Paediatric GI - Presentations Flashcards
How can vomiting episodes be described?
Acute - discreet episode
Chronic - low grade daily pattern associated with mild illness
Cyclical - discreet episodes + abdo pain. Child well in-between
What commonly causes children to vomit?
Gastroenteritis
Constipation
Appendicitis
Viral associated non specific vomiting
What commonly causes infants to vomit?
Intussusception
Pyloric stenosis
Malrotation/volvulus
Systemic infection
What is important to ask about in the history of vomiting?
Any blood or bile?
Projectile?
Duration?
Associated symptoms?
What does biliary vomit suggest?
Obstruction until proven otherwise
What does projectile vomiting indicate?
Pyloric stenosis
What do you assess on examination of a child who is vomiting?
Signs of dehydration Fever Abdominal distention Hernial orifices and genitalia Cranial signs Urinary signs FB ingestion
How is vomiting managed?
Support with fluids if dehydrated
Find and treat cause
What complications are associated with vomiting?
Dehydration
Electrolyte disturbance
Mallory Weiss
Aspiration
What is diarrhoea?
Change in frequency and consistency of stool with enough fluid and electrolyte loss to cause illness
What most commonly causes diarrhoea?
Viral illness - self limiting
What symptoms raise suspicion of another cause to diarrhoea?
Unwell child Abdo tenderness and guarding Shock Jaundice Reduced urine output Bloody stool Bilious vomit
What can cause bloody diarrhoea?
Infective - campylobacter, shigella, amoeba
Intussusception - est. 6-9 months
Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome
IBD
What are the viral causes of acute diarrhoea?
Rotavirus
Small round structured virus
Adenovirus
What are the bacterial causes of acute diarrhoea?
E. Coli Campylobacter spp. Salmonella spp. Shigella spp. Vibrio cholerae
What are the protozoal causes of acute diarrhoea?
Giardia lamblia
Entamoeba histolytica
Cryptosporidium parvum
What sign would suggest gastroenteritis has a bacterial cause?
Temperature very high
What is vital when assessing a child with diarrhoea?
Assessing their hydration status
If a child is systemically unwell with diarrhoea, what would you consider?
UTI
RTI
Meningitis
What surgical causes can lead to acute diarrhoea?
Appendicitis
Volvulus
What other diagnoses would you consider if a child had acute diarrhoea?
CF
IBD
Overflow from constipation