EXPORT CITATION

Chapter-02 Pediatrics in the Developing World

BOOK TITLE: The Short Textbook of Pediatrics

Author
1. Gupte Suraj
ISBN
9788184484694
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10983_2
Edition
11/e
Publishing Year
2009
Pages
10
Author Affiliations
1. Narayana Medical College/Narayana General and Superspeciality Hospitals, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh (India), Mamata Medical College and General and Super Specialty Hospitals, Khammam, Telangana, India, Mamata Medical College/Mamata General and Superspeciality Hospitals, Khammam, Telangana, South India, Mamata Medical College/Mamata, General and Superspecialty Hospitals, Khammam, Telangana, India, Postgraduate Department of Pediatrics Mamata Medical College and Hospital Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India, Mamata Medical College/Mamata General and Superspecialty Hospitals, Khammam 507002, Andhra Pradesh, India, Mamata Medical College/Mamata General and Superspecialty Hospitals, Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India, Mamata Medical College and Hospitals, Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India, Narayana Medical College/Narayana General and Superspeciality Hospitals, Nellore 524002, AP, South India, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, AP, India, Narayana Medical College and Hospitals, Nellore, AP, India, Children’s Health
Chapter keywords

Abstract

The chapter gets off the ground with the modern definition of pediatrics in such terms as “the study of the child from very conception through childhood, including adolescence”. Then it dwells on the status of pediatrics as an independent and unique specialty. Unlike other specialties, it deals with the exciting dynamic process of continuous care of the growing child, nay the whole child. Thereafter, the discussion touches changing pediatric scenario, the new definition of tropical pediatrics, rights of the child, contemporary disease pattern and changing concerns, mortality scenario and delivery of child health care, pediatric education, and new challenges. The chapter takes pains to emphasize that pediatric education in the developing word cannot be on the same lines as in the developed world since the priority needs of children in the two words are not the same. To drive home important points are provided such Tables as proportion of different age groups of children in relation to total population, ten basic rights of children as per United Nations Declaration of 1959, broad mortality data, under-5 mortality rate, infant mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate in India and some other countries, proportion of children dying before 5th birthday, etc. Also are given good-quality illustrations in the form of figures and pictures to lend further support to the key messages. Finally, there is an emphasis on endeavors targeted at better tomorrow for the child. The best pediatric slogan should be: Not many but healthy children, if we are keen on having a happier nation. Important medical advances likely to mitigate medical problems of children in India and other developing countries include better vaccines, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, food security, more appropriate public health policies and measures, enhances partnership for child health, so on and so forth.

Related Books

© 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved