What PLAB 2 paediatrics stations cover

Paediatric PLAB 2 stations are usually a consultation with a parent rather than the child. They test a focused paediatric history, screening for serious illness and safeguarding concerns, and clear communication with an anxious parent.

Topics you can practise in these stations include:

  • Childhood epilepsy counselling
  • Child with a needlestick injury in the park
  • My toddler had a seizure with a fever
  • Mother requesting tonsil surgery for recurrent sore throats
  • Abdominal pain in a toddler
  • Vomiting in a 6-week-old baby
  • Yellow newborn
  • Child with constipation
  • Child waking screaming at night
  • Child not socialising
  • Bedwetting in a 4-year-old
  • Baby with a head injury after a fall
  • MMR vaccine concerns
  • Concerns about the children's flu vaccine

How to approach a paediatrics station

You are usually speaking to a parent. Take a focused paediatric history including birth, feeding, development and immunisations, build a clear picture of how unwell the child is, and always weigh safeguarding. Reassure without dismissing a worried parent.

The underlying structure is the same as any PLAB 2 station: greet and confirm identity, explore the patient's ideas, concerns and expectations early, take a focused history, screen for the red flags below, explain your thinking in plain English, and agree a shared plan with clear safety-netting. See the free PLAB 2 preparation guide for the full study plan.

Red flags to screen for in paediatrics stations

Examiners reward candidates who actively screen for what must not be missed. In paediatrics stations, the key red flags include:

  • Signs of sepsis or a non-blanching rash
  • Poor feeding, lethargy or reduced wet nappies in an infant
  • Safeguarding concerns or a history that does not fit
  • Breathing difficulty, grunting or stridor
  • Failure to thrive or developmental regression

Skills these stations test

The 42 paediatrics stations break down by skill type as:

  • History and management 20
  • Counselling 14
  • History red flags 7
  • Ethical communication 1

All 42 free paediatrics stations

Every station below is free. Click one to sit it as an eight-minute spoken consultation, then get your mark-scheme breakdown.

History and management 20

Counselling 14

History red flags 7

Ethical communication 1

Practise other PLAB 2 specialties

Frequently asked questions

What PLAB 2 paediatrics stations come up?

Plabity's 42 free PLAB 2 paediatrics stations include presentations such as childhood epilepsy counselling, child with a needlestick injury in the park, my toddler had a seizure with a fever, mother requesting tonsil surgery for recurrent sore throats, abdominal pain in a toddler, vomiting in a 6-week-old baby, yellow newborn, child with constipation, child waking screaming at night, child not socialising, bedwetting in a 4-year-old, baby with a head injury after a fall, mmr vaccine concerns, concerns about the children's flu vaccine. Each runs as an eight-minute spoken consultation marked to the PLAB rubric.

Are these PLAB 2 paediatrics stations free?

Yes. All 42 are free to practise. You sign up with an email address, with no card required.

How are the stations marked?

Each station is marked across the three PLAB domains: data gathering, clinical management and interpersonal skills. You get a breakdown of every criterion with quoted evidence from your own consultation, in seconds.

See also: free PLAB 2 preparation · the complete PLAB 2 guide · all free stations

Practise paediatrics stations free.

42 spoken paediatrics cubicles, marked to the PLAB rubric. No card, no plan.

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