Kgothatso Legong, fourth year student at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, offers advice to fellow students following his first experiences of working in paediatrics. 

The paediatric wards were filled with wrenching cries, cute smiles, and lots of baby fever – literally. From attending neonatology in my first week of rotation to this block to finally getting my chance to writing my End-of-Block (EOB) test, paediatrics, and child health care for me was the most chaotic block ever. 

Here is what to expect in paediatrics:

1. Babies cry, a lot

At the wards we went to we were greeted by cries. The deeper we went inside the wards, the louder the cries got. At one point the baby was competing with the doctor on how loud she can be, that time it was during ward rounds. The doctor was teaching, but that baby won the how loud can your voice go up game. It is understandable why those cute patients cried: they were in pain and were in a very unfamiliar environment. On top of all that, a stranger would come from time to time and touch them with weird instruments and cold hands. I felt sorry for those babies, it must have been hard to deal with us all the time. But we meant well. It was very heartwarming seeing one of the patients I had presented for my case get discharged. The mother was more than happy. 

2. Babies get sick very easily

With their still developing immune system, babies are very susceptible to illnesses. Some of my classmates who had told my they like babies found this block very challenging as they had to see young kids with oxygen masks, head bandages, and all sorts of scars. They, however, were able to pull themselves up and perform as required. But it was not easy. It was not easy to engage with the parents as they are the ones who will tell you the history of the illness of their child since the child obviously cannot speak to you. 

3. No one reference range – frustrating

I got frustrated when I learned that reference range for blood pressure differs from children of different ages. At that point I realised that I must memorise a lot of numbers in my head. On top of that, pulse rate, respiratory rate and other ranges vary across ages. Fortunately, the ranges are visibly displayed on walls at wards. I was able to memorise the numbers will ease and quickly.

4. Neonates are best to work with

While still rotating in neonatology, we were requested to clerk a neonate. The pleasure it was to work with a child who sleeps throughout the whole examination. The child looked like a dream while wearing his onesie and all fragile. We took care to handle him like we were touching the most precious thing on this world. They baby did not do anything except to look adorable while asleep. The mother of the newborn was happy with how we interacted with her and said that we gave her baby a good stretch which he needed.

Even though paediatrics is not at the top of my list of most enjoyed blocks ever, it brought found memories I wish to treasure to eternity. It was amazing to have conversations with the parents of the patients and to offer them comfort at those very difficult times.