Paediatric - Gastroenterology Flashcards
GORD is caused by reflux through which sphincter
Lower oesophageal sphincter
Name some signs of problematic reflux in babies
And over 1 yo?
Chronic cough Hoarse cry Distress, crying or unsettled after feeding Reluctance to feed Pneumonia Poor weight gain
- Children over one year may experience similar symptoms to adults, with heartburn, acid regurgitation, retrosternal or epigastric pain, bloating and nocturnal cough
What could you advise to prevent reflux after feeding?
Small, frequent meals
Burping regularly to help milk settle
Not over-feeding
Keep the baby upright after feeding (i.e. not lying flat)
Name a risk factor for GORD
Premature birth.
Parental history of heartburn or acid regurgitation.
Obesity.
Hiatus hernia.
History of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (repaired) or congenital oesophageal atresia (repaired).
Neurodisability (such as cerebral palsy)
What symptoms might require same-day admission in a baby presenting with GORD
Haematemesis
Melaena.
Dysphagia.
What is Sandifer’s syndrome?
This is a rare condition causing brief episodes of abnormal movements associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants. The infants are usually neurologically normal. The key features are:
Torticollis: forceful contraction of the neck muscles causing twisting of the neck
Dystonia: abnormal muscle contractions causing twisting movements, arching of the back or unusual postures
At what age is pyloric stenosis common?
2-8 weeks
Name some features of Infantile Pyloric Stenosis
- Onset of vomiting at 2-8 weeks of age (non-bilious, often projectile, increasing in frequency/intensity and usually 30-60 minutes after a feed, with the baby remaining hungry) (Slight haematemesis may occur.)
- Persistent hunger, weight loss, dehydration, lethargy, and infrequent or absent bowel movements may be seen. (Failure to Thrive)
- Stomach wall peristalsis may be visible.
- An enlarged pylorus, classically described as an ‘olive’, may be palpated in the right upper quadrant or epigastrium of the abdomen at the start of a feed
Name 2 investigations for Infantile Pyloric Stenosis
U+E, USS
What electrolyte imbalance might be seen on blood gas analysis of a baby vomiting due to pyloric stenosis?
blood gas analysis will show a hypochloric (low chloride) metabolic alkalosis as the baby is vomiting the hydrochloric acid from the stomach
Name some features of Acute Appendicitis
- Periumbilical or epigastric pain that worsens, and migrates to the right lower quadrant over 24–48 hours. It is typically aggravated by movement.
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever, general malaise, and anorexia.
- Nausea, vomiting, and sometimes constipation or diarrhoea.
- Tenderness in the right lower quadrant on abdominal examination, which may be worse on coughing or hopping in children.
- Abdominal distension, guarding, rebound tenderness or percussion tenderness, or absent bowel sounds (which may all suggest peritonitis).
- A palpable abdominal mass (which may suggest an appendix mass or abscess).
- Rovsing’s sign + rebound and percussion tenderness
- Note: appendicitis may present atypically, particularly in the very young, elderly, and in pregnancy, and the anatomical position of the appendix may vary resulting in different clinical presentations.
What are some key differentials to exclude with Appendicitis?
- Ectopic (serum bHCG - pregnancy test)
- Ovarian cysts (rupture/torsion?)
- Meckel’s diverticulum (malformation of distal ileum, which can cause intussusception/volvulus)
- Mesenteric adenitis (inflamed abdominal lymph nodes, due to URTI?)
- Appendix mass (omentum surrounds and sticks to the inflamed appendix)
At what age is Intussusception common?
+sex?
It typically occurs in infants 6 months to 2 years and is more common in boys.
Name a condition which is associated with Intussusception
- Concurrent viral illness
- Henoch-Schonlein purpura
- Cystic fibrosis
- Intestinal polyps
- Meckel diverticulum
How might Intussusception present?
- Severe, colicky abdominal pain
- Pale, lethargic and unwell child
- “Redcurrant jelly stool”
- Right upper quadrant mass on palpation. This is described as “sausage-shaped”
- Vomiting
- Intestinal obstruction
(The typical child in the exam will have viral URTI preceding the illness + intestinal obstruction features (vomiting, absolute constipation and abdominal distention). Ultrasound is the initial investigation of choice.
Meckel’s Diverticulum is caused due to vestigial remnant of what duct?
the vitellointestinal duct
Most cases of Meckel’s Diverticulum are asymptomatic
How might the symptomatic patient present?
- Haemorrhage
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Diverticulitis
- Perforation
- Umbilical anomaly
- Neoplasm
Name a cause of intestinal obstruction
- Meconium ileus
- Hirschsprung’s disease
- Oesophageal atresia
- Duodenal atresia
- Intussusception
- Imperforate anus
- Malrotation of the intestines with a volvulus
- Strangulated hernia
How might intestinal obstruction present in a child?
- Persistent vomiting. This may be bilious, containing bright green bile.
- Abdominal pain and distention
- Failure to pass stools or wind
- Abnormal bowel sounds. These can be high pitched and “tinkling” early in the obstruction and absent later.
What is the initial investigation for intestinal obstruction?
Abdominal X-ray