Children are not just small adults Flashcards
How does the UN define children
<18
How do we define children locally?
<16
May be some adults in RACH, e.g. short stature req. child endoscope
What are the 4Ps that differentiate children from adults?
Physical - disproportionate and smaller
Physiological - greater SA:vol ratio, %water, reduced metabolic resolve so more likely to become dehydrated, hypoglycaemia & hypothermic, also RP, HR higher and BP lower
Psychological - terrible 2s, latent phase, adolescence
Pathologies - may differ
What is ketotic hypoglycaemia?
Skinny child around 7-8am becomes hypoglycaemic
Tends to be 1-2yo
Mx with sugar drink before bed
Why is HR and BP not good indicators of shock in children?
Can maintain BP quite well whilst in shock until certain point
HR increases but plateaus so not good indicator of worsening condition
What is the ultimate test of a child immune system?
Surviving chickenpox
How does a child’s immune system develop?
Mother gives Ig, these die
Over 4m-5y picks up lots of colds etc and builds up immunity
What are some conditions that are only seen in kids?
Abdominal migraine, bronchiolitis, croup, enuresis, febrile convulsion, glue ear, intraventricular haemorrhage, cot death, VUR, VIW
What are some chronic conditions that have a childhood onset?
Asthma (COPD) Autism Cerebral palsy CF Gastroschisis Hirschprungs disease Spina bifida
What age are more than half of acute admissions?
<2
What are the general trends in paediatric emergencies?
Increased admissions, shorter length of stay, often do nothing for the kid
What conditions correlate with childhood fitness?
Child BMI and coronary artery disease
Lower birth weight and impaired glucose tolerance
Educational attainment and dementia
Asthma and COPD
