2. Common Complaints Flashcards
Describe clinical features: Breath holding spells (2)
Types
- cyanotic (more common), usually associated with anger/frustration
- pallid, usually associated with pain/surprise
Describe etiology: Breath holding spells (1)
- child is provoked (usually by anger, injury, or fear) → holds breath and becomes silent→ spontaneously resolves or loses consciousness
Describe management: Breath holding spells (3)
- usually resolves spontaneously and rarely progresses to seizure
- help child control response to frustration and avoid drawing attention to spell
- may be associated with iron deficiency anemia, improves with supplemental iron
Name common etiologies: Crying/Fussing Child (4)
- functional (e.g.hungry,irritable)
- colic
- trauma
- illness
Describe history: Crying/Fussing Child (7)
- description of baseline feeding, sleeping, crying patterns
- infectious symptoms: fever, tachypnea, rhinorrhea, ill contacts
- feeding intolerance: gastroesophageal reflux with esophagitis, N/V, diarrhea, constipation
- trauma
- recent immunizations (vaccine reaction) or medications (drug reactions), including maternal drugs taken during pregnancy (neonatal withdrawal syndrome) and drugs that may be transferred via breast milk
- inconsistent history, pattern of numerous emergency department visits, high-risk social situations all raise concern of maltreatment
- consider broad array of possible underlying causes such as meningitis, sepsis, respiratory distress, constipation, etc.
Describe clinical features: Infantile Colic (2)
- unexplained paroxysms of irritability and crying for > 3h/d,
- >3d/wk for >3wk in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby (rule of 3s)
Describe epidemiology: Infantile Colic (2)
- 10% of infants;
- usual onset 10d to 3 mo of age with peak at 6-8wk
Describe etiology: Infantile Colic (2)
- unknown.
- Theories: alterations in fecal microflora, cow’s milk intolerance, GI immaturity or inflammation, poor feeding, maternal smoking
Is infantile colic a diagnosis of exclusion? (1)
diagnosis of exclusion after thorough history and physical exam to rule out identifiable causes such as otits media, cow’s milk intolerance, GI problem, fracture
Describe management: Infantile Colic (6)
- parental relief, rest, and reassurance
- hold baby, soother, car ride, music, vacuum, check diaper
- some evidence for probiotics
- maintain breastfeeding but eliminate allergens (cow’s milk protein, eggs, wheat, and nuts) from mother’s diet
- time-limited (2 wk) trial of protein hydrolysate formula (e.g. Nutramigen®)
- time – all resolve, most in the first 3-6 mo of life, no long-term adverse effects
Describe: primary dentition (4)
- (20 teeth)
- first tooth at 5-9 mo (lower incisor), then 1/mo
- 6-8 central teeth by 1 yr
- assessment by dentist 6 mo after eruption of first tooth and certainly by 1 yr of age (Grade B recommendation)
Describe: Secondary dentition (1)
- first adult tooth is 1st molar at 6 yr, then lower incisors
Describe: Early childhood caries (1)
- presence of one or more decayed, missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a preschool-aged child
Describe etiology: Caries (2)
- multifactorial with biomedical factors (e.g.diet, bacteria, host) and social determinants of health
- inappropriate feeding practices are important factors (e.g.
- frequent, prolonged bottle feeding,
- putting to bed with bottle,
- prolonged breast feeding,
- and excessive juice consumption)
Name prevention techniques: Caries (5)
- no bottle at bedtime, clean teeth after last feed
- minimize juice and sweetened pacifier
- clean teeth with soft damp cloth or toothbrush and water
- water fluoridation
- ensure every child has a dentist by 1 year of age
Define: Enuresis (1)
involuntary urinary incontinence by day and/or night in child >5yr
Describe general approach: Enuresis (5)
should be evaluated if:
- dysuria
- change in colour, odour, or stream
- secondary or diurnal
- change in gait
- or stool incontinence are present
Treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis should not be considered until when? (1)
until 7 yr of age due to high rate of spontaneous cure
Describe clinical feature: Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (2)
- involuntary loss of urine at night
- bladder control has never been attained
Describe epidemiology: Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (4)
- boys>girls
- 10% of 6yr olds
- 3% of 12 yr olds
- 1% of 18yr olds
Describe etiology: Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (1)
developmental disorder or maturational lag in bladder control while asleep
Describe management: Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (5)
- time, reassurance (~20% resolve spontaneously each yr), and avoidance of punishment or humiliation to maintain self-esteem
- behaviour modification (limiting fluids and avoid caffeine-containing food before bedtime, void prior to sleep, ensure access to toilet, take out of diapers)
- conditioning: “wet” alarm wakes child upon voiding (70% success rate)
- medications (for children >7 yr, considered second line therapy, may be used for sleepovers/camp):
- DDAVP oral tablets (similar success rate as “wet” alarm therapy but higher relapse rate), imipramine (Tofranil®) (rarely used, lethal if overdose, SE: cardiac toxicity, anticholinergic effects)
Describe clinical features: Secondary Enuresis (2)
- involuntary loss of urine at night
- develops after child has sustained period of bladder control (>6 mo)
Describe etiology: Secondary Enuresis (2)
- inorganic regression due to stress or anxiety (e.g. birth of sibling, significant loss, family discord, sexual abuse)
- secondary to organic disease (UTI, DM, DI, sleep apnea, neurogenic bladder, CP, seizures, pinworms)