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Continuity Clinic Notebook:

Chapter II. The Evaluation of the Sick Child

Chapter 2 Index

A. Evaluation by system:

1. General

2. HEENT

3. Cardiopulmonary

4. GI

5. GU

6. Orthopedics

7. Neurological
--Breath-Holding Spells

--Benign Febrile Seizures
--Treating Children with Seizures
--ADHD
--Occupational Therapy 

 

Pediatric Physiatry

Elizabeth Moberg-Wolff MD
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Training: Separate residency in rehabilitation medicine and fellowship in same specialty.

Goal of Physiatry:
Optimize a child’s function despite residual disability.

Operate as a team, which includes: patient and family, physiatrist, primary care and consulting physicians, nursing, PT, OT, Speech pathologist, Psychologist, nutritionist, recreation therapist, learning specialist, social worker.

Problems Handled by This Team Headed By a Psychiatrist:

  1. Evaluation of functional deficits by team: mobility, safety, cognition, communication, swallowing, equipment.
  2. Continued care related to disability: pressure sores, contractures, seizures, and scoliosis.
  3. Orthotic and prosthetic assessment and prescription; wheelchair prescription.
  4. Bowel and bladder management and education.
  5. Pulmonary rehabilitation.
  6. Family education and support.

Typical Types of Rehabilitation Patients:

1. CP, mild or severe 7. Traumatic brain injury
2. Spina Bifida/Spinal cord injury 8. Meningitis/encephalitis
3. Stroke/Brain tumor 9. Rheumatologic diseases
4. Amputees 10. Cardiopulmonary disorders
5. Metabolic/genetic disorders 11. Developmental delay
6. Muscular dystrophy 12. Brachial plexus palsy

Case report of case of spastic diplegia discussed.  Approach we should take with children:

1. General approach: Use ancillary services such as PT, OT.

2. Medications that can be used: Injections:

  1. Phenol (last 6 months) useful for treatment of spasticity of larger muscles.
  2. Botulinum toxin: (last 3 months) useful for treatment of spasticity of smaller muscles.

3. Surgery after four years of age.

4. Do not be afraid to use wheelchairs in children that need them.

5. Other meds such as Dantrium and Valium may be too sedative.

Be aware of the IEP (Individual educational program) that schools are required to create for every child with a disability.

Be an advocate for children with disabilities.

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Department of Pediatrics  |  Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
John T.  Benjamin M.D., 
jbenj@mcg.edu

February 27, 2004