Community Pediatrics Flashcards
Why is vision screening important?
Amblyopia affects up to 5% of the population (>10 million Americans). In the first 4 decades of life amblyopia causes more vision loss than all other ocular diseases combined.
Amblyopia has a “window period” for treatment in early childhood. Screening can prevent otherwise fatal disorders such as retinoblastoma.
Refractive Errors
- Nearsighted
- Farsighted
- Astigmatism
- Anisometropia
Amblyopia
Unilateral or bilateral decrease of visual acuity caused by vision deprivation AND/OR Abnormal binocular interaction for which no organic cause can be detected. The Physician sees nothing and the Patient very little.
The eye is capable of taking the picture but the brain doesn’t recognize that there is an image.
Screen for causes of amblyopia
- Refractive errors
- Obstruction of optical pathway (e.g. cataract or corneal scar)
- Strabismus
- Other: anything that blocks input of visual information to the brain
Strabismus
Ocular misalignment
Esotropia
Eyes turn in
Exotropia
Eyes turn out
Hypertropia
One eye higher than the other
AAP standards for visual acuity
- 20/40 for children 3-5 years old
- 20/30 for 6 year old
- 20/20 for > 8 year old
Hearing Screening
Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) programs (false + rates: range between 2.5% and 8%). Start hearing screening at 3 years or older!
Dental referral
- Incisors erupt at approximately 6 months
- Recommend routine cleaning with soft cloth or brush with child safe toothpaste
- Fluoride varnish (1- age 6)
- Caries warrant dental referral
- Neonatal teeth
- ADA at age 1
Laboratory Screening
Most screenings are now risk based (AAP periodicity schedule)
When do we do Hemoglobin Screening?
- At 1 year (Iron deficiency anemia is more common in breastfed infants).
- If excessive milk ingestion, iron poor diet.
- Hemoglobin screening with menses
When do we do Lead Screening?
Age 1, 2 (3-6 if not previously screened, hi risk zip codes, immigrants)
What is the most common nutritional deficiency?
Iron Deficiency –Adversely affects motor & cognitive development
Iron Deficiency Anemia is most common in _______.
toddlers
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Abnormal sleep cycles, anemia, behavioral problems, cognitive effects
Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Risk factors: preterm, low birth weight birth, multiple pregnancy, iron deficiency in mother, non-‐fortified formula or cow’s milk before age 12 mo, infant diet low in iron containing foods , Children with special health needs (chronic infections or restricted diets)
Prevention and Screening for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Prevent by adequate dietary means including feeding infants iron containing cereals by 6 mo., avoiding low-iron formula during infancy and limiting cows milk in 1-5 yo. Universal screening at 12 mo age by Hb/Hct and then again at 15 mo.
Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron dosing, (3-‐6 mg/kg of elemental iron)
When do we start Lead Screening?
Screen @ 1 and 2 years of age