Common Childhood Problems Flashcards
Risk factor of hyperbilirubinemia
- Gestational diabetes
- ABO blood
- RH incompatibility
- Preterm births <37 weeks
- Birth weight <1.5kg
- East Asian
- Genetic disorders (ie. G6PD)
- Birth injuries
Kernicterus & signs/symptoms
Develop cerebral palsy due to damage to basal ganglia
- Lethargic
- Poor feeding
- Abnormal tone & posturing
- High pitch cry
- Irritability
Temperature routes & fever levels
- Oral 37.8
- Tympanic 38
- Axillary 37.2
- Rectal 38
- Temporal 38
Tools for diagnosis of fever
- CBC (leukocytosis)
- Urinalysis (pyuria- WBCs in urine)
- Specific antibody tests (autoimmune suspected - antinuclear antibodies for lupus)
- Imaging (depending on underlying cause suspected)
- chest x ray
- abdominal ultrasound
- echocardiogram
Treatment for fever
Depends on underlying cause
1. antibiotics to treat bacterial infections along with extra fluids and rest
2. Antipyretics (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to decrease body temperature, restore thermoregulatory set point and decrease symptoms
DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN (unless they have Kawasaki disease) as it leads to risk of reye syndrome which is rare but fatal and can cause liver and brain damage.
Physiology of thermoregulation (heat dissipation)
- vasodilation of blood vessels near the skin
- increase sweat production by sweat glands
Physiology of thermoregulation (heat production)
- metabolic processes that generate heat as a byproduct
- hypothalamus initiate cold stress response by shivering
- increase release of thyroid hormone thyroxine
- neonates rely on nonshivering thermogenesis -> brown adipose tissue which disappears after infancy
Order of fever pathophysiology
- Exogenous pyrogens are released into the bloodstream
- Pro inflammatory molecules reach the hypothalamus
- Body temperature rises
- Neutrophil & T cell counts increases
Sympathetic stimulation that helps avoid heat dissipation
- vasoconstriction of blood vessels on skin
- piloerection (erection of hairs due to contraction of affect or pili muscles)
Failure to thrive
Inadequate growth (typically in infancy & childhood)
Causes of FTT
Organic
- underlying disorder interfering with bodily functions necessary for growth and development (nutrient intake, absorption and metabolism)
- e.g. gastroesophageal reflux, celiac disease, nephrotic syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome or congenital malformation (hypertrophic pyloric stenosis/cleft lip/palate
Non-organic
- inappropriate feeding methods
- low socio economic status or parental education level
- structural racism & practices
- domestic abuse & violence
- substance use disorder
- family stress
Pathology of FTT
- Not eating enough (under nutrition)
- Body unable to use those nutrients due to celiac disease or nephrotic syndrome
- Increase caloric demand that is not met e.g. heart failure
- Metabolic disease e.g. DM interfere with body’s ability to utilise the nutrients and calories from food eaten
Clinical manifestations of FTT
- Most fail to gain weight & height
- Delays in developmental milestones or loss acquired milestones
- Poor muscle tone
- Decrease activity
- Easily irritable
- Refuse food & uninterested in feeding
- Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis - postprandial vomiting
- Diabetes mellitus - polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria & weight loss
Causes & risk factors for fever (inflammation in absence of infection)
- Hypersensitivity reactions in response to medications like penicillin
- Malignant conditions like lymphoma
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease & Kawasaki disease
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus
Clinical manifestations for fever
- Lethargy or malaise
- Dehydration
- Increase temperature
- Tachycardia
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Decreased appetite