OVERVIEW

The Course of Pediatrics provides knowledge of health-related problems and diseases from the neonatal period to adolescence. Students will acquire the crucial elements that will help to collect the medical history, to perform medical examination and interpret laboratory tests and / or instrumental data in many conditions affecting the newborn, the child and the adolescent

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Teaching aims to provide students with the conceptual and methodological notions that are constitutive in general paediatrics. The training course will allow students to develop skills for the classification of the main pathologies of paediatric age (Term and pre-term neonate pathologies, infectious, endocrinological, respiratory, gastroenterological, rheumatological, nephrologic and cardiological pathologies). The integrated course also includes lessons in paediatric neuropsychiatry, paediatric surgery and genetics aimed at providing students with the basic knowledge to understand the main stages of motor neuropsy development, the main neuropsychiatric pathologies of the evolutionary age, the main surgical problems of pediatric age and notions for a correct interpretation of genetic tests 

 Finally, the course aims to enable students to develop a logical path from anamnesis, assessment of clinical pictures and interpretation of laboratory and instrumental tests, Ability to perform differential diagnostic processes, and the ability to use a scientific and terminologically correct language.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures in the morning for a total of 64 hours and afternoon sessions which include professionalizing activities for a total of 32 hours. The afternoon sessions will focus on activities that actively involve students, such as problem solving, cooperative learning and debate. Activities are also planned at the Simulation and Advanced Training Centre.

Students with valid certificates for Specific Learning Disorders (SDA), disability or other educational needs, are invited to contact the teacher and the School/Department’s disability point of reference at the beginning of the course in order to agree on possible teaching methods that, while respecting the objectives of the teaching, take into account individual learning methods.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

-Congenital heart disease and pediatric emergencies
-Discussion of the main types of screening in newborn and children.
- Newborn problems: Physical examination of the newborn, development of the fetus, full-term, preterm and small for gestational age,
with all the neonatal problems.
- Growth and development: Recognize growth impairment: statural, proportionate and disproportionate, hypothalamic-pituitary diseases affecting growth, puberty, obesity, thyroid and other functions
- Pediatric diseases: respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and infectious diseases including vaccinations)
-Immunodeficiencies in childhood. Autoinflammatory disease (periodic fevers and fevers of unknown origin)

- Childhood neuropsychiatric disorders
- paediatric surgery

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

2nd semester 2026 (April - June 2026)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The Pediatrics exam consists of an oral test. Students who have attended at least 70% of the lessons and practice will be admitted.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral examination will aim to verify the  proper knowledge based on the acquisition during the entire pediatric ocurse.

The student must obtain a minimal score of at 18/30 up to 30/30 cum laude and after demonstrating:

-Knowledge of understanding of the different areas of pediatrics covered during the course;

- adequate level of awareness of the subjects covered during the course.

- Ability to analyze pediatric cases based on the signs and symptoms.

 The final judgment will be based on:

- Ability to discuss the topics in a critical manner;

- Accuracy, simplicity, synthesis and correctness;

- Wide knowledge;

-Adoption of suitable medical terms.

A cum laude (with praise) will be will be granted based on excellent skills.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Aulaweb: Integrated Course of Pediatrics

Course coordinator: Prof. Clara Malattia

claramalattia@unige.it

claramalattia@gaslini.org

The Coordinator, the Tutors, the lecturers  and the Tutors of the Integrated Course of Pediatrics are available and can be contacted at their e-mail addresses  published on the University of Genova (UNIGE) website.