LECTURES

DR CECIL VELLA

Infant feeding, nutrition and growth

The importance and advantages of breast feeding are well known. We will discuss the use of special milks in different situations and the importance of adequate nutrition for future adult health. Growth monitoring and its importance in identifying disease in childhood will also be highlighted.

Respiratory problems in children

Common respiratory problems in children with special emphasis on infections of the respiratory tract. Pneumonias and bronchiolitis. The prevalence of asthma is increasing world wide. Some concepts of prevention and management of asthma and wheezing disorders in pre-school age children will be tackled.

Renal problems in childhood

The commonest renal problems in childhood will be discussed including differentiation between nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis. Urinary tract infections and their management and investigations will be tackled in detail. The importance of systematic and complete investigation of young children with urinary tract infections cannot be over-stressed. A brief overview of the causes of haematuria and hypertension in children will be tackled.

Child with diarrhoea, dehydration and malabsorption.

Acute gastroenteritis in childhood is still one of the commonest causes for admission to hospital and consultation with family practitioners. The acute and chronic complications of this infection will be discussed. Prolonged diarrhoea is a potential complication of acute gastroenteritis or may be caused by other conditions. The aetiology of failure to thrive secondary to chronic diarrhoea particularly caused by coeliac disease will be discussed.