Paediatric infections Flashcards
What is a UTI?
Infection anywhere from kidney to urethra
What are the clinical features of a UTI in babies < 3 months?
1) Fever
2) Vomiting
3) Lethargy
4) Irritability
5) Poor feeding (& fewer wet nappies)
6) Failure to thrive
7) Offensive and dark urine
What are the clinical features of a UTI in babies 3-12 months?
1) Fever
2) Vomiting
3) Poor feeding
4) Abdo pain
What are the clinical features of a UTI in children > 1 year old?
1) Urinary frequency
2) Dysuria
3) Abdominal pain
When does fever become less common in paediatric UTI?
Once > 1 year old
What two investigations are done to diagnose paediatric UTI?
1) Urine dip
2) Urine culture
What results diagnose paediatric UTI?
1) Positive leukocytes and nitrites on urine dip
2) Positive urine culture with appropriately collected urine (clean catch, non-contaminated collection pad/catheter sample/suprapubic aspirate)
What is first-line management for paediatric UTI?
Oral antibiotics (usually enough in most cases unless urosepsis is suspected)
How is antibiotic choice guided in paediatric UTI?
1) Latest urine culture sensitivities (if available)
2) Local guidelines
3) Patient’s allergy status
4) Pregnancy test result in girls of reproductive age to avoid teratogenic antibiotics
Which antibiotic are lower paediatric UTIs usually treated with?
Nitrofurantoin
Which antibiotic are upper paediatric UTIs usually treated with?
A cephalosporin e.g. cefalexin
What follow-up imaging can be done in paediatric UTI?
1) US scan - to identify structural abnormalities (does not need to be done acutely unless atypical UTI)
2) Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy scan - checks for scarring, should not be done until at least 4 months after UTI
3) Micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) - assess abnormal bladder function
What are the features of an atypical UTI?
1) Poor urine flow
2) Abdominal or bladder mass
3) Raised creatinine
4) Septicaemia
5) Failure to respond to treatment with suitable antibiotics within 48h
6) Infection with non-E coli organisms
When do children with UTIs need follow-up?
If they need follow-up imaging - if not they do not need routine GP or paediatric follow-up
When should children with UTIs be referred to secondary care for further investigation?
Recurrent UTIs esp. babies with faltering growth (may be given prophylactic abx)
What are the potential complications of paediatric UTI?
1) Renal scarring and CKD
2) Sepsis
How should an infant < 3 months with a suspected UTI be managed?
Admission to hospital for IV abx and further investigations esp. if red flags for sepsis e.g. temp > 38, fewer wet nappies
What are the three classic symptoms of measles?
1) Fever > 40 degrees
2) Coryzal symptoms e.g. nonproductive cough, sneezing, irritable
3) Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
4) Followed by a erythematous maculopapular bumpy rash ~ 2-5 days after symptom onset - starts on face and behind ears before moving down the body to the trunk and limbs
What sign is pathognomonic for measles infection?
Koplik spots (white spots on buccal mucosa) - small grey discolourations of the mucosal membranes in the mouth (appear 1-3 days after symptoms begin during prodrome phase of infection)/small red spots with white centres
How soon after exposure to an infection individual do measles symptoms tend to develop?
10-14 days
How long do measles symptoms lasts?
7-10 days
What investigations are done in suspected measles infection?
1) Measles specific IgM and IgG serology (ELISA) - most sensitive 3-14 days after rash onset
2) Measles RNA detection by PCR - best for swabs taken 1-3 days after rash onset
What are three complications of measles?
1) Acute otitis media
2) Bronchopneumonia
3) Encephalitis
How is measles managed?
1) Supportive care incl. antipyrexial
2) Vitamin A in all children < 2
Which medication can reduce the duration of symptoms of measles but its use is not routinely recommended?
Ribavarin
Which age children do you give vitamin A to in measles?
< 2 years
Describe the rash in measles
Erythematous maculopapular (red and blotchy) e.g. on head, torso and limbs - rash involves limbs
What type of antibodies are tested for to diagnose rubella?
IgM (saliva)
What test can be useful for investigation bacterial meningitis?
Meningococcal PCR of CSF sample
Which pathogen causes whooping cough?
Bordetella pertussis
Describe the cough in whooping cough
Cough with characteristic whoop sound on inspiration
What conditions should be considered in an unvaccinated child?
MMR, diphtheria, whooping cough
What are three symptoms of diphtheria?
1) High fever
2) Sore throat
3) Respiratory distress
What is a characteristic sign of diphtheria?
Greyish exudate on the throat
How do you test for whooping cough?
Bortadella pernasal swab
How do you test for diphtheria?
Diphtheria throat swab
How is diagnosis of measles confirmed?
Measles IgM antibodies (blood or saliva)
What condition presents with a high fever and red rash with a rough texture?
Scarlet fever
What is the causative organism in scarlet fever?
Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus, most commonly Streptococcus pyogenes.
Which pathogens cause impetigo (skin infection)?
Staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria
How does impetigo present?
1) Pruritic rash with discrete patches that have a golden crusting e.g. on face, red and slightly weepy lesions - golden crusted skin lesions around mouth and nose (pustules and vesicles around mouth - lesions have crusted and appear golden)
2) Fever
3) Can occur as a primary infection or as a complication of an existing skin condition e.g. eczema
4) Patient can be otherwise well
In which age group does impetigo present?
Infants and school-age children
How is impetigo managed?
Primary care
1) Hydrogen peroxide 1% cream/topical fusidic acid if localised disease
2) Oral flucloxacillin (second line = macrolides e.g. clarithromycin)
3) Highly infectious - patients should not share towels and should not attend school or work until 48h of abx
What is the most common cause of impetigo?
Staph aureus