Chronic paediatric conditions
Asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, ADHD, obesity, food allergy and rheumatic heart disease in children.
High-yield points
Childhood asthma: preventer when symptoms are frequent, a written asthma action plan, and a spacer with puffers (not nebulisers) for most.
Type 1 diabetes often presents with DKA; new polyuria, polydipsia or weight loss in a child needs same-day glucose testing.
Cystic fibrosis is found through newborn screening; confirm with a sweat chloride test.
ADHD: diagnosis needs symptoms in more than one setting before age 12; stimulant medicines are S8 and usually initiated by a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Food allergy: an ASCIA action plan and adrenaline autoinjector for those at risk of anaphylaxis.
Acute rheumatic fever: Jones criteria (with lower thresholds in high-risk groups); needs long-term benzathine penicillin.
Childhood obesity: family-based lifestyle change; screen for complications (sleep apnoea, fatty liver, insulin resistance).
India vs Australia
Where the answer the AMC marks correct differs from what’s usually taught in Indian MBBS.
| Aspect | India (MBBS)What you learn in MBBS | Australia (AMC)What the exam marks as correct |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD stimulants | Psychiatrist prescribed; access varies. | Regulated by each state; often specialist initiation, permit or authority needed. |
| Cystic fibrosis | Under-diagnosed. | Picked up on newborn screening; CFTR modulators are PBS-subsidised for eligible patients. |
| Haemoglobinopathies | Thalassaemia major needing chronic transfusion is common. | Uncommon; mainly in families from high-prevalence regions. Offer carrier testing in those groups. |
| Type 1 diabetes | Insulin and finger-prick testing, often limited by cost. | Subsidised CGM and pumps are common; school care plans; NDSS support. |
ADHD stimulants
India (MBBS)
Psychiatrist prescribed; access varies.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Regulated by each state; often specialist initiation, permit or authority needed.
Cystic fibrosis
India (MBBS)
Under-diagnosed.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Picked up on newborn screening; CFTR modulators are PBS-subsidised for eligible patients.
Haemoglobinopathies
India (MBBS)
Thalassaemia major needing chronic transfusion is common.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Uncommon; mainly in families from high-prevalence regions. Offer carrier testing in those groups.
Type 1 diabetes
India (MBBS)
Insulin and finger-prick testing, often limited by cost.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Subsidised CGM and pumps are common; school care plans; NDSS support.
The Australian context
Stimulant prescribing for ADHD is regulated by each state, often requiring specialist initiation or authority. CFTR modulator therapy for cystic fibrosis is PBS-subsidised for eligible patients.