Common Problems in Paediatric Outpatients Flashcards
What should be considered when a child is being allocated to a clinic?
Age of child (0-14), where they live, principal issues, degree of urgency, presence of red flags
What details should be included in a referral letter?
General health = growth/height/weight, all with centiles and development
Relevant social information (i.e on CP register)
Parental concern and impact on schooling
What is the role of secondary care in the management of paediatric outpatients?
Help make diagnosis/confirm GP diagnosis
Advice on ongoing management
Useful when there is concern in missing serious disease
Reassurance
What are the top ten reasons for paediatric outpatient referral?
Concerns about growth, UTI, constipation, abdominal pain, headaches, funny turns, heart murmurs, food allergy/intolerance, minor abnormalities, asthma
Why might a child display short stature?
Familial implication (i.e small parents) or constitutional delay
What should be considered in an obese child who also has short stature?
Endocrine causes
What is the most common pathogen implicated in UTIs in children?
E.coli
What determines whether a UTI should get further investigation?
The age of the child, nature of infection, family history of UTI/renal disease, other concerns about general health
Do all children with UTIs need to be seen in secondary care?
No = some can be managed at home
What are some more complicated renal problems that may present with a UTI?
Vesicouretric reflux, renal scarring, renal tract abnormalities
What are some concerning features of a child with a UTI?
Younger age, frequent infections, non-E.coli pathogens, family history of renal disease, poor growth/general health, poor urinary flow in infant, voiding problems/constipation, spinal abnormalities, raised BP, abdominal mass, renal tract abnormalities on antenatal scan
What is constipation defined as?
Pain, difficulty or delay in defaecation
What is the definition of soiling?
Escape of stool into underclothing = affects 2% of school age children
What is encopresis?
Passage of normal stool in abnormal places
How is constipation treated?
Laxatives, attention to food and drink, toileting behaviour advice
When should an underlying disease be considered in constipation?
Onset from early infancy or refractory to treatment