ABSTRACT

Approximately 20% of the work of any A and E department involves children under the age of 14. Whilst older children and adolescents can provide a history in the same way that an adult can, babies and young infants are much more difficult to deal with. A careful history must be obtained from the parents, with due weight being given to the mother’s opinion as she is the person most familiar with the child’s general condition. Physical signs can often be difficult to elicit in infants and the examination cannot be rushed.