GI Flashcards
Pyloric stenosis Coeliac disease Vomiting Crohn's Ulcerative colitis Abdominal pain Diarrhoea Intussusception
What is pyloric stenosis
hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle causing gastric outlet obstruction
When does pyloric stenosis typically present?
at 2-7 weeks of age
In what gender is pyloric stenosis more common?
boys
What is a risk factor for pyloric stenosis?
fhx
What are the clinical features of pyloric stenosis?
vomiting - projectile
hunger after vomiting until dehydration leads to loss of interest in feeding
weight loss if delayed presentation
hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis w low plasma sodium and potassium
What are the ix for pyloric stenosis?
test feed
gastric peristalsis
pyloric mass - feels like an olive in RUQ
US
What is the management of pyloric stenosis?
correct fluid and electrolytes - IV (0.45% saline and 5% dextrose w potassium)
Ramsteds pyloromyotomy
What is intussusception?
invagination of proximal bowel into distal segment
Where does intussusception most commonly occur?
ileocecal joint
What is the peak age of presentation of intussusception?
3m - 2yrs
What is a serious complication of intussusception ?
stretching and constriction of mesentery -> venous obstruction -> bleeding and engorgement from bowel mucosa, fluid loss and bowel perforation, peritonitis and gut necrosis
What are the signs/sx of intussusception ?
- paroxysms of severe colicky pain
- during episodes, go pale and draws up legs
- vomiting (can be bile stained)
- redcurrent jelly stool (late sign or during PR)
- sausage shaped mass palpable
What are the ix for intussusception?
USS - may show target like mass
What is the management of intussusception?
Reduction by rectal air insufflation (unless peritonitis) operative reduction (laparotomy)
Explain the pathophysiology of coeliac disease
- Gliadin part of gluten provokes a damaging immunological response in the proximal small intestinal mucosa
- There is rate of migration of enterocytes moving up the villi from the crypts but this is insufficient to compensate for cell loss from the villous tips
- Villi become shorter and then absent (villous atrophy)
- Mucosa becomes flat
What is the incidence of coeliac disease in children
1/100
What genes are associated w coeliac disease?
HLA-DQ2
HLA-DQ8
When does presentation of coeliac depend?
time child starts eating gluten
What is the typical presentation of coeliac disease
malabsorptive syndrome: failure to thrive, weight loss bloating diarrhoea anaemia
what are the clinical features of coeliac disease?
Highly variable including mild non-specific GI symptoms, anaemia and growth failure, arthralgia, short stature
What are the ix for coeliac disease
- +ve IgA tissue transglutaminase abs
- +ve endomysial abs
- small bowel biopsy at endoscopy confirms
When is a gluten challenge indicated in ix for coeliac disease?
when biopsy is doubtful
response to gluten withdrawal is doubtful
<2yrs
What is the management of coeliac disease?
gluten free diet!!
What foods contain gluten?
wheat, barley, rye
bread, cake, pasta, pizza, pies
What foods don’t contain gluten that are ok to eat?
rice
maize
soya
potato
What conditions is coeliac disease associated w?
T1DM
Hypothyroidism
What is the prognosis of coeliac disease?
good if gluten free diet adhered to
increased risk of small bowel malignancy if not adhered to
What are common causes of abdominal pain?
gastroenteritis
UTI
Viral illness
appendicitis
What is hard faeces a sign of?
constipation
In children of African or mediterranean decent w abdominal pain, what is important to consideR?
sickle cell disease
What test is important if you suspect TB in abdominal pain?
tuberculin test
What is pica and what is important to test for this?
eating non-food items
blood lead level and ferritin
What does periodic abdominal pain w vomiting pointt to?
abdo migraine
Abdominal pain in the presence of past UTIs points to what?
GU disease e.g renal colic
What are important investigations for abdominal pain?
- urine dip - diabetes, UTI
- AXR
- US, FBC, CRP, renal imaging, barium studies
What are some rarer causes of abdominal pain?
Mumps Pancreatitis Diabetes Volvulus Intussusception Meckel’s diverticulum Peptic ulcer Crohns/UC Hirschsprung’s disease Henoch-Schönlein purpura Hydronephrosis
What cause of abdominal pain is important to rule out in boys?
testicular torsion
What causes of abdominal pain are important to consider in older girls?
menstruation
PID
What are some extra-abdominal causes of abdominal pain?
Upper RTI
Lower lobe pneumonia
Testicular torsion
What age is appendicitis not usually seen?
under 5yo
What are the sx of appendicitis?
− Anorexia
− Vomiting (minimal)
− Abdo pain, initially central and colicky but then localising to RIF
− Flushed face with oral fetor (strong foul smell)
What are the signs of appendicitis?
low grade fever (37.2-38)
Abdo pain aggravated by movement
Persistent tenderness, guarding in RIF (McBurney’s point)
What is McBurney’s point?
Most common location of the base of the appendix where it is attached to the caecum
How does appendicitis in preschool children tend to present?
faecoliths seen on AXR
Rapid perforation as omentum less well developed and fails to surround appendix
What is a faecolith
hard discrete mass of thickened faeces
What are the investigations for appendicitis?
US may support diagnosis
many tests aren’t useful
What are the complications of appendicitis?
abscess
perforation
What is the management of uncomplicated appendicitis?
appendicectomy
What is complicated appendicitis?
appendicitis + complications (perforation, appendix mass, abscess)
What is the management of complicated appendicitis?
fluids, IV abx, laparotomy to remove appendix
what age is Gastro-oesophageal reflux common and why?
infancy
inappropriate relaxation of the LOS due to functional immaturity
what are the risk factors for Gastro-oesophageal reflux
fluid diet
horizontal posture
short intra-abdominal length
How does Gastro-oesophageal reflux usually present?
recurrent regurgitation
distress after feeds
child is usually well and putting on weight
In who is severe gastro-oesophageal reflux common in?
cerebral palsy
preterm
following surgery for oesophageal atresia or diaphragmatic hernia
What are the complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux?
failure to thrive -severe vomiting
oesophagitis - haematemesis, discomfort on feeding, anaemia
pneumonia - due to recurrent aspiration
What are the ix for gastro-oesophageal reflux?
USUALLY CLINICAL
24h oesophageal pH monitoring to quantify degree of reflux
endoscopy w oesophageal biopsy
What is the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux?
- thickening agents to feeds
- position 30 degree head up
- avoid overfeeding
- alginate therapy
What treatment may be needed in severe gastro-oesophageal reflux?
PPI - omeprazole
H2 receptor antagonist - ranitidine
Domperidone to enhance gastric emptying