nervosa may severely affect the nutrition of teenagers (particularly girls)
and prevent them from ever reaching their expected height or weight.
    The pituitary gland in the centre of the brain controls every other gland (eg. thyroid, ovary, testes) in the body. If
this becomes diseased or damaged by a tumour it will have generalised adverse effects including altered growth
rates.
    Precocious puberty is the term for a very early development of adult sexual characteristics. Growth may cease
early when this occurs, resulting in the individual being shorter than expected.
     Foetal alcohol syndrome is caused by the mother drinking excessive amounts of alcohol during pregnancy, and
results in a small baby that grows very slowly in the first few years of life. Small amounts of social drinking, and
even the occasional episode of drunkenness during pregnancy do NOT cause this problem (although they are not
advisable).
    A   large   number   of   rare   syndromes   that   affect   the   individual’s   genetic   make-up,   bodily   functions   and   general
health can affect growth and result in dwarfism. A few of these include:-
          - Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome (poor food absorption, poor coordination)
          - Cockayne syndrome (blind and deaf)
          - de Lange syndrome (intellectual disability, small head, hairy skin)
          - Down syndrome (broad face, intellectual disability, slanted eyes)
          - Hurler syndrome (abnormal facial development, inflamed joints)
          - Laron dwarfism (due to lack of somatomedin C).
          - Noonan syndrome (wide neck, prominent chest)
          - Turner syndrome (female who fails to develop sexually due to a genetic defect)

- von Gierke syndrome (low blood sugar, persistent diarrhoea)
          - Russell-Silver syndrome (uneven size of body sides).

GLUE EAR

A glue ear develops when phlegm and mucus from
the   nose   pass   up   the   thin   Eustachian   tube   into   the
middle ear. It is difficult  for  these  thick,   sticky
secretions   to   escape   through   the   Eustachian   tube   to
the back of the nose, particularly if the adenoids, which
surround   the   opening   of   the   tube   into   the   nose,   are
swollen.
There   is   a   feeling   of   blockage   in   the   affected   ear
similar to that felt when descending (more common) or
ascending   a   mountain   and   being   unable   to   pop   the
ears   clear.   The   glue   may   also   be   responsible   for   a
middle ear infections (otitis media) and deafness.
    Examination   of   the   ear   by   an   otoscope  (magnifier
and light) shows an opaque and bulging eardrum, and
special   instruments   can   measure   the   pressure   in   the
middle ear. The surgical insertion of a small tube (grommet) through the eardrum to relieve the pressure is often
necessary.  Recurrent     cases   may     require   the   surgical   removal    of  the   adenoids,    which    are   lymph    nodes    that
surround the nasal opening into the Eustachian tubes. There are very good results after appropriate treatment, but
the problem may recur after the grommets fall out.
    See also EARACHE; OTITIS MEDIA

GERMAN MEASLES

German      measles     (rubella   or  third  disease)   is  a  contagious    viral  infection caused      by  a  Togavirus,    which   is  widespread     in  the  community,      and   causes
 epidemics every few years. It spreads from one person to another with coughs and sneezes, but can be caught only once in a lifetime, although an infection in a child may be so mild that it is completely overlooked. The incubation period is two to three weeks. Infection occurs most commonly in children, and produces a fine rash over the body that lasts only two or three days, is not itchy, and is not accompanied by the sore eyes and cold symptoms associated with common measles. There are often some enlarged lymph nodes at the back of the neck, and in severe cases there may be a fever, runny nose and joint pains. If a pregnant woman catches the disease between the sixth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy, infection may cause blindness, deafness, heart damage and other serious defects to her child. As a result, an antibody blood test is sometimes done to confirm the disease or determine the immune status of a pregnant woman. Paracetamol   for   fever   and   discomfort   is   all   the   treatment   that   is   necessary.
Children must be excluded from school for four days after the rash first appears. An effective vaccine is available, and all children are now given mumps, measles and rubella as a combined vaccine   at   one   and   four   years   of   age.   Once   infected   with,   or   vaccinated   against   rubella,   antibody   levels   rise
permanently and reinfection is not possible.

GASTROENTERITIS

Gastroenteritis  is  a  viral  infection  of  the  gut.  The  rotavirus  is  one  of  the most  common  viruses  responsible, particularly in children, and it often appears in epidemics, and usually in spring or early summer. It passes from one person  to  another  through  contamination  of  the  hands  and  food.  Another  virus  that may  be  responsible  is  the
Astrovirus amongst many others.
Patients develop an uncomfortable  feeling  in  the stomach, gurgling, cramping pains and  then vomiting. A  few hours  later  the  vomiting  starts  to ease, and diarrhoea develops. The  infection  lasts  from one  to  three days and
young children may become rapidly dehydrated and require urgent hospitalisation.
Usually no investigations are necessary, but faeces tests may be performed if another cause is suspected and blood tests are sometimes necessary for dehydration.
The  treatment  involves a specific diet  to  replace  the  fluid and vital salts  that are  rinsed out of  the body by  the vomiting  and  diarrhoea,  and  then  careful  reintroduction  of  foods.  In  adults,  medications  can  be  used  to  slow diarrhoea, and paracetamol can be used for belly pain at all ages. Some children develop intolerance to milk sugar (lactose) after the infection, and this may prevent them from returning to a normal diet for weeks or months.

GASTROENTERITIS DIET
    Take small amounts of food and fluids very frequently (every hour), rather than large amounts three times a day.
    DAY 1          CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY.
                   Repalyte, Hydralyte and Gastrolyte (available from chemists and taste better if cold) are best, but
                   white grape juice, clear soups, Bonox, very dilute flat lemonade, very dilute cordial, and frozen
                   cordial may be used for a short time in milder cases. Average 50 mLs. an hour for a child, 100 mLs.
                   an hour for an adult.
                   Do NOT drink plain water.
                   Isomil, Prosobee, Infasoy etc. can be used as a milk substitute in infants.
                   Lactose free milk (“Lactaid”) may be used.
                   Breast milk is perfect for infants even with gastroenteritis.
    DAY 2          LIGHT DIET.
                   Continue clear fluids and add bread, toast, boiled rice, dry biscuits (eg: quarter slice of bread, half a
                   dry biscuit every half hour) .
    DAY 3          ADD NUTRITION.
                   Boiled vegetables, fruits, white meats (chicken breast, fish), cereals.
    DAY 4          GRADUALLY INCREASE FOOD INTAKE
                   Until return to normal.
                                                                  AVOID
             All dairy products (eg: milk, cream, cheese, butter, ice cream, custard, yoghurt), eggs, red meat,
                                            fatty and fried foods until completely better.

FUNGI

Mushrooms, the green slime that forms on stagnant pools, and tinea are all related. They are fungi. Fungi are
members of the plant kingdom, and are one of the types of microscopic life that can infect human beings in many
diverse ways.

FLOPPY BABY SYNDROME

The  floppy  baby  syndrome  is  a  partial  widespread  muscular  paralysis  in  an  infant.  Babies  fed  honey
contaminated with dust containing Clostridium botulinum are affected by the toxin produced by these bacteria.

FIFTH DISEASE

Fifth disease  (erythema  infectiosum)  is a common childhood viral disease caused by  the Parvovirus  that  last
from  two  to  five days, but occasionally may persist  for weeks.  It occurs  in
epidemics every few years, and virtually every child will eventually develop
the infection before their teenage years.

FEVER

The normal active human has a  temperature of about 37°C. The word  “about”  is used advisedly, because  the
temperature is not an absolute value.  A woman’s temperature rises by up to half a degree after she ovulates in the
middle of her cycle.

FEBRILE CONVULSION

Small children under the age of about four sometimes have convulsions because of a rapid rise in temperature.
The actual  temperature  is not as  important as  the  rate at which  the  temperature  rises. These  febrile convulsions

FEBRILE

Someone who has a fever (raised temperature) is described as febrile or feverish.

FAILURE TO THRIVE

Failure to thrive is a term use to describe babies and young children under two years of age who are lighter than
97% of children their age, and who do not put on weight or develop at the expected rate. 
Obviously the most common cause is neglect and starvation, and sometimes this can be difficult for doctors to
detect, and it is only when the child is hospitalised, or information is given by friends or relatives, that this problem
becomes apparent.

EPIGLOTTITIS

The  epiglottis  is  a  piece  of  cartilage  that  sticks  up  at  the  back  of  the  tongue  to  stop  food  from  entering  the
windpipe  (trachea)  when  swallowing.  Epiglottitis  is  an  uncommon  bacterial  infection  (most  commonly  by
Haemophilus  influenzae B  - HiB) of the epiglottis that is an acute medical emergency requiring urgent

ENCEPHALITIS

Encephalitis is any infection or inflammation of the brain tissue. 
Symptoms  may  be  very  varied  and  depend  on  the  part  of  the  brain  affected,  but may  include  headaches,

ECZEMA

many different forms of eczema also have innumerable causes, both from within the body (eg. stress) and outside
(eg. allergies, chemicals).
The  appearance  of  eczema  depends  more  on  its  position  on  the  body,  duration,  severity  and  degree  of

EAR WAX

Technically, ear wax is known as cerumen. It is secreted naturally in the outer ear canal by special glands, and
slowly moves out  to clear away dust and debris  that enters  the ear.  It also acts  to keep  the skin  lining  the canal
lubricated and  to protect  it  from water and other  irritants. The ear  is designed  to be self-cleaning, and attempts to
clean it may pack the wax down hard on the eardrum or damage the ear canal. 
Ear wax may cause problems if excess is produced, the wax is too thick, the ear canal is narrow,

EAR DISCHARGE

The medical  term  for an ear discharge  is otorrhoea. An ear may discharge wax, blood, pus, serum  (the pale
yellow liquid part of blood without the cells) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF - the fluid that surrounds and supports the
brain).
The most common substance to be discharged is wax, and if a patient has a fever, the higher temperature may

EARACHE

Ear pain (otalgia) is a very common problem, particularly in children, and because the pain is often caused by a
build-up of pressure  inside  the middle ear, normal  (and even prescribed) painkillers are often not effective. Only
reducing the pressure will ease the pain.

DUMMY

The  use  of  a  dummy  (pacifier)  always  causes  arguments.  If  a  parent  prefers  a  child  to  suck  a  dummy  to  a
thumb, or use one as a pacifier, there is no good reason why not, provided the dummy can be kept clean. To coat a
dummy  with  honey  or  some  other  sweet  substance  is  forbidden,  as  it  will  cause  dental  problems  and  almost
inevitably will lead to the child developing a propensity for sweet foods, which can cause lifelong problems.

DIPHTHERIA

Diphtheria is a childhood respiratory infection that is now rare in developed countries. 
It  is  caused  by  infection  of  the  throat  and  trachea  (the  tube  leading  to  the  lungs)  by  the  bacterium
Corynebacterium diphtheriae that releases a toxin that is responsible for most of the symptoms and complications.
It spreads from one person to another in the breath, and the incubation period is two to seven days.

DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea is the frequent and excessive discharge of watery fluid from the bowel. Diarrhoea is really a symptom
of disease rather than a disease itself.
Absolutely  everyone  experiences  diarrhoea  at  some  time.  The  ten  metres  of  an  adult  human  gut  is  very
sensitive  to  irritants, and any  irritation of  the  lower half, particularly  the  last  two metres    (the  large  intestine), will
result in diarrhoea.

DERMATITIS

Any inflammation of the skin can be called dermatitis, so there are many different types of dermatitis.
It  is  often  very  difficult  to  determine  any  cause,  for  although  the  skin  is  the most  visible  of  our  organs,  its
diseases are very diverse and often difficult to diagnose.
In most cases simple steroid anti-inflammatory creams will control dermatitis, but it may become persistent and
widespread.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION

A cytomegalovirus  (CMV)  infection  is an extremely common viral  infection affecting between 10% and 25% of 
the entire population at any one time. Infection rate may be in excess of 80% in homosexual men. It may be a
serious  illness  in  patients  who  have  reduced  immunity  due  to  treatment  with  cytotoxic  drugs  for  cancer,

CRYING

CRYING
Babies cry for only a limited number of reasons:
  - pain (eg. colic, teething, sore throat, injury)
  - hunger
  - discomfort (eg. a wet nappy, cold)
  - tiredness
  - if their carers are stressed or upset.

COT DEATH

The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death is the sudden unexpected death of an apparently normal
healthy child  in whom a subsequent detailed post-mortem examination reveals no cause  for  the death. A baby  is
put to bed and some hours later is found dead. There is no evidence of disturbed sleep and no cry is heard.

CONVULSION

A  fit,  seizure or  convulsion  (the  terms are  synonymous)  is a  result of a disturbance  in  the  functioning of  the
brain. A convulsion may be minor and involve the simple twitching of one limb, or major in which the patient loses
consciousness, many muscle groups go  into uncontrolled  intermittent  spasm,  the patient  falls,  sweats profusely,

CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the outer surface (cornea) of the eye, due to an allergy, or a viral or bacterial
infection.
A bacterial conjunctivitis  is  the most common  form, and  is due  to bacteria  infecting  the  thin  film of  tears  that
covers the eye. It is very easily passed from one person to another (eg. a patient rubs their eyes with a hand, then

COMFORTERS

Some  children develop an attachment  for a particular  toy or article. This may be a  teddy bear or  soft  toy, or
simply a piece of blanket, which gives the child a feeling of comfort and security. Some children only require their

COLD, COMMON

COLD, COMMON
A common cold (coryza is the technical term) is a very common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. One
or more  of  several  hundred  different  rhinoviruses may  be  responsible. A  cold  is  a  distinct  entity  from  influenza,
which is caused by a different group of viruses.
Colds spread from one person to another in droplets of moisture in the breath, in a cough or in a sneeze. Once

COLD, COMMON

A common cold (coryza is the technical term) is a very common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. One
or more  of  several  hundred  different  rhinoviruses may  be  responsible. A  cold  is  a  distinct  entity  from  influenza,
which is caused by a different group of viruses. 

CHILD SMALL

If there is concern about a child’s growth, it is initially measured for height, weight and head circumference and
these measurements are compared with those of other children using statistical tables. The height of the parents

CHILDREN’S MEDICATION DOSAGE GUIDE

CHILDREN’S MEDICATION DOSAGE GUIDE
Ensure that medication is suitable for use in children.
For children over two years of age:-
  Paediatric dose = (Age in years x Adult dose)/Age in years +12
   Paediatric dose =  (Age in months x Adult Dose)/150

CHILDHOOD

The years from two to adolescence are mostly taken up with growing, being educated, and learning to interact
with the family and society at large. By the time children are five and ready to start school, most of their behaviour
problems will have settled down.

CHILD ABUSE

Child  abuse  is  also  known  as  battered  baby  syndrome  and  Caffey  syndrome  (named  after  the  American
paediatrician John Caffey who in 1946 first drew attention to the phenomenon).
The physical abuse of a child is no so much a symptom, but a cry for help in many cases, from a parent who is
not coping with the stress of childcare. At some stage in the first few months of their baby's life, most parents feel

CHICKENPOX

Chickenpox (varicella)  is a generalised  infection caused by  the virus Herpes zoster.  Infection occurs when  the
virus passes  to another person  from  the  fluid-filled blisters  that cover  the body of patients, or  in  their breath and
saliva. Patients are infectious for a day or two before the spots appear, and remain infectious for about eight days.
The incubation period is 10 to 21 days. 

BRONCHITIS

Bronchitis is a very common infection of the major tubes (bronchi) that carry air within the lungs, but it occurs in
two very different forms, acute and chronic.
The acute form is commonly caused by viruses, occasionally by bacteria, and rarely by fungi. It spreads easily
from  one  person  to  another  on  the  breath.  The  symptoms  include  a fever, chest aches and pains, headache,

BRONCHIOLITIS

The respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) is responsible for bronchiolitis, a lung infection of children under two years
of age. The infant develops a cough and wheeze, shortness of breath and a runny nose. In severe cases, the child
may be very weak,

BREASTS ENGORGED

BREASTS ENGORGED
One of  the most  common breast problems  is engorgement, which  is not only uncomfortable but may  lead  to
difficulty in feeding and to infection. If the breasts are swollen and overfilled with milk, expressing the excess milk
usually  relieves  the  discomfort.  This  can  be  done  by  hand  under  a  shower  or  into  a  container, 

BREAST MILK INADEQUATE

If  the  milk  supply  appears  to  be  inadequate,  increasing  the  frequency  of  feeds  will  increase  the  breast
stimulation, and the reflex between the breast and the pituitary gland under the brain is also stimulated. This gland
then  increases  the  supply  of  hormones  that  cause  the  production  of  milk.  Sometimes,  medications  (eg.
domperidone, metoclopramide) that stimulate the pituitary gland can be used to increase milk production, or even
induce milk production in mothers who adopt a baby.
A mother who is tense and anxious about her new baby may have trouble breastfeeding. The mother should be
allowed plenty of time for feeding and relaxation so that she becomes more relaxed and never feels rushed. A lack
of privacy can sometimes be a hindrance  to successful breastfeeding. Lots of  reassurance, support  from  family,
and advice  from doctors, health centre nurses or associations  that support nursing mothers can help her  through
this difficult time.
The best way to determine if the baby is receiving adequate milk is regular weighing at a child welfare clinic or
doctor's surgery. Provided the weight is steadily increasing, there is no need for concern. If the weight gain is very
slight, or static, and increasing the frequency of feeds fails to improve the breast milk supply, then as a last resort
supplementation of the breast feeds may be required. It is best to offer the breast first, and once they appear to be
empty of milk, a bottle of suitable formula can be given to finish the feed.

BREAST MILK

Breast milk is the perfect food for babies, and can be used alone up to three months of age. It is cheap, easily
digested,  results  in  minimal  faeces  production,  protects  against  numerous  infections  (eg.  gastroenteritis,
bronchiolitis) and is conveniently packaged for immediate use without any messy preparation.

BREASTFEEDING FAILURE

BREASTFEEDING FAILURE 
Most women hope  to  feed  their newborn child  for  the  first  few months of  life, but unfortunately not all women
succeed.  The most  common  reason  for  failure  is  emotional  or  physical  stress.  The  harder  the  woman  tries  to
succeed,  the more  she  fails.  Being  relaxed with  the  baby,  the  concept  of  breastfeeding,  and  the  physical  and
emotional surroundings is vital.

BREASTFEEDING &

BREASTFEEDING
Breastfeeding is technically known as lactation. 
After birth, a woman’s breasts automatically start  to produce milk  to  feed  the baby. The admonition  “breast  is
best”  features prominently on cans of  infant  formula and on advertising  for breast milk substitutes  in many  third-
world  countries,  and  there  is  little  doubt  that  it  is  true.  Because  of  poverty,  poor  hygiene  and  poorly  prepared
formula, bottle-feeding should be actively discouraged in disadvantaged areas. 
Unfortunately,

BOTTLE FEEDING

BOTTLE FEEDING
Although cow's milk  is part of  the normal diet of most Western nations,  it  is not suitable  for young babies. The
naturally  intended  food  for babies  is breast milk, and a baby who  is not being breastfed must be  fed with special
formulas developed to approximate breast milk, which has more sugar and less protein than cow's milk. 

BOTTLE CARIES

BOTTLE CARIES
Nursing bottle dental decay or bottle caries is a type of decay associated with prolonged feeding of sugary fluids
from a nursing bottle. Affected children are often put  to bed with a bottle  full of sweetened milk,  juice or cordial,
which remains in their mouth even when   asleep. A dummy dipped in honey is another possible cause.

BONDING

Effective bonding between a mother and her baby is critical form the wellbeing of both. 
If an  infant  is deprived of maternal care, although  fed and kept comfortable,  it will develop slowly  in all areas
including  physical,  intellectual  and  emotional.  Such  infants  are  small  for  their  age,  poorly  nourished,  apathetic,
respond inappropriately to stimuli, do not develop language skills and become inactive.
Bonding begins before birth as the mother feels foetal movements within her. After birth, the mother and baby

BEHAVIOUR THERAPY

BEHAVIOUR THERAPY
Behaviour (behavioural) therapy is used by psychologists and psychiatrists to modify a patient's behaviour.    In
its basic principle, a patient is taught by rewards that acceptable behaviour is better than unacceptable behaviour,
which may be punished by withholding a pleasure, or giving  “time out”  to  the patient.  It  is a modification of  the
“carrot and stick” technique traditionally used with donkeys. One of the most successful models is that promoted by
Triple P.

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS & BED WETTING

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS
See CONJUNCTIVITIS

BED WETTING
Bed wetting  (enuresis)  is a medical problem  that makes businessmen dread overnight  trips  to a  conference,
causes marriages  to break up, stops  teenagers  from spending  the night at a  friend’s, and drives  the mothers of
some children to desperation. 

BACTERIA

Tonsillitis,   pneumonia,   cystitis,   school   sores   and   conjunctivitis   all   have   one   thing   in   common  -   they   are   all
caused by bacteria. Bacteria are not all bad. They are essential for the production of many foods, from wine and
beer to mature cheese and yoghurt.

BACTERIA

BACTERIA
Tonsillitis,  pneumonia,  cystitis,  school  sores  and  conjunctivitis  all  have  one  thing  in  common  - they are all
caused by bacteria. Bacteria are not all bad. They are essential  for  the production of many  foods,  from wine and
beer to mature cheese and yoghurt. 

BABY SMALL & BABY TEETH

BABY SMALL
See CHILD SMALL; FAILURE TO THRIVE; GROWTH REDUCED

BABY TEETH
Baby  teeth  (also  known  as  primary  or  deciduous  teeth)  are  twenty  in  number.  They  are  gradually  replaced
during childhood and the teenage years by 32 permanent adult teeth.
Both baby and adult teeth are located and shaped according to the role they play in the mouth. The front teeth
are  incisors, and are  responsible  for cutting  food. The eye  teeth  (or canines) are shaped  to  tear  food, while  the
back teeth (molars) are responsible for grinding.
Each  baby  tooth  also  has  a  very  important  part  to  play  in minding  the  appropriate  space  in  the  jaw  for  the

BABY SLEEP PROBLEMS

More  than  half  of  all  parents  experience  problems  with  their  baby’s  sleep  pattern  between  six  and  twelve
months of age. These problems may include difficulty in getting to sleep, frequent night waking, and failing to return
to  sleep  after  waking.  They  are  often  the  result  of  a  behaviour  the  child  has  learned,  and  rarely  due  to  any
underlying medical problem.

BABY FLOPPY &HAIR &MEASLES &MILK

BABY FLOPPY
A generalised lack of muscle tone in a newborn infant is an uncommon problem, but may be a sign of serious
illness. 
If  the baby  is  floppy, and not moving arms and  legs spontaneously a serious viral or bacterial infection caught
before birth from the mother, or in the first few days of life, may be responsible. 
Malnutrition in the mother causing poor nutrition of the baby, or poor nutrition of the baby after birth (often due to
failure of breastfeeding), is another cause.

BABY BLUES & COLIC 7 FEEDING

BABY BLUES
See POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

BABY COLIC
See INFANTILE COLIC

BABY FEEDING
A baby will normally be introduced to solids at about four months. These will consist of strained vegetables and
fruits. At  the beginning  they are not a substitute  for milk but are simply  to get  the baby used  to  them. Gradually
solids  become  an  integral  part  of  the  diet,  and  by  six  months  the  amount  of  milk  can  usually  be  reduced  in
proportion to solids in each meal.

ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

Allergic  (vernal  or  atopic)  conjunctivitis  is  an  allergy
reaction involving the surface of the eye.
If a pollen, dust or other substance  to which a person  is
allergic  lands  on  the  eye,  an  allergy  reaction  will  occur.
Allergic conjunctivitis  is often associated with hay  fever and
often only occurs at certain times of the year.

ACNE NEONATORUM

ACNE NEONATORUM
Acne neonatorum is a temporary and benign form of acne that occurs on the face of newborn infants due to the
immaturity of  the sebaceous  (oil) glands  in  their skin.  It settles within a month or  two of birth with minimal or no
treatment.
See also SEBORRHOEIC ECZEMA

BABIES

A  child  grows  faster  during  babyhood  than  at  any  other  stage  of  its  life,  including
adolescence. By the age of 18 months a girl is usually half her adult height, and a boy is by the
age of two years. 
There  is  little correlation between  the rate of growth  in childhood and eventual height. Many
children grow quickly and then stop early so that they are short, whereas others seem to grow at
a slower pace but continue until they outstrip everyone else. 
The most significant  factor  in determining height  is heredity  -  the children of  tall parents will