Taking a Pediatric History

Pediatric patients are not small adults. Their unique anatomy, development, and physiology must be considered when obtaining the history. Nuances that must be acknowledged include who is the most appropriate historian, pediatric-specific review of systems, and special contexts for the more autonomous adolescent. As is the case with adult patients, a strong history will lead you to the correct diagnosis most of the time. This chapter will review key aspects of pediatric history taking.