CHANGES IN THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION
IN ORDER to provide candidates with a knowledge of specific areas of strength or weakness in their training, the American Board of Pediatrics will make the following changes in the written examination to be offered in January 1968 and subsequent years:
The length of the examination will be increased from 3 hours to 6 hours, i.e., two 3-hour sessions with a luncheon break between. Questions of the morning session must be completed and turned in before the luncheon break; a second set of questions will be issued for the afternoon portion of the examination.
Candidates' examinations will be graded on the full performance, but will also be scored in the following subdivisions of pediatric knowledge, including diagnosis and treatment:
I. The Newborn
To include prenatal care and obstetric practices as they relate to the offspring; embryology, physiology, and pathology of the fetus and newborn; infant feeding; vitamin requirements and deficiencies; infections and metabolic disorders peculiar to the newborn; anomalies and other disorders which require attention in early life.
II. Metabolic Disorders
Principles of fluid and electrolyte balance and management; inborn and acquired errors of metabolism; molecular and chemical disorders; endocrinology; renal and genitourinary disease; malabsorption syndromes.
III. Growth and Development
General genetic theory; physical, mental, and behavioral development; neurology, psychology and psychiatry; school problems; adolescence; family medicine; mental retardation, perceptual handicaps.
IV. Infectious Disease, Immunology, and Allergy
Bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal disease; infectious and inflammatory disease of uncertain origin; "autoimmune" diseases; principles of immunity; immunization; public health measures; allergy; mechanical respiratory problems; dermatology.
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