Long Cases Flashcards
Most common CF infections in younger children
- Staph
- Pseudomonas
- Haemophilus
- E.Coli
- Strep pneumoniae
Most common CF infections in older children/adolescents
- Burkholderia cepacia
- Achromobacter Xylosoxidans
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
- Klebsiella
- Enterobacter
- Fungal - aspergillus fumigatus
- Non TB mycobacteria
What is the CFTR protein
Cyclic-AMP regulated chloride channel on the apical surface of epithelial cells - lack of this leads to dehydration of both mucous and airway surface liquid, and disturbance of mucociliary clearance
CFTR modulator drugs
- Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor (Orkambi) used in F508del patients - helps with protein folding
Which CF mutation is associated with pancreatic insufficiency in 99%?
Phe508del (F508del)
Discuss the different CF class mutations
- Class I (3%) - no protein e.g. G542X. Stop mutation, nonsense, short protein which is deleted, therefore no function.
- Class II (90%) - no trafficking e.e F508del. Abnormal folding, trafficking defect, therefore no traffic to cell membrane.
- Class III (5%) - no function. e.g. G551D. Gating defect, protein can get to cell wall but Cl- cannot get out of cell.
- Class IV - less function
- Class V - less protein
- Class VI - less stable
CF monitoring of disease progression
- Infants usually seen weekly
- As get older usually review 3 monthly, and annual review for disease progression with:
- Sputum culture, CXR, nutritional assessment, lung function tests, LFTs, FBC, vitamin levels, total IgE (ABPA)
- Oral glucose tolerance test from age 10yrs or earlier if symptoms or decline in lung function tests
- High res CT scan in primary/secondary school to look for bronchiectasis
Treatment of pseudomonas infection in CF
Ciprofloxacin (but develop rapid resistance) + nebulised antibiotics e.g. tobramycin or colistin (usually alternating month on and off neb antibiotics in chronic pseudomonas to avoid AB resistance). IV = tazocin or ceftazidime
3 significant factors for poor outcome post lung transplant for CF:
repeat transplant, mechanical ventilation at time of transplant, co-existing congenital heart disease
3 main causes of death post lung transplant for CF:
early graft dysfunction, infection, bronchiolitis obliterans
Treatment of DIOS
Nasogastric decompression, IV hydration, enema. If incomplete obstruction then paraffin oil, stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, low residue diet, enema. Can also use NAC, gastrografin.
Predisposing factors for DIOS
Pancreatic insufficiency, under replacement of PERT, meconium ileus, dehydration
Causes of weight loss in CF
Non compliance, insufficient calories, insufficient PERT, CF related diabetes, chest infection, coeliac disease/IBD
Risks of indomethicin treatment
Renal impairment and NEC
Risks of TPN therapy in premature infants
- Extravasation
- Line infections
- Thrombosis
- Conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (TPN associated liver disease)
Risk of infections in nephrotic syndrome
- Due to loss of immunoglobulins and complement in urine, and steroid treatment
- Especially pneumococcal and streptococcal infections
- Peritonitis and septicaemia
- Treat with oral penicillin prophylaxis while have proteinuria
- Remember immunisations including pneumococcal and influenza
- High dose steroids may mask signs of infection
- Risk of chickenpox and measles
Risk of thrombosis in nephrotic syndrome
- Due to renal loss of antithrombin 3, hyperviscosity, and hypovolaemia
- Can present as macrosopic haematuria (renal vein thrombosis)
- Decreased risk with being well hydrated and mobilsing
High risk groups for subacute bacterial endocarditis?
- Patients with multiple interventions e.g. chronic line placements
- Immunocompromised (immunodeficiency, sickle cell, chemotherapy etc)
- Unrepaired congenital cyanotic heart disease and those with prosthetic materials
- Older patients with CHD
What is appropriate SBE prophylaxis?
Amoxycillin 1hr prior to procedure (1.5g <10y, 3g 10y). If allergic then cephalosporin. May add aminoglycoside if prosthetic heart valve.
How do ACE inhibitors work in cardiac failure?
Reduce afterload (mainly) and preload
What are the important side effects of ACE inhibitors?
Hypotension, renal impairment, hyperkalaemia
When should T21 children have ECHOs?
After diagnosis/birth and again at 6 weeks of age
Down Syndrome adolescents have increased risk of what cardiac diseases?
- 50% develop mitral valve prolapse
- Can also get aortic incompetence
- Hypertension and atheroma risk is low despite obesity and unfavourable lipids
Rates of hearing loss in T21 children and adults?
- 50-80% children
- 90% of adults
- Conductive, sensorineural, or mixed
- Small pinna, narrow canals, impacted ear wax, middle-ear fluid
When should children with T21 see an ophthalmologist?
By 6-12 months of age, and then yearly. High risk of multiple eye issues (refractive, strabismus, nystagmus, cataracts, glaucoma etc)
What are the behavioral issues seen in Down Syndrome?
- ADHD-like, autism, conduct/oppositional defiant disorder, aggressive behaviour
- Autism diagnosis often made later than in non DS kids. Can present as atypical behaviour in infancy, or autistic regression age 3-7 years
What screening bloods should be done in children with Down Syndrome?
- T4 + TSH at birth, 6 months, then yearly
- Coeliac screen at age 2, no consensus on when to repeat
- FBC for TMD and leukaemia
What haematological abnormalities are seen in Down Syndrome?
- Neonatal polycythaemia and macrocytosis
- Transient myeloproliferative disorder
- ALL, AML
What autoimmune diseases are associated with T1DM?
Coeliac disease (6%) Hashimoto's thyroiditis (3%) Grave's disease Addison's disease Primary ovarian failure Vitiligo Ulcerative colitis
What is the risk of developing T1DM:
- Identical twin
- Sibling
- If mother +ve
- If father +ve
- If both parents +ve
What is the risk of developing T1DM:
- Identical twin - 40-50%
- Sibling - 1-2%
- If mother +ve - 2-3%
- If father +ve - 5-6%
- If both parents +ve - 30%
When should screening for complications of T1DM begin and what should you do?
- From age 12 onwards, yearly:
- Fundoscopy (retinopathy)
- Clinical exam (neuropathy)
- Urine albumin:creatinine ratio (nephropathy) - if positive then ACE- and 24 hours BP monitor (loss of night-time dip)
- Discussion around smoking
- Monitoring of hypertension and lipid profiles
How do you diagnose T1DM?
- Classic: polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, random BSL >11.8
- Asymptomatic: fasting BSL >7.0 and 2hr postprandial BSL >11
- Presentation with DKA (30-40% cases)
Discuss the ages at which NF1 changes occur
- Any age:developmental delay, plexiform neuromas
- diffuse plexiform fibromas before age 1
- birth to 8 optic pathway rumours
- birth to 2 CALMs
- bony anomalies first 2 years
- 2 years onwards hypertension
- 3 to 5 years freckling
- 5 year onwards neurofibromas
- 5-10 years lisch nodules
- 6-10 years scoliosis
Discuss the ages at which NF1 changes occur
- Any age:developmental delay, plexiform neuromas
- diffuse plexiform fibromas before age 1
- birth to 8 optic pathway rumours
- birth to 2 CALMs
- bony anomalies first 2 years
- 2 years onwards hypertension
- 3 to 5 years freckling
- 5 year onwards neurofibromas
- 5-10 years lisch nodules
- 6-10 years scoliosis
Management of acne
- Avoid triggers + picking
- Regular cleansing
- Topical antibiotics (clindamycin/erythromycin)
- Oral antibiotics min 3m (doxycycline)
- OCP (Estelle: cyproterone acetate) if premenstrual flares
- Topical isotretinoin
- Systemic isotretinoin (roaccutane) - dermatologist, cystic acne, teratogenic/dry skin/sun sensitivity
What does HEADSSS stand for?
Home Education/employment Activities Drugs and alcohol Sexuality/relationships Suicide risk/mood Safety (behaviour + environment)
Managing behavioural issues in children
- Prioritise and identify 2 most important
- Clear boundaries, Consistency, Consequences
- 4-pronged approach: environmental modulation, time-out, ignore other behaviours, praise for good behaviours
What are the risk factors for osteopenia?
- Immobility/reduced weight bearing
- Diet - especially in adolescence (dieting)
- Reduced sun exposure/dark skinned
- Delayed puberty and amenorrhea
- Antiepileptics/steroids/warfarin
- Liver failure/fat malabsorption
- Renal failure
Side effects of bisphosphonates
- Initially hypocalcaemia
- Myalgia
- Bone pain
- Fevers
- Avascular necrosis of TMJ
- Renal impairment
Investigations for osteoporosis
- Ca, Phos, ALP, VIt D +/- PTH
- X-rays
- DEXA scan (bone mineral density hip + lumbar spine)
Treatment of osteoporosis
- Calcium supplements
- Vitamin D - cholecalciferol, calcitriol
- Hormonal therapy
- Reduce fracture risk
- Exercise program
- Bisphosphonates
What are the indications for bisphosphonate therapy?
- Z score <2.0 +
- > 1 vertebral compression fractures
- > 2 long bone fractures
- Significant # in low mobility (eg CP) or low tone condition (eg DMD)
- OI with fractures
OR hypercalcaemia, or AVN+bone pain
What are the two standard cognitive tests?
- < 6yo WIPSI (Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence)
- > 6yo WISC (Wechsler intelligence scale for children)
Assisted communication strategies
- Ensure have had formal assessment of hearing and vision
- Glasses and hearing aids
- Environmental modifications
- Non-aided: gestures, facial expressions, key word signs from Makaton vocabulary
- Aided: printed words or pictures, feeling boards, cored boards/PODD book, switches, sound picture boards
Ways to increase compliance in adolescents
- Explain that poor adherence is common
- Identify barriers (lack of understanding of complications, side effects, doesn’t fit into lifestyle, bullying, forgetfulness, depression)
- Start increasing their autonomy (see independently, discuss confidentiality, re-educate about disease and medications, explore understanding)
- Simplify regime (decrease number and frequency of meds, avoid school-time meds, be flexible)
- Increase compliance (written instructions, routine/alarms, negotiate role of parents)
- Set short term goals e.g. 1 month, and regular review
Organic causes of constipation
- CMPI
- Hirschsprung’s disease
- Coeliac
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypercalcaemia
- Spinal cord pathology
How do ACE inhibitors work
ACE inhibitors decrease the production of angiotensin II and thereby decrease the vasoconstriction (or increased after-load) against which the left ventricle needs to pump. This results in decreased myocardial work, thus improving cardiac output.
What medications would you use in heart failure
ACE inhibitor (captopril, enalapril) Beta blocker (not when acute or decompensated) Frusemide
Key activities of daily living to ask about
○ Feeding - breast, bottle, solids, nutritional supplements, feeding supports (NG, PEG)
○ Toileting - nappies (day/night), support with toileting, enuresis, constipation
○ Dressing - self/assisted, orthotics
○ Mobility - supports, issues, limitations on activities
○ Communication - speech, vision, hearing
○ Equipment (hoists, wheelchair, walking frames)
○ Puberty management (older child, especially periods)
○ Sleep
○ Dental
What medical issues are related with Spina Bifida
- Mobility
- Incontinence - urinary and faecal
- Hydrocephalus (90%) - may require VP shunt. Arnold Chiari II malformation
- Syringomyelia and tethered cord
- Cognitive, developmental delays
- Orthopaedic: scoliosis, kyphosis, deformity
- Decreased bone mineral density, fractures
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- Pressure ulcers, latex allergy
- Vision and hearing
- Growth and development including precocious puberty, GH deficiency, short stature, obesity - HP axis disruption
- Seizures
- Low self esteem and depression
What are the indications for intermittent urinary catheterisation in spina bifida?
High pressure systems:
- UTI
- Hydronephrosis
- VUR
- Incomplete emptying
Start from 2 weeks age, with 3-4 times per day
What are the complications of VP shunts?
- Infection
- Obstruction (under-drainage) - raised ICP symptoms, neurological deterioration
- Low pressure syndrome (over-drainage) - headache (worse with getting up), dizziness, fainting
- Seizures
What is an Arnold Chiari 2 malformation
- Downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils
and vermis through the foramen magnum - Elongation and kinking of medulla
- Caudal displacement of spinal cord and medulla
- Obliteration of the cisterna magna
Can lead to compression of brainstem, dysfunction of cerebellum cranial nerve IX+X abnormalities and hydrocephalus
Symptoms of an Arnold Chiari 2 malformation
- Swallowing difficulties with choking on foods, nasal regurgitation, GOR
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Dysarthria
- OSA, cyanosis, stridor
- Hoarse or high-pitched cry
- Weakness or spasticity of upper limbs
- Headaches
- Scoliosis
- Dizziness, clumsiness, poor coordination (cerebellar)
Treatment of an Arnold Chiari 2 malformation
- Decompression of medulla and upper cervical cord
- Duraplasty to increase size of dural sac
- Cervical laminectomy below the lowest level of the cerebellar tonsils
- Leads to improvement in cerebellar function and upper limb weakness
What are the features of syringomyelia
- Upper limb weakness
- Back pain
- Scoliosis
- Spasticity or motor loss in the lower limbs
- Similar symptoms to Arnold Chiari 2 malformation. Present in 80% of myelomeningocele patients, but only symptomatic in 2-5%
Discuss the complications and management of scoliosis in Spina Bifida
- The higher the lesion the more likely scoliosis
- Due to spinal muscle weakness
- Increases with age
- Curves > 30 degrees require formal surgical interventions
- Can lead to decreased lung capacity, recurrent infections, cor pulmonale, impairment of height, pressure sores, need for surgery (rods, or spinal fusion if at full height
Signs of a tethered cord
- Often appear during periods of growth e.g. adolescence
- Present in nearly all children with repaired myelomeningocele (scar tissue)
- Gait changes - crouched
- Lower limb pain
- Worsening of motor function (decr muscle strength + inc tone)
- Change in sensory level
- Change in bowel or urinary habit
- Progressive foot deformities
Management of worsening scoliosis in spina bifida
- Especially during adolescence/increased growth
- Need to rule out syringomyelia/tethered cord/Chiari malformation/failure of VP shunt as the cause
Most common tumours in NF1?
Benign neurofibromas (Schwann cell tumours)
Optic gliomas
Brain tumours (brainstem and cerebellar gliomas)
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (in 10%)
Pheochromocytoma
Management of optic glioma in NF1
- Children under age 7 most at risk from symptomatic optic gliomas
- Develop in 15%
- Chemo (vincristine, cisplatin), surgery for debulking
Learning and behavioural difficulties in NF1
- ADHD, ASD
- Executive planning, problem-solving, speech intelligibility
- Self-esteem, anxiety, depression
MSK issues in NF1
- Dystrophic scoliosis - requires surgery and ant/post fusion, doesn’t respond to bracing
- Tibial pseudarthrosis - complex and difficult management. Early bracing to prevent fractures. May require amputations if poor blood supply + fractures
- Osteoporosis - doesn’t respond to calcium/Vit D. Trials underway with bisphosphonates
Causes and treatment of hypertension in NF1
- Essential hypertension
- Renal artery stenosis
- Pheochromocytoma
- Coarctation of aorta
- Lifestyle (weight loss, salt restriction, manage OSA)
- ACE inhibitors, sartans, beta blockers, frusemide
- If BP is elevated then 24-hour urinary excretion of catecholamines and metabolites
Cardiac disease in NF1
- Pulmonary stenosis most common (2%) (NF1-Noonan syndrome)
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Aortic valve stenosis
Management of secretions/drooling
- Common in CP and neurodevelopmental - due to difficulty managing, not excessive production
- SLT input, video swallow if aspiration concerns
- Can cause skin irritation, embarrassment, aspiration
- Conservative: seating, positioning, using straw more to help learn suck, bibs, clothing
- Meds: anticholinergics (hyoscine patch and glycopyrrolate) - SEs drowsiness, constipation, urinary retention, thick secretions with aspiration risk
- Botox injections into parotid gland
- Surgical excision sublingual glands and transplant submandibular glands to back of mouth
Managemnet of nocturnal enuresis
- 10% 5yr olds, 7% 7yr olds, 5% 10 yr olds, 1-2% 15yr olds
- Rule out secondary causes
- Behavioural: scheduled awakenings, alarms/bells
- DDAVP short term fix, can use for 3/12 with pad if failed previously
- No blame
- Parental reassurance
- Imipramine (TCA), no longer used
DMD genetic counselling
- Mum’s relatives need counselling as may be carriers
- Check mum’s creatinine - if high then carrier. If normal could be mosaicism, may need genetic testing
- Carriers can get cardiomyopathy
Which conditions can you do pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for?
- Via PCR/FISH
- CF, DMD, thalassaemia, haemophilia, sickle cell, SMA, fragile X, huntington’s, retinoblastoma
What are side effects of growth hormone therapy?
- SUFE
- Headaches, benign ICH
- Reversible hypothyroidism
- N+V
- Gynaecomastia
- Peripheral oedema
Causes of failure to thrive
- Inorganic 90%
- Poor intake - oral aversion, nausea, pain, GOR
- Malabsorption - coeliac, CF
- Increased expenditure - hyperthyroid, chronic illness e.g. renal failure, CF
- Increased output/losses - diabetes insipidus, diarrhoea, vomiting
Investigations for failure to thrive
- Plot weight, height, HC
- Assessment of nutritional stores
- FBC, U+Es, LFTs, TFTs, coeliac screen, ESR, micronutrients (B12, folate, iron, vitamins)
- Urine (proteinuria), faecal calprotectin if older
- Consider metabolic work up, sweat test
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss
- AR in 50%, connexin 26 mutation
- Syndromes: Usher, Pendred, Goldenhaar, Treacher collins (usually conductive), NF2, Alports, Waardenburg
- Infections: rubella, meningitis, mastoiditis, TB
- Drugs: gentamicin, frusemide
- Bilirubin
- Tumours
Investigations in SN hearing loss
- TFTs (Pendreds)
- U+Es, urinalysis (Alports)
- Connexin 26
- ECG (Jervell-Lange-Neilson)
- Rubella serology on Guthrie card
- CT/MRI - exclude vestibular aqueduct, avoid contact sports
Management of hearing loss
- Monitor linguistic and social development, may need SLT input
- Reduce OM - early antibiotics, reduce smoking/daycare/dummies
- Grommets short term benefit - if bilat >30db conductive loss and recurrent OME
- Environmental - quiet background noise, talk loudly, ear plugs with loud noises to protect hearing
- Amplification if 50db loss
- Hearing aids (conductive or SN)
- Cochlear implants age <2y
- Alternative forms of communication if 80db loss, lip reading/signing
Side effects of mycophenolate
- Myelosuppression: leukopenia, increased risk of infection
- Malignancy: haematological, esp lymphoma
- Gut effects: diarrhoea, bleed, perforation