[Our responsibility to children].

Abstract

The significant advances in medicine during this century have led to a shift in emphasis in paediatrics: whilst two thirds of all infant deaths still result from complications during the neonatal period, the sudden infant death syndrome has come to the fore, and in older children accidents and malignant disease account for most deaths. Chronic illness, physical disabilities and psychological disturbance are constantly gaining increased importance. I suggest four principal answers to the problems concerning children today: Scientific research taking into account the child's personality as a basis of real progress: Accentuation of health education in paediatrics; Training of cybernetic thinking--with respect to the child as a psychosomatic unity, the multifactorial pathogenesis of several diseases, and interdisciplinary teamwork between doctors and scientists. Empathetic attitude to the child as a special entity and wholly valid human being, with specific needs at each stage of development.