Family-centered rounds (FCR) guide
Family-centered rounding is very much the norm for inpatient pediatric medicine. Unlike our adult counterparts, the pediatric patient population always comes as a dyad with their caregiver, and the caregivers are the ones making the medical decisions for our patients. To build strong rapport with the patient-caregiver dyad, it is important to learn how to […]
IgA vasculitis
IgA vasculitis, formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP), is a common small-vessel vasculitis in children, characterized by a classic tetrad of symptoms: Purpura. Arthralgias or arthritis. Abdominal pain. Renal involvement. Although it often has a self-limiting course, early recognition and management are crucial to prevent potential complications. This article provides an in-depth overview of IgA […]
Common electrolyte derangements in children
Although not exhaustive, this guideline will go through the more common electrolyte derangements seen in inpatient pediatrics. It is important to note that certain patient populations, such as those in the NICU, on TPN, or those with diabetes insipidus, may have much more nuance to their electrolyte management than is discussed below. Electrolyte derangements are […]
Urinary tract infection
In children, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are common and often easily resolved with proper treatment. There are certain areas in pediatrics that differ from the adult population: Ascertaining symptoms of a UTI in nonverbal children (whether due to age or development) can be tricky, and it must be considered on the differential for many vague […]
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder of childhood and adolescence. It is a syndrome of disturbed energy homeostasis, caused by a deficiency of insulin or of its action, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Type 1 DM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) is characterized by severe lack of insulin and […]
Skin and soft-tissue infections
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in pediatrics account for a large amount of both outpatient and inpatient visits per year and can range from the simple/self-resolving to life-threatening infections. This guideline will focus on the three most common manifestations: impetigo, cellulitis/erysipelas, and abscess. Epidemiology There are more than 500,000 emergency department visits per year […]
Sepsis and septic shock
Sepsis and septic shock represent a severe manifestation of infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality in children. They remain prevalent in the pediatric population both in resource-limited and resource-abundant regions. The definitions for sepsis and septic shock in children were updated in 2024 by the International Society of Critical Care Medicine Pediatric Sepsis Definition […]
Seizures
Seizures are relatively common on a population level, and about 1 in 10 people will have a single seizure in their lifetime but only a small percentage will go on to develop epilepsy. In pediatrics specifically, abnormal movements do not always turn out to be seizures, and seizure semiology and differential both can vary based […]
Respiratory distress and failure
Respiratory distress and respiratory failure are critical conditions in pediatric medicine, requiring prompt recognition and intervention. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical features, differential diagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions, tailored for pediatric residents. Epidemiology Respiratory distress and failure are common in infants and children, with varying incidence […]
Pediatric pain management
What is pain? In a general sense, pain can be thought of as, “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage” (International Association for the Study of Pain 1979). But a more important definition for providers to keep in mind is that pain […]