Safeguarding the welfare of children: what is the nurse's role?

Everyone who works with children, including teachers, GPs, other medical professionals and the police, has a responsibility to keep children safe and protect them from harm. Simply put, safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility. Children should be protected from maltreatment and any impairment that may affect their health and development.

Management of common behaviour and mental health problems.

Behavioural problems are usually influenced by both biological and environmental factors. Disruptive behavioural problems such temper tantrums or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are displayed during the first years of childhood. Breath-holding attacks are relatively common and are an important problem.

Appropriate care for children with eating disorders and obesity.

Eating disorders are essentially psychological diseases that are characterised by abnormal eating habits. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are the most common forms of eating disorders. There is an increased recognition of eating disorders among both men and women, and growing numbers of children and teenagers seeking help for eating disorders.

Management of common neonatal problems.

The important causes of neonatal mortality are congenital malformations, birth trauma, neonatal infections, and respiratory, metabolic and heart diseases. Although many of the neonatal problems are benign, self-limited and treatable, some are life-threatening and a direct cause of disability and death. Professionals who provide care for children must be aware of these problems, their natural history, their impact on children's heath and their treatment.

Management of seizures in children.

Seizures are common events in children and up to 10% of all children experience at least one seizure during their childhood. They can be triggered by many conditions such as fever, medications or injury. Febrile seizures are the most common types of seizures, affecting 3-4% of children.