Neonatology Flashcards
Define ‘Pre-term’
Delivery before 37 weeks completed gestation
Extreme - before 28 weeks, Very Preterm - 28 to 32 weeks, Moderate - 32 to 37 weeks
Describe the aetiologies of Preterm Infants
25% planned (life threatening pre-eclampsia etc)
30% are due to PPROM
25% are due to emergency (severe infection, placental abruption)
State Naegele’s rule of EDD
LMP + 7d -3m +1y
If an EDD wasn’t noted, the age of the baby can be estimated using Dubowitz Scoring. What is it?
Used following birth of baby
Uses external physical and neurological features to give a score which then gives a two week window of estimation
Neuromuscular - posture, popliteal angle, heel to ear
Physical - skin, lanugo hair, genitals, eye/ear
After birth the preterm will have a full range of bloods. Describe three other investigations required.
CXR (likely to require intubation so looks for any abnormalities which may complicate endotracheal tube)
AXR (check that central line via umbilical artery is in correct place, looks for NE)
Cranial USS (assess for intraventricular haemorrhage or white matter damage)
If a preterm birth is inevitable, what can be done antenatally?
Arrange delivery in tertiary centre delivery suite Antenatal steroids Magnesium Sulphate (neuroprotective)
At what age are preterm babies rescucitated?
<23 weeks ~ not performed
23-23+6 weeks ~ may be a decision not to
24-24+6 weeks ~ commenced unless severely compromised
> 25 weeks ~rescucitation and NICU
Name three things that can aid a newborns thermal regulation after delivery
Plastic Wrap
Heated Mattress
Overhead Lamp
What is the long term respiratory management considerations in preterm infants?
Surfactant Administration
Intubation and Oxygenation
Caffeine
What is the long term Cardiovascular management considerations in preterm infants?
Inotropes
Fluids
Ibuprofen/Indomethacin
What is the long term GI management considerations in preterm infants?
TPN
NG
Abx
Survival of preterm babies is rare before 23 weeks. Name four later complications in childhood of prematurity
Gross Motor Delay
Fine Motor Impairment
Behavioural Abnormalities
Speech and Language Abnormalities
Name a family support group for premature infants
Bliss
What are the five categories of withdrawing Paediatric care?
- The Brain Dead Child
- The Permanent Vegetative State
- No Chance (treatment delays death but doesn’t improve life quality or potential, not in best interest of patient)
- No Purpose (may be able to survive with treatment but it would not be in patients best interest , may leave them in a worse condition)
- Unbearable Situation (When child or family feel that more treatment is too much to handle)
Jaundice occurs in 60% of term infants and 80% preterm. What is the relevance of conjugation?
Unconjugated can be physiological or pathological
Conjugated is always pathological
Physiological jaundice starts at day 2-3 and is resolved by day 10. Give two causes.
Increased RBC break down (high concentration required in utero that is no longer needed)
Immature liver (lags behind and unable to conjugate at these high concentrations)
When can Physiological Jaundice become Pathological?
If baby is premature
If further extensive breakdown (eg from bruising)
Define Pathological Jaundice
A jaundice which requires treatment or further investigation
Give three risk factors for pathological jaundice
Prematurity
Low Birth Weight
Diabetic Mother
Describe the non physiological jaundice in terms of onset time frame - less than 24 hours
Haemolytic Disorders (Rhesus, ABO incompatibility, G6PD, Spherocytosis)
Congenital Infection
Describe the non physiological jaundice in terms of onset time frame - 24 hours to 2 weeks
Breast Milk Jaundice Dehydration Infection (UTI) Haemolytic Bruising Crigler Najjar Syndrome
Describe the non physiological jaundice in terms of onset time frame - more than 2 weeks
Unconjugated: Infection, Hypothyroidism, Haemolytic Anaemia, High GI Obstruction
Conjugated: Bile Duct Obstruction, Neonatal Hepatitis
Describe four possible clinical features of Neonatal Jaundice
- Discolouration (examine sclera, gums, skin blanche)
- Drowsy (difficult to rouse, short feeds)
- Altered Muscle Tone
- Seizures
Bilirubin needs to be measured if the Jaundice is not visible to the naked eye. Describe the two methods.
Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer (if >35 weeks gestation and >24 hours old, can be used for repeats as long as level is under 250 and no treatment required)
Serum Bilirubin if <35 weeks, <24 hours old or previous level >250
Want to know total and conjugated/unconjugated
Name five further investigations for Neonatal Jaundice
Blood Group Direct Coombs FBC (haemoglobin and haematocrit) Infection Screen LFTs
Phototherapy is a management option for Neonatal Jaundice, how is this decided?
Treatment threshold graphs that are gestation specific
If above line - phototherapy initiated and bilirubin monitored
If below line by more that 50, and clinically well don’t repeat
If below line by less than 50 and well, repeat in 18-24 hours
How does Phototherapy work for jaundice?
Via Photo- Oxidation
Adds oxygen to bilirubin so it dissolves more easily
When should phototherapy be stopped?
6-12 hourly repeats once stable
Stop once more than 50 below threshold
Check for rebound 12-18 hours after stopping
Another option for Jaundice management is Exchange Transfusion. When is this used?
If Acute encephalopathy or levels more than 8.5 micromol/l
What can you give as an adjunct to pathological jaundice due to ABO/Rhesus incompatibility?
IVIG
Kernicterus is the main complication of Neonatal Jaundice, what is it?
Bilirubin induced brain dysfunction
Accumulates in CNS grey matter causing irreversible damage
Define Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis
Sepsis within the first 48 - 72 hours of life, most commonly due to GBS
State three methods of spread causing Neonatal Sepsis
Chorioamnionitis
Birth Canal
Haematogenous
Give two early and two late manifestations of neonatal GBS
Early - RDS, Pneumonia
Late - Sepsis, Meningitis
State five red flags of Neonatal Sepsis
- RDS starting more than 4hrs after birth
- Seizures
- Signs of Shock
- Abx given to mother around birth
- Suspected in another baby if multiple pregnancy
Give three differentials for Neonatal Sepsis
TTN
RDS
Meconium Aspiration
Describe the management of Neonatal Sepsis
Initial empirical IV Benzylpenicillin and Gentamicin
If meningitis suspected - Amoxicillin and Cefotaxime
Known GBS - Benzylpenicillin
Continued for 7-10d if positive blood culture, or 14 days if CSF culture positive
How would you manage raised CRP in first 24 hours of life but negative cultures?
5 days IV Antibiotics
Define Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden and unexplained death of a child under one (remaining unexplained even after post mortem and history review)
Describe the 1994 triple risk model of SIDS
Underlying vulnerability (eg premature) Critical Development (1-3 months) Exogenous Stressor (Sleeping Prone)
Give four risk factors for SIDS
- Smoking (maternal in pregnancy and passive)
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Preterm Birth (often placed prone to improve resp function so should get used to sleeping on back pre discharge)
- Bed Sharing
Give three protective factors for SIDS
Breast Feeding
Dummies
Room Sharing
What is a Life Threatening Event Syndrome?
Combination of apnoea/change in colour/change in muscle tone/coughing/gagging
50% underlying condition 50% unknown
Describe a social benefit, and retraction to breast feeding
Benefit : It’s free
Detractions: Public Taboo
Give two medical benefits of breast feeding for the mother and the child
Child : Increased Immunity, Decreased SIDS risk
Mother: Decreased Breast Cancer, Decreased Ovarian Cancer
Why are feeding difficulties more common in preterm babies?
Coordination between suckling/swallowing and breathing is normally developed between 34-36 weeks
Give three broad causes for difficulty feeding in term babies
Anatomical Malformations (Cleft Palate, Tongue Tie)
Sleepiness (Hyperbilirubinaemia, Hypoglycaemia, Hypothyroidism)
Neurological (Strokes, Seizures, SAH)
Give four causes for feeding difficulties in infants
Cows Milk Protein Allergy
GORD
Colic
Lactose Intolerance
What is Colic?
Thought to be a combination of GORD, CMPA and Constipation
Crying more than three hours a day, more than three days a week for more than three weeks.
Drawing up knees and arching back
Give three points of the approach to a Dysmorphic Child
- Make an accurate diagnosis
- Recognise associated abnormalities and medical problems
- Optimise QoL
Describe the three types of dysmorphia in a child
Normal Spectrum of human variance (no medical significance)
Minor Anomaly (eg flat philtrum, bifid uvula)
Major Anomaly (has medical/surgical/cosmetic significance)
When should you suspect a genetic condition in a child?
Multiple minor anomalies (>3) Or More than one major anomaly Or One major and a few minor anomalies
Give an example of sex limited and sex influences expression
Limited - Hereditary Prostate Cancer
Influenced - Hypospadias
Define Malformation
Defect of morphogenesis in organ or structure
Can be isolated or part of a chromosomal disorder
Define Deformation
Abnormal form/position caused by extrinsic disruptive forces on developing foetus
Define Disruption
Destructive breakdown or interference with a normally developing structure
Define Dysplasia
Error of morphogenesis due to abnormal cellular organisation in a specific tissue (eg Achondroplasia)
Define Downs Syndrome
Genetic disorder caused by Trisomy 21 (non disjunction in maternal oogenesis, or mosaic)
Give 6 features of Downs Syndrome
Generalised Hypotonia Low Set Ears Upslanting Eyes Flat Occiput Single Palmar Crease Intellectual Impairment (IQ 26-70)
Give four other pathologies associated with Downs
Congenital Heart Defects
Deafness
Cataracts
Leukaemia
How is Downs Syndrome diagnosed prenatally?
PAPP-A
b - HCG
Nuchal Translucency
Maternal Age
How is Downs Syndrome diagnosed Post Natally?
Chromosome analysis via microarray showing Trisomy 21
Give four management points of Downs Syndrome
Specialist referrals (audiology, cardiology)
Genetic Counselling
Use of Downs Syndrome Association
Annual TFTs
What is the prognosis of Downs Syndrome?
Life expectancy well into adult life although most develop Alzheimer’s by 40 years old
Majority can live semi independent with supervision
What is Patau Syndrome?
Trisomy 13
Median survival of 8.5 days
Give 5 features of Patau Syndrome
SGA Microcephaly Cleft Lip CHD Polydactyly