A pediatrician is a physician who takes care of newborns, infants, toddlers, school-age children and teenagers. One who caters to the health needs and other important aspects in the development of the pediatric age group in a Filipino community is a Pinoy pediatrician. To be available on line and offer medical advice, accurate information and a friendly chat is the goal of Pinoy Pedia on Call.
ADOLESCENT
PANSININ SANA SI TEENAGER (PSST!)
November has been designated by the Philippine Pediatric Society-Southern Tagalog Chapter (PPS-STC) as the month for the adolescents. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has defined the adolescents as individuals whose age is 10-19 years old. This pediatric age group is usually the most healthy but unfortunately the most neglected, too. During the remaining weeks of November, my discussion will center on this awkward age of persons who are no longer kids but not quite adults either. As a case in point, this group of patients find themselves surrounded by infants and toddlers waiting in line to seek consult with their trusted pediatricians. Hopefully, these adolescents will be better understood and managed appropriately if the physical changes as well as the issues and concerns that they have are known and addressed.
EARLY ADOLESCENCE
Age Range: 10-13 years old.
Physical Changes: Height and weight increase
Pubic and underarm hair grows
Pimples may appear
Boys enter puberty 2 years later than girls
Girls are usually taller than boys at this period
Girls: Breasts begin to enlarge
First menstrual period occurs
Hips widen
Body fat increases
Boys: Scrotum becomes darker
Voice gets deeper
Penis grows lunger and fuller
Testicles grow larger
Issues and Concerns
Body images including weight and height
Self-consious and moody
Hang out more with peers of same sex
Increase curiosity of things around them
Explore talents, arts, hobbies and sports
Challenge authority and family
Daydreaming
Begin to develop own value system
Desire for privacy
Magnify own problems
MIDDLE ADOLESCENCE
Age Range: 14-16 years old
Physical Changes: Further increase in height and weight
Further maturation of genitals
Issues and Concerns:
Peer pressure with fad behaviors
Increase risky behaviors
Begin dating and attract partner
Independence from parents
Conflict with family predominates
Very self-absorbed
Excessive physical activity
LATE ADOLESCENCE
Age Range: 17 - 19 years old
Physical Changes: Physical maturity almost complete
Height and weight almost adult size
Issues and Concerns:
Less mood swings (more emotionally stable)
Better decision making and judgment less influenced by peers
Develop more mature and intimate relationship
Plan for future career goals
Philosophical and idealistic
Comfortable with body image
Establish ethical and moral value system
Adolescents undergo rapid physiological, psychological and social changes through the years as can be deduced from the above outline of the three subgroups of adolescents. Thus, it is not surprising that some of them go through a lot of adjustments before emerging into a responsible adult given the proper guidance and enough space to grow and explore. Hence, people who deal with them should be respectful, emphatic and non-judgmental. Strict confidentiality should be observed at all times except in circumstances that will signify a threat to harm self or others, presence of abuse whether physical or sexual and any situation that puts another person in danger.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment