OTC - Childhood conditions Flashcards
1) Define colic
2) When does colic normally occur and naturally resolve
3) List common Sx of colic
1) Excessive, high-pitched crying occurring usually in late afternoons/evening > 3 hours a day, 3 days/week for 3 weeks
2) Starts in infancy + resolves by 4-6 months of age
3) Difficult to comfort, red in face, clenched fists, knees drawn up to stomach, excessive gas, trouble passing stool
Referral criteria for colic
- Inconsolable crying (severe underlying condition?) - Failure to put on weight with age - Does not resolve after 4-6 months of age
OTC treatment for colic
1) FIRST LINE TREATMENT is advice and support for parents, and reassurance that infantile colic will resolve. Only consider trying medical treatment if parents feel unable to cope despite advice and reassurance.
2) Simethicone (Infacol) + lactase enzyme (Colief)
How does simethicone work?
Anti-flatulent - Eliminates trapped gas through belching/flatus
How does Colief (Lactase enzyme) work?
Breaks down sugar lactose found in breast and formula milk
Advice for managing colic (general advice to parents)
- Reassure parent not their fault and baby will grow out of it - Massage baby’s tummy in circular motion - Hold baby during curing episode, rock them and give them warm baths, burp after feed, hold upright during feed to avoid swallowing air
Simethicone dose for colic
20mg (0.5ml) administered before each feed and then increased to 40mg (1ml) if necessary. If no improvement after 7 days, refer to GP.
What is cradle cap?
Greasy, yellow scales on scalp
Starts in infancy before <6 months
Self-limiting, clears up after a few weeks/months
As scales flake off, skin underneath may look red
Referral criteria for cradle cap
Severe cradle cap on face/body
Swelling, scratching, bleeding (atopic eczema?)
Infected/inflamed - crusts leak fluid/blood
No improvement after a few weeks treatment
OTC treatment for cradle cap
- Capasal shampoo (salicylic acid + coal tar)
- Nizoral dandruff shampoo (ketoconazole)
General advice for cradle cap
- Common and harmless
- Not contagious
- Do not pick scales - infection
Meningitis:
Non specific + specific Sx
Non-blanching rash (pale, blotchy skin with widespread bruises which does not fade when pressed when press with a glass tumbular)
Non-specific:
- worsening flu like sx
- high fever
- severe muscle ache
- N + V
Specific:
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache
- Cold hands and feet
- Confusion, drowsiness
- Photobia, dislike bright lights
- Seizures
List some common symptoms of meningitis in infants
Floppiness/unresponsive, dislike being handled, refuse feeds, difficuly to work, rapid breathing/grunting, unusual cry, bulging
Referral for meningitis
ALL suspected cases should be referred to hospital
Incubation period for:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Measles 7-14 days
- Mumps 14-21 days
- Rubella 14-21 days
Prodormal phase of MMR (each one has diff. symptoms)
Measles - cold-like Sx, conjunctivitus, Koplik spots (small white spots surrounded by red ring on inner cheek + gums) - picture attached
Mumps - Fever, headache, malaise
Rubella - Lymphadenoapthy (swollen lymph glands, usually at back)
Characterisitcs of MMR (rash looks like? + where does it start?)
Measles - Rash starts behind ears and then spreads to face, trunks and limbs. Rash = confluent, blotchy (pic attached)
Mumps - Swelling of one of both of parotid glands
Rubella - Rash starts on face + spreads to limbs and trunk. Rash = Mascular, non confluent
Which rash is this between measles/rubella
Measles