6.2.4. Neonatology - Common Post-Natal Problems - Respiratory

Question 1

What is the Commonest Reason for Admission into the Neonatal Unit?

Answer 1

Respiratory Distress

Question 2

What is Evaluated for Respiratory Distress in the Neonatal Unit?

Answer 2

1. Respiratory Rate
2. Increasing Effort - Grunting / Retractions / Nasal Flaring
3. Colour
4. Oxygen Saturations

Question 3

What are the Areas to Assess for Retractions?

Answer 3

1. Substernal
2. Subcostal
3. Intercostal
4. Suprasternal

Question 4

What are the Main Symptoms of Airway Obstruction?

Answer 4

1. Stridor

2. Retraction

Question 5

Where can Airway Obstruction occur at?

Answer 5

1. Nose
2. Mouth and Jaw
3. Larynx
4. Trachea
5. Bronchi

Question 6

What are the Main Airway Causes of Obstruction?

Answer 6

1. Laryngomalacia
2. Trachiomalacia
3. Bronchomalacia

Question 7

What are the Features of Layngomalacia?

Answer 7

1. Floppy Upper Larynx
2. Stridor +/- Feeding Problems
3. Gets worse at 2-3 Months
4. Most Resolve without Treatment

Question 8

What are the Features of Trachiomalacia?

Answer 8

1. Floppy Tracheal Cartilage
2. Stridor Worse when Crying / Coughing / Feeding
3. Most commonly affected the Distal 1/3rd of the Trachea
4. Most improve by 2 years of age

Question 9

What are the Features of Bronchomalacia?

Answer 9

1. Weak Bronchial Cartilage
2. Stridor / Wheeze / Dyspnoea
3. More likely to need CPAP +/- Tracheostomy