Case 13: 6yo - Asthma Flashcards
hx for asthma for children = 4yo
- Persistent cough and wheeze (sometimes with hx of URI)
- frequent URI
- frequent coughs at night (even when not ill)
- tires / coughs with exercise more than others
sxs of asthma
wheezing, coughing, dyspnea
- day-to-day
- exacerbations
what do the day-to-day asthma sxs come from?
persistent inflammation
what do the exacerbations asthma sxs come from?
intermittent inflammation
d/t allergens or virus infections
identify:
- asthma sxs = 2d/w
- asthma sxs = 2nights/month
- >/= 80& FEV1
- <20% variability
and treatment?
mild intermittent
identify:
- asthma sxs 3-6d/w
- asthma sxs 3-4 nights/month
- >/= 80& FEV1
- 20-30% variability
mild persistent
identify:
- asthma sxs every day
- asthma sxs >5 nights/month
- 60-80% FEV1
- >30% variability
exercise limitation
moderate persistent
identify:
- asthma sxs all the time
- asthma sxs night frequently during the month
- = 60% FEV1
- >30% variability
severe persistent
Risk factors for asthma that require consideration of treatment
TREAT PTS WITH IMPAIRMENT
Children = 4yo with frequent wheezing (>/= 4x per year, lasting >1d, that affects sleep)
- sxs >2x/w
- noctural sxs >2x/month
TREAT PTS WITH RISK 1 major: -parental hx of asthma - atopic dermatitis - sensitization to aeroallergens
or 2 minor:
- sensitization of foods
- wheezing outside of colds
- peripheral blood eosinophilia (>4%)
other:
- frequent persistent sxs requiring symptomatic treatment >2d/w for >3w
- significant episodic sxs, with >1 exacerbation requiring systemic steroids within 6mo
- during seasons of viral URI infections
epidemiology - how many kids develop sxs of asthma before 5yo?
50-80%
hx for asthma for children >/= 4yo
- seasonal rhinitis sxs
- wheezes during colds
- coughing seasonally (winter / spring) and at night
- physical exam: dark circles under eyes, prolonged expiration on chest exam, with suggestion of wheeze on forced expiration
- FEV1 = 70%
- FEV1/FVC = 75%
showing obstructive pattern
what is the cornerstone of asthma therapy? why?
inhaled corticosteroids
- improved lung fx (FEV1)
- decreased impairment (better exercise tolerance, decreased “rescue” med use and day/nighttime sxs
- decreased risk and hospitalizations
- decreased inflammation - with epithelial and mucosal mast cell, eosinophil, and submucosal T lymphocytes
what are the 2 mechanisms by which asthma causes wheezing?
1) constriction of bronchial airways
2) mucus secretion
==> if alveoli have decreased ventilation –> pulmonary arterioles will vasoconstrict & shunt blood ==> V/Q mismatch
Does 100% O2 work for shunts (e.g. that you find in asthma)?
NO
what are the goals of asthma control
- minimal / no chronic sxs day / night
- minimal / no exacerbations
- no limitations on activities / missed work or school
- maintain (near) normal pulmonary fx
- minimal use of short-acting inhaled beta2 agonist (<1x/d, <1 canister/month)
- minimal / no adverse effects from medicines
at what point would you consider stepping down in asthma management
review tx q1-6mo, reassess for stage of asthma
at what point would you consider stepping up in asthma management
1) review pt med technique, adherence, and environmental control
2) if continue to have sxs that fall within criteria (even on therapy)
management of a pt with asthma
1) investigate allergies; discuss tobacco exposures (perennial / seasonal)
2) proper use of peak flow meter (effort-dependent) == L/s at which air can be forced out of large airways ==> record peak flow (peak expiratory flow - PEF) + sxs at time of measurement of peak flow
3) daily asthma diary to record sxs and peak flow values
4) Rescue (Albuterol) PRN + control bronchodilators
5) f/up == q2-6w until asthma stabilized, then q1-6mo + for acute visits / worsened asthma sxs ==
7) plan for avoiding triggers; managing flare
8) asthma action plan == (1) daily sxs; (2) peak flow readings @ home and school
9) PREVENTION = seasonal flu vaccine; PCV vaccine; varicella vaccine (d/t increased risk of severe primary varicella infection if on inhaled / systemic corticosteroids)
8yo
Seasonal rhinitis symptoms
Wheezes when he gets colds
Coughs throughout winter and spring; nightly cough and wakening
Exam notable for dark circles under eyes and prolonged expiration on chest exam with suggestion of wheeze on forced expiration
FEV 1=70% predicted; FEV 1/FVC=0.75
management?
Nightly symptoms
FEV1 < 80%
==> likely moderate persistent
moderate dose of daily inhaled corticosteroids
15yo girl
Competitive soccer player
Notes that she gets tight in the chest after running for about 5 minutes and has to stop and rest; some cough and occasional wheeze
No prolonged cough with URI; no history of bronchitis or pneumonia
No chronic night cough
Exam normal
Pulmonary Function Test normal; FEV 1/FVC=0.9
no family history of asthma
nonsmoker
Christopher’s syndrome / vocal cord spasm ==> extrathoracic pulmonary obstruction = normal FEV1
Trigger: anxiety, increased competition worsens this
V. exercise and cold induced asthma
==> PRN inhaler
typical exercise-induced asthma would have a drop in the FEV1 at the end of exercise
Persistent cough and some wheeze for 2 weeks after URI
In daycare; gets URI at least monthly
Coughs nightly when ill; 1-2 times weekly even if not ill
Seems to tire with exercise more than peers and has cough with exercise even when not ill
management?
mild intermittent
rescue albuterol inhaler (SABA)
what extra vaccines do kids with asthma need to get?
pneumococcal 13
influenza
what happens if you put kids <8yo on long-term steroids
impaired bone growth
side effects of leukotriene modifiers on children
poor behavior (mood swings)
diffdx for chronic cough in a school aged child
infection
- SINUSITIS = triggered by URI; nasal congestion, PND –> noctural cough; +/- HA, frequent nasal discharge
- BRONCHITIS = prolonged congested cough + URI –> extension of viral inflammation into lower respiratory tree; cough in AM and PM (no aggravating/alleviating), +/- fever, significant sputum production
- ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA (influenza, adenovirus, mycoplasma, pertussis, HIV, fungal)= similar to URI sxs; cough in AM and PM (worsened with exercise, cold air); post-resolution cough can persist 8-12w.
inflammation
- ASTHMA = triggered by URI; cough worse at night, w/ exercise, cold air
- ALLERGIES = nasal congestion, PND –> noctural cough (+/- personal / Fhx atopic diathesis)
irritation - d/t to household smoke, woodstove, pets.
anatomic
psychogenic
cardiac/GI condition
- GERD = infants; older children with neurologic impairments; worse cough at high; +/- nasal reflux –> congestion
why is a chronic cough better than an acute cough
acute cough = <4w ==> INFECTIOUS: URI, pneumonia
chronic cough = >4w ==> URI –> leading to airway reactivity for weeks; cough can persist past other sxs
a subacute / chronic cough means the sxs have been tolerated for longer & likely not immediately life-threatening
atopic diathesis, relationship to allergies and asthma
Atopy = predisposition to develop IgE-mediated response to common aeroallergens
1) allergic rhinitis
2) asthma
3) atopic dermatitis (eczema)
characterization of mucus in a younger child (how is this different v. older / adult)
Small children
1) swallow their mucus rather than spitting it out
2) will usually have “post-tussive emesis” == vomit d/t coughing spell
relevant work-up for a patient suspected of having asthma
A. Hx of asthmatic sxs
1) episodic nature of sxs
2) precipitating factors
3) Fhx (+/- atopic diathesis)
B. (PFTs) Spirometry = measure of active lung volume (via rate of flow) –> tidal volume, forced vital capacity, total lung capacity (max inspired), rate of air flow during exhalation, FEV1
C. bronchoprovocation (methacholine/histamine/exercise challenge) ==> where asthma is suspected and spirometry is ~ normal.
D. CXR - to rule out other dangerous conditions
NIH/NAEPP asthma severity criteria & stepwise management, and apply them to a pt newly diagnosed with asthma
Mild intermittent
Mild persistent
Moderate persistent
Severe persistent
diffdx SOB in children
1) asthma
2) CHF / cardiomyopathy
signs and sxs of TB in children
usually minimal systemic sxs of night sweats and weight loss, compared to their alarming CXR findings (50% incidentally found on CXR) ==> hilar adenopathy
INFANTS, TODDLERS
- nonproductive cough, mild dyspnea, wheezes (d/t bronchial compression by enlarged regional LN)
- failure to thrive
- severe cough, sputum production + systemic sxs (fever, night sweats, anorexia) ==> INTRAPULMONARY DISSEMINATION
CXR findings on TB
- all lobar segments of lung are at risk
- 25% of time –> 2+ primary foci
- primary complex
what is the hallmark of TB of the lung found on CXR?
primary complex = relatively large size of hilar lymphadenopathy v. relatively small size of initial lung focus
what is the common sequence of TB in CXR findings
1) hilar adenopathy
2) focal hyperinflation
3) atelectasis
(with minimal evidence of primary lung focus itself)
CXR findings on TB
- all lobar segments of lung are at risk
- 25% of time –> 2+ primary foci
- primary complex + hilar lymphadenopathy
- small local pleural effusions (LARGE rarely seen in <6yo).
what is the hallmark of TB of the lung found on CXR?
primary complex = relatively large size of hilar lymphadenopathy v. relatively small size of initial lung focus
what is the common sequence of TB in CXR findings
1) hilar adenopathy
2) focal hyperinflation
3) atelectasis
(with minimal evidence of primary lung focus itself)
what is the only practical tool for TB infections in asymptomatic children
PPD
> 5mm in high risk
10mm in moderate risk
15mm in low risk
what is the test of choice for TB infections in asymptomatic children
TB culture from sputum sample or first mornign gastric aspirate
Define: allergic shiners
lower eyelids appear darkened due to venous stasis