Diarrhoea and Vomiting Flashcards
What are the physical features of dehydration in an infant?
- Sunken anterior fontanelle
- Dry mucous membranes
- Tachycardia
- Reduced CRT
- Reduced skin turgor
What are the 2 most common viruses causing gastroenteritis in young children?
- Rotavirus
- Adenovirus
What are the red flag features associated with vomiting in children?
- Haematemesis
- Bile in the vomit
- Projectile vomit
- Abdominal distention/tenderness
- Blood in the stool
- Bulging fontanelle
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; bile stained vomit?
Intestinal obstruction
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; haematemesis?
- Oesophagitis
- Gastric ulcer
- Oral/nasal bleeding
- Vomiting swallowed blood
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; Projectile vomiting (<2/12 old)?
- Pyloric stenosis
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; abdominal distention/tenderness?
- Intestinal obstruction
- Strangulated inguinal hernia
- Surgical abdomen
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; Blood in stool?
- Gastroenteritis (salmonella or campylobacter)
- Intussusception
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; severe dehydration and shock?
- Severe gastroenteritis
- Systemic infection e.g. UTI, meningitis, DKA
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; bulging fontanelle/fits?
- Raised intracranial pressure due to a. meningitis b. hydrocephalus
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; faltering growth (failure to thrive)?
- GORD
- Coeliac disease
- Chronic gastrointestinal conditions
What are the possible causes, in paediatrics, of; vomiting with paroxysmal cough?
- Whooping cough
What characteristics put children at higher risk of dehydration?
- Low BW
- <1 year old
- > 2 vomiting episodes and >5 diarrhoea episodes in 24 hours
How do we manage paediatric patients that are dehydrated?
- Encourage oral fluid intake
- Use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) - frequently in small amounts
- ORS may have to be given by NG tube or IV if the patient is very ill
What percentage of children under the age of 5 years present to the NHS annually with gastroenteritis?
10%