L2.8: Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI)

• Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses

  ● An initiative under UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)

  ○ Caters to the rights of children to health, and a better way of life.

  ○ IMCI is adapted from the World Wide Perspective, tailor fitted to the Philippines

  ● A strategy for reducing mortality and morbidity associated with major causes of childhood illnesses

  ○ Example: Pneumonia

  ● A package of preventive, promotive, and curative services rendered by the DOH for children under 5 years old
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses

  ● IMCI guidelines rely on cases based on simple clinical signs without laboratory tests, and offer empirical treatment

  ○ Symptoms - Verbalized by the patient or client

  ○ Signs - Verification of the healthcare provider through the use of tools and instruments

  ● Requires action oriented classifications rather than exact diagnosis
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses

  Objectives

  1. Reduce death, frequency and severity of illness and disability

  2. Contribute to improved growth and development
• Diseases Covered in IMCI

  ● Diarrhea

  ● Pneumonia

  ● Malnutrition

  ● Malaria

  ● Measles

  ● Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

  ○ Most recently added for the Philippines since it is not that applicable globally for all countries.
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses

  Target Ages

  ● Divided into 2 Groups

  1. Aged up to 2 Months

  2. 2 Months and 5 Years Old
• Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses

  The Step-By-Step Case Management Process

  1. Assess the Sick Child or Young Infant

  2. Classify the Illness

  3. Identifying Treatment

  4. Treat the Child

  5. Counsel Mother/Caretaker

  6. Give Follow-Up Care
• ASSESS

  Follow (I.A.R.)

  A. Identify and danger signs present

  B. Ask about the 4 main symptoms

  C. Review Nutrition, Vitamin A, and Immunization
• ASSESS

  Symptoms Such as:

  ● Fever

  ● Cough

  ● Colds

  ● Etc.

  General Symptoms Include:

  ● Drinking/Breastfeeding

  ● Vomiting

  ● Convulsions

  ● Lethargic/Sleepy/Unconscious
• CLASSIFY

  Each action is classified using either PINK, GREEN, or YELLOW:

  PINK = Urgent Referral

  YELLOW = Specific Medical Tx and Advice

  GREEN= Simple advice at home care
• IDENTIFY

  Each classification requires a distinct treatment
• TREAT

  Treat using the identified and appropriate treatment
• COUNSEL

  Give advice: Ex: For breastfeeding
• FOLLOW - UP

  When a child is brought back to the clinic, provide follow-up care to evaluate their condition, and re-assess the child for any possible problems.