Pediatricians



Editorials

Brief guide for pediatricians

  • Receptive attitude: consider every complaint, even if parents seem to exaggerate.
  • Collect information from the affected kid, family and school.
  • Carry out a full clinical record, from pregnancy and throughout development.
  • In order to make an ADHD diagnosis, typical symptoms must appear before the kid is 6 years old and at least in two of three areas (home/school/street).
  • Do not be hasty when making the diagnosis; a second visit is sometimes essential.
  • If you suspect there is some cognitive deficit, you may request a psycho-pedagogical report.
  • If the problem seems to persist only at school, you may contact the school directly or through the parents. Maybe the problem is an inappropriate school location or a learning disorder.
  • If the problem only appears in the family environment, explore which difficulties may exist in the family; you may also contact family centers or social services if the problem seems to be serious.
  • If you suspect there may be a mental health problem (including an ADHD), refer the patient to a child and teenager psychiatrist.
  • Advice on healthy lifestyles; diet, exercise, better communication of emotions, leisure and entertainment activities…
  • When the children visiting are receiving pharmacological treatment:
    • Review said treatment and its most typical secondary effects.
    • Reinforce therapeutic management.
    • Monitor weight and size constants, comparing them to regulatory curves.
    • Carry out an initial electrocardiogram and subsequent follow-up ones.

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