TOPIC 5_DESIGNING A HEALTH

EDUCATION PLAN FOR A SPECIFIC

AGE GROUP
I.Infant
The most common fifteen infant and newborn baby diseases encountered could be
as listed below.
1. Birth Injuries
 Birth injuries could result from the use of the forceps
in getting the baby out of the birthing canal.
 Most babies will recover quickly from the trauma of
childbirth.
 Difficult labor and breech babies (presenting
shoulders or feet first) may suffer fractures of the
tender bones due to the pressure exerted in birthing,
instruments used, etc.
 The doctors will evaluate and treat the baby if such
injuries are severe.
2. Jaundice
 Jaundice is the excess of bilirubin causing
yellowish pigmentation of the skin.

 This is a fairly common problem with many

babies born with neonatal jaundice.
Neonatal jaundice normally resolves with
time.

 If serious, it is best left to the doctors to

evaluate and treat the baby, as the liver is
immature and unable to handle the bilirubin
from the gallbladder.
3. Colic
 Colic is when the baby cries continually
for no apparent reason.
 Normally, the baby feels discomfort and
is unable to express it.
 This should disappear by the time the
baby is 3 months of age.
 If colic persists, milk formula intolerance
should be ruled out and the underlying
condition diagnosed.
4. Abdominal distention
 Newborns have protruding and soft bellies.
Mothers need to observe the belly of the
infant. When the belly feels hard and swollen
to touch, gas or constipation could be the
causes.

 As the baby’s body begins to adjust to

feeding, the problem should get resolved.

 If a bluish tinge persists and much distention

of the abdomen is present, it could mean a
serious underlying problem with the internal
organs.
5. Bluish skin and Apnea
 Normally newborn children do have
bluish hands and feet.
 This fades in time as the blood
circulation improves.
 But bluish tinge around the mouth or
bluish tinge refusing to fade away could
mean you need to see your
pediatrician.
 Apnea is the stoppage of breathing for
15 to 20 seconds with resultant bluish
skin. Underlying condition indicated is a
heart problem that needs medical
attention and intervention.
6. Vomiting
 Vomiting of the feed is a very common infant
problem. Mothers are encouraged to burp the
child to prevent throwing up of the entire feed.
 A serious issue is indicated if the color of the vomit
is greenish and when vomiting persists. 
 Infants can get dehydrated very quickly and
medical help and treatment may be needed.
Lactose and breast milk intolerance is also a fairly
common problem that needs medical support and
monitoring.
 Frequent vomiting and spitting up of milk could be
due to infection or digestive problems.
7. Coughing
 The baby normally coughs when
feeding, if the milk flows too fast.
 Persistent coughing and gagging
when being fed could indicate a
problem with the lungs or the
digestive system.
 Coughing at night continuously may
indicate whooping cough or
respiratory problems.
8. Respiratory Distress
 This occurs when there is insufficient
oxygen for the baby due to blockage in the
nasal passage.
 It takes a few hours for the newborn baby to
learn to breathe normally.
 Once normal breathing is established, there
should be no more bluish coloration.
 If wheezing, grunting, nostril flaring and
bluish color persist, medical help may be
advised.
9. Anemia
 Anemia is the lack of hemoglobin,
indicating the level of oxygen in the
blood is low and that the blood is thick.
 Children of anemic mothers are born
anemic.
 Untreated anemia can be serious and
fatal.
10.Fever
 Fever is an indication that the body is
fighting an infection.

 However, high and persistent fevers of

above 101 degrees in newborns and
infants, can lead to serious or fatal
seizures and brain damage.

 Medical treatment for the infection must

be sought urgently.
11. Skin Problems
Problems like diaper rash and cradle
cap, are common skin issues which are
painful for the baby.
These are reactions of the skin to the
diaper, its dyes or diaper contents.
Frequent changing of diapers and use
of a good diaper cream is
recommended.
The baby’s hair should be washed with
mild shampoo, on a daily basis, if the
baby suffers from cradle cap.
12.Ear Infections
Ear infections are common infant
diseases. Babies tug at their ears and
are very fussy when they have ear
infections.
Viral infections are common and run
their course, to fade away in a few
days.
However bacterial infections can
lead to loss of hearing and may need
antibiotics.
13.Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal

infection of yeast occurring
in the mouth of babies.
Check with the doctor if it is
serious enough to administer
anti-fungal medication.
14.Cold and Flu
 These affect almost all infants and
newborns as they adjust to the
outside world.
 Though they appear insignificant, it
is always better to seek the doctor’s
advice.
 Pneumonia and other serious infant
diseases develop very fast in
newborns.
15.Diarrhea
 Diarrhea is a common reaction to
antibiotics and infections in infants.
 Keep the baby well hydrated with oral
saline and water.
 Change in color and texture of the
stools is always to be monitored.
 If in doubt, consult your doctor.

 Constipation is also very common in

infants and newborns.
II. TODDLER & PRE-SCHOOLER COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS
1. Sore throats are common in children
and can be painful.

Nursing Intervention
Suck on a throat lozenge, hard candy or
popsicle;
take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or
ibuprofen (Advil®);
gargle with warm salt water (1/4 tsp.
salt per glass of water);
Drink plenty of liquids; and eat soft,
bland foods.
Throat sprays (Chloraseptic®) can also
provide pain relief.
2. Ear Pain
 Ear pain is common in
children and can have many
causes:
 —including ear infection (otitis
media)
 swimmer's ear (infection of
the skin in the ear canal)
 pressure from a cold or sinus
infection, teeth pain radiating
up the jaw to the ear, and
others.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
 Bladder infections, also called urinary tract infections or UTIs, occur when
¬bacteria build up in the urinary tract. A UTI can be found in children
from infancy through the teen years and into adulthood.
 Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning during urination, the need to
urinate frequently or urgently, bedwetting or accidents by a child who
knows to use the toilet, abdominal pain, or side or back pain.
4. Skin Infection
 In most children with skin
infections, a skin test (culture
or swab) may be needed to
determine the most-
appropriate treatment.
 Tell your doctor if your child
has a history of MRSA, staph
infection, or other resistant
bacteria or if he or she has
been exposed to other family
members or contacts with
resistant bacteria.
5. Bronchitis
 Chronic bronchitis is an infection of the
larger, more central airways in the
lungs and is more often seen in adults.
 Often the word "bronchitis" is used to
describe a chest virus and does not
require antibiotics.
6. Bronchiolitis

 Bronchiolitis is common in infants

and young children during the
cold and flu season.
 Bronchiolitis is most often caused
by a virus, which does not require
antibiotics.
 most treatment recommendations
are geared toward making your
child comfortable with close
monitoring for any difficulty in
breathing, eating, or signs of
dehydration.
7. Pain
 The best medicines for pain relief for children
are acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
 Talk to your pediatrician about how much to
give your child, as it should be based on your
child's weight.
 Narcotic pain medications are not appropriate
for children with common injuries or complaints
such as sprained ankle, ear pain, or sore
throats.
 Codeine should never be used for children as
it's been associated with severe respiratory
problems and even death in children.
8. Common Cold
 Colds are caused by viruses in the upper
respiratory tract.

 Green mucus in the nose does not

automatically mean that antibiotics are
needed; common colds never need
antibiotics.

 if a sinus infection is suspected, your

doctor will carefully decide whether
antibiotics are the best choice based on
your child's symptoms and a physical
exam.
9. Bacterial Sinusitis

Bacterial sinusitis is caused by bacteria

trapped in the sinuses.

Sinusitis is suspected when cold-like

symptoms such as nasal discharge,
daytime cough, or both last over ten
days without improvement.
10. Cough
 Coughs are usually caused by viruses and do
not often require antibiotics.

 Cough medicine is not recommended for

children 4 years of age and younger, or for
children 4 to 6 years of age unless advised by
your doctor.
III. SCHOOL AGE
Common health problems for school-age children (over 5) include:
 colds, coughs and ear infections
 diarrhea and vomiting
 allergies
 infections and parasites
 For younger children, see early childhood health issues and concerns.
Some of the most common causes of allergies in
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN are:

pollen
mould
dust mites
certain food, such as nuts and shellfish
Clothing
Medicines
Latex
insect bites
Infections and parasites
Infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Infections that affect school children are:
 Bronchitis
 Chickenpox
 head lice
 measles
 meningitis
 scarlet fever
 urinary tract infections
 whooping cough
 worms.
 Immunization
 Immunizations can protect children against many potentially severe
infectious diseases. Vaccines are one of the most effective and safest
preventive care measures available.
IV. ADOLESCENT

 Road traffic injuries were the

leading cause of death among
adolescents in 2016.
 Other major causes of adolescent
deaths include suicide,
interpersonal violence, HIV/AIDS
and diarrheal diseases.
 Half of all mental health disorders
in adulthood start by age 14, but
most cases are undetected and
untreated. Dec 13, 2018
V. ADULT
 Aging Eye (including cataracts,
glaucoma and macular
degeneration)
 Allergy.
 Alzheimer's and Other
Dementias.
 Anemia.
 Anxiety Disorders (including
Panic Attacks and Phobias)
 Arthritis, (including
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid
Arthritis)
 Asthma.
 Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
VI.OLDER ADULT
 Adult onset diabetes.
 Arthritis.
 Kidney and bladder
problems.
 Dementia.
 Parkinson's disease.
 Glaucoma.
 Lung disease.