The Pediatric

History Taking

By
Professor Abdulatif Al Faraidy
History Taking
is an Art
and ideally should be learned
from working with good clinicians in action
To know the abnormal you must know the
normal
Children Are Not Small Adults
Variations depending on age:
Physical
Physiological
Biochemical
Behavioral
Intellectual
Emotional
 History Taking (continued)

Techniques
 Identification:Name, Sex, Age,
Date of Birth, Nationality, Region,
Parents name, Telephone Numbers
 Informant ( who? reliable ?)
 Chief Complaint ( use parents
words )
 History of Present Illness : Detailed,
Medications
 Interval History
 History Taking (continued)

 Personal History and Habits

 Nutritional History: Breast feeding?

weaned? Bowel motions? Allergies?

 Past Medical History:

Prenatal History
Birth and Neonatal History
Illnesses, Medications, Hospitalizations,
Surgeries, Transfusions, Allergies
Immunizations:Schedule, Reactions
 History Taking (continued)

 Family and Social History:

Consanguinity and degree
Parents : age, Education, Occupation,
Income, Smoking and Health
Siblings ( Pedigree and age ), Neonatal
Deaths
Family Illnesses: Allergies, Diabetes,
Asthma, etc
Contacts, Travel
Social History:, Housing, Who is living
with the child, Pets, Transportation
 History Taking (continued)

 Developmental History: ( Milestones of

Development)
Gross Motor
Fine Motor
Language Skills
Social &Behavior Skills

 Others:
• Schooling ( Level & Performance)
• Sphincter Control

 System Review
Some important Tips

 Proper Dressing and clean

 Establish a friendly relationship:

Smile, Greet parents and child

 Introduce your self, make pleasant remarks
 Make note of the name and sex of the child, sit
down, do not raise your voice, do not stare at
the child
 Some important Tips (continued)

 Learn to listen
 Mother is right until proven otherwise
 Learn to observe carefully during history
taking
 Have some toys to distract the child
 Keep child in mothers lap if needed
 Some important Tips (continued)

 Be considerate, courteous, non critical and

dignified
 Show Sincerity and skills and parents will
cooperate
 Complete history later or during examination if
needed
 Modify the sequence according to the situation
Thank You