Paediatric Resp + Cardio

Question 1

Describe a classic presentation of croup

Answer 1

stridor (INSPIRATORY -normally high pitched sound)

barking cough

hoarse cry/voice

may have coryza preceeding

in children 6 months - 3 years, with slow onset, no/lowgrade fever

Question 2

what are the other ddx for croup?

what questions should you always ask to rule out one of them?

Answer 2

EPIGLOTTITIS -
are they up to date with vaccines? as this is caused by Hib normally
do they have a fever? normally high with this, not with croup

tracheitis
foreign body
anaphylaxis
laryngomalacia

Question 3

management of croup?

Answer 3

0.15 mg/kg dose of oral dexamethasone (an oral corticosteroid) is the first line treatment in croup.

A 2 mg nebulised dose of budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid) is suggested as an alternative if the child is too unwell to receive the oral medication.

+oxygen? if sats are low

Question 4

whats the most common cause of croup?

Answer 4

parainfluenza virus

Question 5

whats the most common cause of bronchiolitis?

Answer 5

RSV - respiratory syncytial virus

Question 6

what is bronchiolitis?

Answer 6

viral infection of the lungs in babies up til the age of around 1-1.5 yo