The particular needs of children and adolescents – not just little adults

A large proportion of the NHS workload involves dealing with children. An understanding of the special needs of this diverse group is necessary in order to manage successfully patients and their carers. This article gives a brief overview of some communication skills for use with children. It also gives a breakdown of the legal issues surrounding consent and parental responsibility and wider issues relating to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Some paediatric ethical dilemmas are also explored. This article is relevant to both prospective paediatricians and those aspiring to any speciality involving work with children.