Paediatric History Taking and Management 2 Flashcards
What is Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)?
arthritis occurring in someone who is less than 16 years old that lasts for more than 6 weeks
Systemic onset JIA is also known as Still’s disease
How does Still’s disease (systemic JIA) present?
pyrexia
salmon-pink rash
lymphadenopathy
arthritis
uveitis
anorexia and weight loss
How can Still’s disease be investigated?
ANA may be positive, RF usually negative
Spot diagnosis:
Medial knee pain due to lateral subluxation of the patella
Knee may give way
Patellar sublaxation
Spot diagnosis:
Knee pain after exercise
Intermittent swelling and locking
Osteochondritis dissecans
Differentials for a limping child?
Trauma
Transient synovitis:
Acute onset, accompanies viral infections, but the child is well or has a mild fever
Mostly in boys aged 2-12 years
Septic arthritis/osteomyelitis
Unwell child, high fever
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Limp may be painless
Development dysplasia of the hip
diagnosed as neonate, more common in girls
Perthes disease
More common at 4-8 years, due to AVN of the femoral head
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
10-15 years - Displacement of the femoral head epiphysis postero-inferiorly
Spot diagnosis:
More common in athletic teenage boys
Chronic anterior knee pain that worsens after running
Tender below the patella on examination
Patellar tendonitis
What is Meckel’s diverticulum?
a congenital diverticulum of the small intestine
Rule of 2s
occurs in 2% of the population
is 2 feet from the ileocaecal valve
is 2 inches long
How should Meckel’s diverticulum be investigated and managed?
Ix: Meckel’s scan (technetium scan)
mesenteric arteriography may also be used in more severe cases e.g. transfusion is require
Mx: removal if narrow neck or symptomatic
How does Meckel’s diverticulum present?
abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis
rectal bleeding
intestinal obstruction
- secondary to an omphalomesenteric band (most commonly)
What is the most likely causative agent of a bacterial pneumonia in children?
What are the other causes?
streptococcus pneumoniae
Group A strep (e.g. Streptococcus pyogenes)
Group B strep: often contracted during birth as it often colonises the vagina
Staphylococcus aureus: typical chest xray findings of pneumatocoeles (round air filled cavities) and consolidations in multiple lobes
Haemophilus influenza : particularly affects pre-vaccinated or unvaccinated children
Mycoplasma pneumonia: atypical bacteria with extra-pulmonary manifestations (e.g. erythema multiforme)
What are the viral causes of pneumonia in kids?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral cause
Parainfluenza virus
Influenza virus
How should pneumonia be managed in children?
Amoxicillin is first-line
Macrolides (e.g. erythromycin) may be added if there is no response to first line therapy / if mycoplasma or chlamydia is suspected
pneumonia associated with influenza =co-amoxiclav
How can you investigate children with recurrent LRTIs?
FBC- WCC
Serum immunoglobulins
Test IgG to previous vaccines (i.e. pneumococcus and haemophilus) -some patients are unable to convert IgM to IgG, and therefore cannot form long term immunity
Sweat test for CF
HIV test
CXR to screen for any structural abnormality in the chest or scarring from the infections
What is episodic viral wheeze? How should it be managed?
only wheezes when has a viral URTI and is symptom free inbetween episodes
Mx:
first-line is treatment with SABA (e.g. salbutamol) or anticholinergic via a spacer
next step is intermittent leukotriene receptor antagonist (montelukast), intermittent ICS, or both
What is multiple trigger wheeze? How should it be managed?
as well as viral URTIs, other factors appear to trigger the wheeze such as exercise, allergens and cigarette smoke
Mx: trial of either ICS or a leukotriene receptor antagonist (montelukast), typically for 4-8 weeks
parents should stop smoking
Pyloric stenosis is caused by hypertrophy of the circular muscles of the pylorus. What features does it present with?
‘projectile’ vomiting, typically 30 minutes after a feed
constipation and dehydration may also be present
a palpable mass may be present in the upper abdomen
hypochloraemic, hypokalaemic alkalosis due to persistent vomiting
What is a reflex anoxic seizure?
a syncopal episode (or presyncope) that occurs in response to pain or emotional stimuli, occurs in children aged 6months - 3 years
Typical features
child goes very pale
falls to floor
rapid recovery