09125 - Paediatrics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student will possess the knowledge and ability to understand the main pathological conditions of the child relevant to rehabilitation. They will understand the assessment approach and the rehabilitative care of premature infants and high-risk newborns, as well as the physiology of pregnancy.

Course contents

Main physiological and pathological conditions relevant to neonatology and pediatrics that can interfere with the normal development of language, swallowing skills, and neuro-cognitive abilities of the child.

- Knowledge of the normal stages of the neuro-psycho-motor development of the child and of the determinants of development in the first 1000 days of the child's life
- Neonatal conditions in which language and communication disorders are part of more complex clinical pictures
- Main chronic pathologies predisposing to linguistic, swallowing, and neurocognitive disabilities
- Main syndromic conditions and complex phenotypes predisposing to linguistic and neurocognitive disabilities
- Most common issues in children with severe disabilities

Specifically, the program includes:

1. Knowledge
- Physiological and pathological neonatal adaptation
- Objective assessment of healthy and pathological newborns
- Perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
- Prematurity: possible short-term and long-term complications

2. Knowledge of the normal stages of growth and neuro-psycho-motor development of the child: in particular the knowledge of the percentile curves and developmental stages (Milani Comparetti chart)

3. Knowledge of pediatric conditions in which language and communication disorders are part of more complex clinical pictures: intellectual disabilities and congenital and acquired neurological diseases; genetic syndromes; cerebral palsy; deafness; specific learning disorders; neurodevelopmental disorders;

4. Pediatric conditions in which swallowing disorders are part of more complex clinical pictures: cleft lip and palate, dysphagia, gastro-esophageal reflux disease; major syndromic pictures (Down syndrome; Rett syndrome; Pierre Robin syndrome); congenital and acquired neurological disorders

5. Recognizing and treating pain in children: particular attention will be given to children with intellectual disabilities and those with difficulties in verbalizing pain

Readings/Bibliography

Pediatria Generale e Specialistica - A. Pession, G. Faldella

Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics 21st Edition

Teaching methods

- Frontal lessons

- Simulations of recurring clinical scenarios in pediatrics with direct participation from students.

Assessment methods

Oral examination

To pass the examination the student is requested to show knowledge of the topics described in the course contents.

The final exhamination evaluates the student’s achievement of the following learning outcomes:
- Knowing classification and main newborn characteristics, neonatal adaptation to extrauterine life, perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
- Knowing problematics related to prematurity: short and long-term clinical outcome
- Knowing main syndromes associated with language and neurocognitive disability
- Knowing main chronic conditions predisposing to language and neurocognitive disability.

Judgment Autonomy: The student must be able to use the acquired knowledge to develop their own independent judgment regarding the main clinical pictures.

Gradation of the final grade:

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical skills that emerge only with the help of the teacher, expressed in an overall correct language → 18-19; Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to autonomous analysis only on purely executive matters, expression in correct language → 20-24; Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology → 25-29; Basically exhaustive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflection → 30-30L.

Teaching tools

- Projected and commented slides during the lecture
- Online assessments on clinical cases and simulations
- Shared bibliographic material

Office hours

See the website of Federico Marchetti