Diarrhoea Flashcards
Cause of bile stained vomit
Intestinal obstruction until excluded by a barium swallow and follow through.
Cause of intermittent vomiting immediately after feeds in n infant who is growing well
Likely due to uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Resolves spontaneously by about 6m old.
Response poorly to medication
Mx with simple measures
Common causes of dehydration in children
Gastroenteritis
Poor oral intake
Polyuria - DM
Fluid loss due to burns.
Common causes of bloody diarrhoea
Salmonella
Shigella
Campylobacter
Serious causes of dehydration
Intussusception
Hypernatraemia dehydration
Pyloric stenosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Symptoms and signs of mild dehydration
Symptoms - thirsty, restless
Signs - None or slightly dry buccal mucosa
5% - 50ml/kg deficit
Symptoms and signs of moderate dehydration
Symptoms - lethargic, irritable
Signs - Dry buccal mucosa, absent tears, Sunken eyes and fontanelle, decreased urine output, altered skin elasticity, signs kerosis (rapid shallow breathing, smell of ketones)
Symptoms and signs of severe dehydration
Symptoms - limp, drowsy
Signs - Drowsiness, shock (tachycardia,poor volume peripheral pulses, cool peripheries), Hypotension is late/ominous signs, Skin retraction time greater then 2 sec, capillary refill time greater then 3 secs.
10-15% deficit - 100ml/kg
Rule of 3s of survival
3 mins of breathing
30s no cardiac output
3 days no water
3 weeks no food
Causes of acute diarrhoea and dehydration
Excessive fluid loss
- excessive sweating - High fever, hot climate, CF
- Vomiting - Pyloric stenosis, viral infections, gastroenteritis
- Acute diarrhoea - viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroentroenteritis (Shigella, E.coli, Salmonella, campylobacter), antibiotic induced, food poisoning eg toxins, any acute infection.
- Fluid loss - burns, post surgery
- Polyuria - DM, especially Diabetic ketoacidosis
Inadequate intake
- Inability to drink - Herpes stomatitis, acute tonsillitis
- Inadequate access to water - red flag.
Hx Q to ask for acute diarrhoea and dehydration
Diarrhoea or vomiting? Projectile? How many loose stools Less urine then normal? How many wet nappies How often and how long is there vomiting FmHx of CF or diabetes.
Ex on a child with diarrhoea and dehydration
Weight over time
Pyloric mass during test feed.
Assess dehydration
Ix for diarrhoea and dehydration
Only if moderate to severe diarrhoea or very ill child
U and E - electrolyte imbalance and renal function
Blood gases - metabolic acidosis or alkalosis
Urinalysis - for osmolatity or specific gravity
Blood sugar - to exclude DKA
Stool culture - if gastroenteritis, and food poisoning.
Tx for acute diarrhoea and dehydration
Use oral rehydration
Tx shock with blouses of IV fluids
Rehydrate slowly to replace fluid loss over at least 24hr
Correct any electrolyte imbalance.
What is the commonest cause of dehydration
Vomiting and diarrhoea due to gastroenteritis