Child Health/ Paeds/ Allergy Flashcards
What is NICE guideance RE using paracetamol and ibuprofen together in children?
Paracetamol and ibuprofen should not be used simultaneously and only to consider alternating these agents if the distress persists or recurs before the next dose is due
Name 5 reasons which would indicate emergency admission for a patient with anorexia
BMI is under 15 (or rapid weight loss)
Hypothermia (under 35.5°C)
Suicidal ideation or severe self-harm
Severe electrolyte disturbance (potassium <3mmol)
Cardiac arrhythmia
Significant oedema
Orthostatic hypotension (more than 10mmHg systolic)
Bradycardia (<50 beats/min)
Severe intercurrent infection
What are the clinical features of Positional plagiocephaly?
Flattening of back/ side of head, normal head shape at birth and flattening first noticed around 2-3 months.
“Parallelogram shaped head”
Usually self corrects by age 3-5
At what age do each of the fontanelles close?
Anterior - 18-24 months (abnormal if happens before 12 months)
Posterior - Around 2-3 months
How should positional plagiocephaly be managed?
Self resolves age 3-5yrs
Encourage periods of supervised tummy time and supported sitting, and vary head position when sleeping and in cot using toys, moving the cot
(Still sleep on back to reduce SIDS risk)
No evidence for helmets and may be harmful
When should a child with a mishaped head be referred (consider craniosynostosis instead of positional plagiocephaly)
Refer babies with micro- or macrocephaly, signs of raised intracranial pressure or premature fusion of the fontanelles or sutures (felt as ridges), or if there are associated development concerns, etc.
How should temprature be measuered in < 4 weeks? What shouldn’t be used <5yrs?
Axillary probe only
Shouldn’t use forehead thermometer (not accurate)
You are doing a telephone consultation with a 4 year old with red flag nice traffic light features - what does the NICE guidance say should happen?
Need to be seen F2F within 2 hours
But if very unwell may need to advise admission
What are the 5 pieces of NICE safetynetting advice for febrile children?
Seek help if:
- Seizure
- Non blanching rash
- Child gets worse not better
- Has fevers longer than 5 days
- You don’t feel able to care for them at home
Who should NICE fever traffic guidance not be used for?
Don’t use if high risk (CF, immunosuppresed, sickle cell etc)
If learning disability etc traffic light is less accurate
You see a child with bronchiolitis - what are the indications for immediate 999 ambulance?
Apnea within this illness
Signs severe resp distress (grunting, severe recessions)
Signs exhaution
Central cyanosis
RR > 70
What are the indications for immediate same day referral in bronchiolotis (but not 999 ambulance)
RR > 60 (if >70 ambulancce)
Feeding difficulty (<75% normal)
Clinical dehydration
Sats <92%
Lower threshold for those with RF’s (prematurity, < 3months, other diseases, concern about parents etc)
When do you give oxygen in primary care for bronchiolitis?
Sats < 90% if > 6 weeks
Sats < 92% if under 6 weeks
You can’t get hold of dexamethasone for croup - what alternative steroid could you use?
Prednisolone 1mg/ kg is non-inferior to dex for croup
According to GINA 2022 guidance what 4 factors can help you distinguish between recurrent viral wheeze and asthma?
Duration of symptoms (longer - asthma)
Frequency of episodes (more - asthma)
Symptoms between episodes
Hx of atopy
You suspect asthma is likely in a pre-school child - what is the most appropriate first step?
3 month trial SABA and ICS
- Then monitor
What is the indication to give ICS when managing recurrent wheeze in pre-school children?
All get SABA every 4-6 hours until symptoms resolve (1-7 days)
If you think asthma likely - add ICS AND >3 episodes in a season > start ICS and review
If uncertain asthm and repeated episodes - consider 3 month trial ICS but also refer
In pre-school children being managed for viral wheeze in primary care - what is the role of oral steroids?
Do not use in pre-school children with ViW that doesn’t need admission - do not give oral steroid
How should parovirus B19 (slapped cheek) exposure be managed in pregnancy?
Urgent blood tests to check if mother has immunity
- May be offered blood transfusions to reduce risk hydrops fetalis
How may measles present?
3C’s (Cough, coryza, conjunctivitis)
- Rash > starts face, spreads across body, confluent rash - spares hands and legs
Koplik spots in mouth
How should measules be managed?
Test for IgM (notifiable disease)
Isolate for 4 days after rash appears
How might scarlet fever present? Name 3 symptoms and 3 signs?
Syx: Sore throat, fever, headache and then followed with rash
Signs: Sandpaper rash, straweberry tongue, cervical lympadenopathy, malar flush
How is scarlet fever managed in usual and pen allergic patients ? (3 aspects)
Pen V QDS for 10 days
If pen allergic azithromycin OD for 5 days
Remember scarlet fever is a notifiable disease (notify within 3 days)
Can go back to school 24 hours after starting ABx
What are the two types of impertigo?
Bullous (>1cm larger bullae)
Non bullous (most common)
How should uncomplicated impetigo be managed?
Hydrogen peroxide 1% BD for 5-7 days
Fucidic acid 2% 5-7 days
(Topical in uncomplicated)
How should widespread or bullous impetigo be managed?
Fluclox or clarithromycin for 5-7 days