Gastroenterology Flashcards
What are symptoms of Abdominal Migraine?
Abdominal pain >1 hour Nausea and vomiting Headache Photophobia Aura Pallor
What are treatments of Abdominal Migraine?
Low stimulus environment
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Sumatriptan
What drug is used to prevent Abdominal Migraines? What is the mechanism of action?
Pizotifen, serotonin agonist
What medication is first-line for constipation in children?
Movicol, osmotic laxative
What does a “ribbon stool” suggest?
Anal stenosis
What two conditions are associated with Meconium Ileus?
Cystic Fibrosis, Hirschprung’s disease
What ABG result would you expect in Pyloric Stenosis?
Hypochloraemic, Hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis (with high bicarbonate levels)
What are the two associations with Pyloric stenosis?
Macrolide antibiotic use
Turner’s Syndrome
What is the typical history from a patient with Pyloric Stenosis? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated?
Normal birth, but in first few weeks starts to project non-bilious vomit 30mins after feeding. Olive shaped mass palpable in RUQ, and observable peristalsis in abdomen
Diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound, which shows a thickened pylorus
Treated by a laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (Ramstedt operation)
What is the most common cause of obstruction in children?
Intussusception
What is the typical history from a patient with Intussusception?
Severe colicky abdominal pain, with a redcurrant jelly stool. RUQ sausage shaped mass, and patient will draw knees up to their chest
What age group does Intussusception occur in?
Aged 6 months to 2 years old
How is Intussusception diagnosed? What is the sign to look for?
By Abdominal Ultrasound: Target Bull’s eye lesion
By contrast Enema
How is Intussusception managed?
- Therapeutic enema with air sufflation
- Surgical reduction if enema fails
- Surgical resection if bowel is gangrenous
What is Hirschprung’s Disease?
A congenital condition where parasympathetic ganglionic cells of the Meissners and Myenteric plexus are absent from the distal bowel and rectum which controls peristalsis
What are symptoms of Hirschprung’s Disease?
Failure to pass meconium within 48 hours, chronic constipation, FTT, abdominal pain, poor weight gain, vomiting
What two ways is Hirschprung’s Disease diagnosed?
- Abdominal X-Ray
- Rectal suction biopsy of mucosa + submucosa
What is Hirschprung’s Disease associated with?
Down’s Syndrome
Neurofibromatosis
Waardenburg Syndrome
Men Type II
What is the definitive treatment for Hirschprung’s Disease?
Resection of aganglionic bowel, anorectal pull through
What is Oesophageal Atresia associated with?
VACTERL association, Polyhydramnios
What does VACTERL stand for?
Vertebral defects Anal atresia Cardiac defects Tracheo-Esophageal fistula Renal anomalies Limb abnormalities
What is Oesophageal Atresia? When does it occur during development?
Where the oesophageal tube is interrupted, becoming a blind-end pouch. Occurs during Week 4 of development
What are symptoms of Oesophageal Atresia?
Increased oral secretions, regurgitation, choking, cyanotic spells
What is Duodenal Atresia associated with?
Down’s Syndrome, polyhydramnios
What is the main finding on AXR for Duodenal Atresia? How do we treat Duodenal Atresia?
Double bubble sign
Duodenoduodenostomy
What is the main symptom of Duodenal Atresia?
Bilous vomiting
What is the most common cause of Gastroenteritis in children?
Rotavirus
What are the features of Gastroenteritis?
Diarrhoea for 5-7 days, and vomiting for 1-2 days
What is the electrolyte abnormality associated with Gastroenteritis? What are symptoms of it?
Hypernatraemia
Jittery movements, drowsiness, coma, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, convulsions
What is Traveller’s Diarrhoea defined as? What is it caused by?
3 loose stools or more in 24 hours, associated with fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting
Most commonly caused by E. Coli in developed world, but in Southeast Asia is caused by Campylobacter
How do manage a child with Gastroenteritis?
- Barrier nursing / infection control
- Stay off school 48 hours until symptoms improve
- Microscopy, culture, sensitivities on stool sample
- Fluid challenge: 20ml / kg 0.9% NaCl
- Rehydration solutions i.e. Dioralyte