Pediatrics

Pediatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with the development, health and illnesses of children. Pediatrics is a highly specialised area of physiotherapy and one that is challenging as well as rewarding. Therapists also work with kids in schools who have developmental delays and/or neurological conditions. The treatment of newborn infants, children and adolescents all come under the scope of pediatrics.

A child may be referred to physiotherapy if he/she has developmental delays that prevent him/her from achieving the milestones that are expected at that particular age. For example, a child born with spina bifida (a condition in which the spinal column does not close properly) may also have club foot which would impede walking, running and other gross motor activities. Therapy for this condition may be ongoing depending on the severity of the symptoms. The child may wear a brace to help stabilise the leg and correct the deformity. For more severe cases, wheelchair and transfer training may be necessary since the child may be unable to walk. Occupational therapy is helpful in teaching the child to perform basic ADLs.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects a child's movement and posture and can prevent the child from enjoying normal everyday activities. This condition which stems from either an abnormal development of, or damage to the movement centers of the brain, is a common disorder treated by physiotherapists. Symptoms may vary from difficulty with fine motor tasks such as reaching and grasping to problems with gross motor activities like standing and walking, to mental retardation, seizures and difficulties with speech, vision or hearing.

Children with cerebral palsy may exhibit all or some of the following: Spasticity (tight muscles), incoordination and lack of balance, weakness in the limbs and (ataxia) unsteadiness in the arms and legs. Some cases respond well to physiotherapy. The child may wear a brace to reduce incoordination. Daily range-of-motion exercises performed and are taught to the parents to reduce contractures and increase mobility. Postural control is also an essential part of the program. With regular therapy the child may eventually be able to use a walker. Where there are no cognitive or speech deficits (receiving and expressing information) the child can lead a reasonably normal life.

Other cases addressed in pediatrics are injury cases such as fractures and traumatic brain injury and decline in function due to illness. Traumatic brain injury is seen in young people who sustained some type of accident or fall. With these children as with the latter group, return to prior level of functioning is the primary goal. Physiotherapy seeks to make the sessions fun so the children look forward to coming to therapy.