The 2-week paediatric residence finishes today. My impression is that paediatrics is a very meaningful specialty with a bit of happiness and sadness. Nothing do I have to elaborate on the happiness part. Infant and young kids are cute of course. Most of them are admitted to hospital because they have upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia sometimes. The main point is that most can be cured, except some suffering severe pneumonia requiring intensive care. Since the prognosis is so good, one can achieve a sense of success through managing these patients. However, the sad side of the story is very discouraging. Syndromal disorders cannot be cured with great impact on the quality of life on the patients and their parents. Even through there is treatment, like leukaemia, the kids still suffer from the side effects of treatment, e.g. central obesity due to chronic steroid use causing low self-esteem. For those with rheumatological problems, like systemic sclerosis, the quality of life is greatly impaired. They may not be able to walk, to eat, to write, to poo...... On the other hand, some adolescents can have schizophrenia going to suicide. Sometimes, I think what is the meaning of life to these kids. Kids should grow up, shouldn't they? Is it just an instinct to survive? Is it just a way to entertain their parents' wishes? Have they ever wanted to give it up? Life does not belong to oneself. A good paediatrician should help these kids finding out their direction of life. | 
