28 Acute paediatric care

Question 1

What is different about a child’s airway

Answer 1

Don’t really have necks
Have small airways
Larynx is anterior

Question 2

What is different about a child’s breathing

Answer 2

Tire easily
Soft bones, chests can recess
Diaphragmatic breathing
Lower airways are small and easily obstructed 
Horizontal ribs- less expansion

Question 3

What are different about a child’s respiratory system

Answer 3

Heightened metabolic rate, more exogenous consumption
Resp rate high and gradually falls
Oxygen dissociation curve shifted to the left
Lung vulnerabile to insult
Apnoea May occur in babies

Question 4

What are different about a child’s circulatory system

Answer 4

Circulating blood volume lower

Circulation changes from in utero to ex uterus
(PDA’s and foramen ovale)
Systemic circulation pressure low rising
Pulmonary pressures high and then fall)
Bradycardia (<60) indicates life threatening pathology

Question 5

What is a usual exam question?

Answer 5

Describe the difference between circulation in utereo and in life

Question 6

What is a mottled baby?

Answer 6

Patchy skin rash, google it if unsure