Paediatric Physiotherapy

Motor development during the first five years of life – important considerations in motor development (growth/ maturation of the brain after birth, environment), sequence, principles of development. Introduction to motor control theories; reflex development and testing. Cerebral palsy – definition, aetiology, clinical features and classification, assessment, treatment approaches (Neuro developmental Therapy/Bobath’s method). Spina Bifida. Mental retardation (Downs Syndrome). Autism. Acute flaccid paralysis – poliomyelitis, sciatic nerve injection palsy, Gullian Barre Syndrome. Brachial plexus injuries (Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s paralysis, Duchenne – Klumpke’s paralysis). Muscular dystrophies. Orthopaedic problems in childhood -Congenital foot deformities, congenital hip dislocations, osteogenesis imperfecta, torticolis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophies. Cardiorespiratory disorders in children, e.g. cystic fibrosis, asthma and rheumatic fever.

At the end of the posting, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills in history taking and physical examination in paediatric disorders.
2. Demonstrate skills in analysing clinical data, setting of goals and identifying treatment outcomes for paediatric conditions.
3. Demonstrate skills in communicating management plan with parents/ carers.
4. Demonstrate skills in managing paediatric conditions commonly seen in physiotherapy clinics.
5. Students will be exposed to history taking, physical examination, measurement of degree of disability, clinical judgments and management of children with cerebral palsy, infantile brachial plexus injuries, spina bifida, acute flaccid paralysis, post immobilization stiffness, progressive muscular dystrophy, Down’s syndrome etc. Students will be taught appropriate ways of communicating treatment goals, treatment plans, exercise home assignments and advice to parents/carers.