Paediatrics Flashcards
What is pyloric stenosis
Hypertrophy (thickening) and therefore narrowing of the pylorus is called pyloric stenosis.
Epidemiology of pyloric stenosis
M>F
more common in caucasian
Often family history
first borns more commonly affected
O/E pyloric stenosis
malnourished and dehydrated
depressed fontanelle
observing the abdomen a wave of gastric peristalsis may be seen
firm, round mass can be felt in RUQ like an olive
CBG in pyloric stenosis
hypochloric (low chloride) metabolic alkalosis as the baby is vomiting the hydrochloric acid from the stomach. The kidneys will then exchange potassium to retain protons to attempt to compensate, leading to a hypokalaemia
Mx pyloric stenosis
correct any underlying metabolic abnormalities
may require 10-20ml/kg fluid boluses hypovolaemia
Oral feeding should be stopped and a NG tube passed and aspirated at 4 hourly intervals
Blood gases and U+E’s should be checked regularly
treatment of pyloric stenosis
laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (known as “Ramstedt’s operation“)
Causes of Intestinal Obstruction
Meconium ileus
Hirschsprung’s disease
Oesophageal atresia
Duodenal atresia
Intussusception
Imperforate anus
Malrotation of the intestines with a volvulus
Strangulated hernia
Ventricular septal defect features
commonly associated with Down’s Syndrome and Turner’s Syndrome.
pan-systolic murmur more prominently heard at the left lower sternal border in the third and fourth intercostal spaces. There may be a systolic thrill on palpation.
increased risk of infective endocarditis
Causes of asymmetrical IUGR
Placental insufficiency
Pre-eclampsia
Toxins: smoking, heroin
Chromosomal and congenital abnormalities
Causes of symmetrical IUGR
Idiopathic
Incorrect dating
Infections: CMV, parvovirus, rubella, syphillis, toxoplasmosis
Malnutrition
Chromosomal and congenital abnormalities
Toxins: alcohol (FAS), cigarettes, heroin
Risk Factors SIDS
Prematurity
Low birth weight
Smoking during pregnancy
Parental smoking
Male baby (only slightly increased risk)
Co sleeping with adult
Sleeping on soft surface
Sleeping on stomach/front
Minimising risk of SIDS
Put the baby on their back when not directly supervised
Keep their head uncovered
Place their feet at the foot of the bed
Keep the cot clear
Maintain a comfortable room temperature (16 – 20 ºC)
Avoid smoking
Avoid co-sleeping
How does ductus arterioles close
Prostaglandins required to keep the ductus arteriosus open.
Increased blood oxygenation causes a drop in circulating prostaglandins. This causes closure of the ductus arteriosus, which becomes the ligamentum arteriosum.
How does ductus venous close
After birth the ductus venosus stops functioning because the umbilical cord is clamped and there is no blood flow in the umbilical veins.
The ductus venosus structurally closes a few days later and becomes the ligamentum venosum.
How does foramen ovale close
Adrenaline and cortisol are released in the stress of labour, stimulating respiratory effort.
The first breaths the baby takes expands the alveoli, decreasing the pulmonary vascular resistance.
This causes a fall in pressure in the right atrium.
So the left atrial pressure is greater than the right atrial pressure, which squashes the atrial septum and causes functional closure of the foramen ovale.
This closes and becomes the fossa ovalis.
Blood spot card ( Guthrie/heelprick test) tests for
My Mum Said Happy Children Get Infinite amount of Chocolate Pancakes
○ Maple Syrup Disease
○ Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
○ Sickle cell disease
○ Homocystinuria
○ Congenital hypothyroidism
○ Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1)
○ Isovaleric acidaemia
○ Cystic fibrosis
○ Phenylketonuria
What is
Klinefelter syndrome
male has an additional X chromosome.appear as normal males until puberty.
XXY
What is Marfan syndrome
autosomal dominant condition affecting the gene responsible for creating fibrillin (component of connective tissues)
What is Fragile X syndrome
caused by mutation in the FMR1 on X chromosome
presents with a delay in speech and language development,macrodactyly, macro-orchidism, long face and large ears.
What is Prader-Willi Syndrome
loss of functional genes on the proximal arm of the chromosome 15 inherited from the father.
Causes Constant insatiable hunger that leads to obesity
Down syndrome additional tests
FBC: to screen for myeloproliferative disorders (AML,ALL) and polycythaemia
ECHO - congenital heart disease
Red reflex testing: to screen for congenital cataracts
TFTs: to screen for congenital thyroid disease
Hearing assessment: to screen for congenital hearing issues
Radiographic swallowing assessment: performed if feeding difficulties are present to screen for gastrointestinal abnormalities (e.g. duodenal atresia)
What is Hirschprung’s disease
nerves that control muscles involved in peristalsis to push faeces through ot the rectum are missing from part of the bowel
symptoms of Hirschprung’s disease
constipation, which cannot be treated using laxatives or softeners
meconium plug
swollen abdomen
vomit green bile
Diagnosis Hirschprung’s disease
suggested on x-rays
rectal biopsy - lack of ganglion cells
Management Hirschprung’s disease
bowel washouts and surgery - pull through operation to remove affected part of bowel
What is Oesophageal atresia
The upper part of the oesophagus doesn’t connect with the lower oesophagus and stomach
Pathophysiology of inguinal hernia
the testicles develop inside the abdomen. Towards the end of pregnancy, each testicle creates a passage (processus vaginalis) as it travels into the scrotum.
If this passage fails to close and is quite wide, the abdominal lining and sometimes bowel can bulge through it
What is a hydrocele
produced by fluid in the sac which normally surrounds the testicle. It often presents as painless swelling in the scrotum. especially premature infants.
complications of undescended testes
Impaired fertility
Testicular cancer
Torsion
Absence of the fundal reflex in children can be due to
congenital cataracts
retinal detachment
vitreous haemorrhage
retinoblastoma.
Prolonged jaundice
More than 14 days in full term babies ( 2 weeks)
More than 21 days in premature babies ( 3 weeks)
What is kernicterus
brain damage caused by excessive bilirubin levels
ess responsive, floppy, drowsy baby with poor feeding. The damage is permanent, causing cerebral palsy, learning disability
What is biliary atresia
congenital condition , section of the bile duct is either narrowed or absent. results in cholestasis, bile cannot be transported from the liver to the bowel. prevents the excretion of conjugated bilirubin.
presents with prolonged conjugated jaundice, pale stools and dark urine.
treated with a portoenterostomy (Kasai procedure)/ liver transplant
What is phototherapy
converts unconjugated bilirubin into isomers that can be excreted in the bile and urine without requiring conjugation in the liver.
Cardiac defect seen with trisomy 21
Atrio ventricular septal defect
Atrial Septal Defect features
mid-systolic
crescendo-decrescendo loudest at the upper left sternal border
fixed split second heart sound
Eisenmenger syndrome.
pulmonary pressure is greater than the systemic pressure, the shunt reverses and forms a right to left shunt across the defect, blood bypasses the lungs and the patient becomes cyanotic
polycythaemia as a result
nly definitive treatment is a heart-lung transplant,
Ventricular septal defect features
commonly associated with Down’s Syndrome and Turner’s Syndrome
pan-systolic murmur more prominently heard at the left lower sternal border in the third and fourth intercostal spaces.
may be a systolic thrill on palpation
increased risk of infective endocarditis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
ductus arteriosus remains patent after 4 weeks of life.
Connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aort
patent ductus arteriosus features
continuous crescendo-decrescendo “machinery” murmur that may continue during the second heart sound
Left subclavicular thrill
Large volume, bounding, collapsing pulse
Wide pulse pressure
PDA does not cause cyanosis.
Mx patent ductus arterioles
NSAIDs, these inhibit prostaglandin synthesis which normally help maintain ductal patency
surgical ligation
Right to left shunts
Tetralogy of Fallot
Transposition of the great arteries.
Tricuspid atresia
Eisenmenger syndrome
Tetralogy of fallot
Ventricular septal defect
Overriding aorta
Pulmonary valve stenosis
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Pulmonary stenosis features
ejection systolic murmur loudest at the pulmonary area (second intercostal space, left sternal border).
Tet Spells
intermittent symptomatic periods where the right to left shunt becomes temporarily worsened, precipitating a cyanotic episode.
exercise generates co2, vasodilator, causes systemic vasodilation and therefore reduces the systemic vascular resistance,blood will be pumped from the right ventricle to the aorta rather than the pulmonary vessels, bypassing the lungs.
tet spell tx
Squatting increases the systemic vascular resistance. Help increase venous return . This encourages blood to enter the pulmonary vessels. Helps to push blood flow from L→ R
o2 if hypoxic
Beta blockers can relax the right ventricle and improve flow to the pulmonary vessels.
IV fluids can increase pre-load
Tetraollgy of allot Ix
ECHO and chest xray may show the characteristic “boot shaped” heart due to right ventricular thickening.
Tetralogy of fallot mx
In neonates, a prostaglandin infusion can be used to maintain the ductus arteriosus. This allows blood to flow from the aorta back to the pulmonary arteries.
Total surgical repair by open heart surgery is the definitive treatment
Epidemiology transposition of great arteries
most likely cyanotic heart defect to presents soon after birth in the newborn
M>F
Clinical Presentation transposition of great arteries
often diagnosed during pregnancy with antenatal ultrasound scans
cyanosis at or within a few days of birth.
within a few weeks of life they will develop respiratory distress, tachycardia, poor feeding, poor weight gain and sweating (symptoms of Congestive HF)
Saturations won’t rise much despite giving oxygen
loud single S2
Prominent right ventricular heave
Mx transposition great arteries
prostaglandin infusion can be used to maintain the ductus arteriosus. This allow blood from the aorta to flow to the pulmonary arteries for oxygenation.
Balloon septostomy involves inserting a catheter into the foramen ovale via the umbilicus, and inflating a balloon to create a large atrial septal defect. This allows blood returning from the lungs (on the left side) to flow to the right side of the heart and out through the aorta to the body.
Open heart surgery is the definitive management
What is coarctation of aorta
narrowing of the aortic arch, usually around the ductus arteriosus. often associated with Turners syndrome.
Coarctation of aorta features
weak femoral pulses
systolic murmur heard below the left clavicle
Left ventricular heave due to left ventricular hypertrophy
Mx coarction
Prostaglandin E is used keep the ductus arteriosus open while waiting for surgery. This allows some blood flow flow through the ductus arteriosus into the systemic circulation distal to the coarctation. Surgery is then performed to correct the coarctation and to ligate the ductus arteriosus. Angioplasty +/- stent with interventional radiology
What is Ebstein anomaly
tricuspid valve is set lower in the right side of the heart (towards the apex), causing a bigger right atrium and a smaller right ventricle.
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) features
Purpura (100%),
Joint pain (75%),
Abdominal pain (50%)
Renal involvement (50%)
Kawasaki disease features
Fever last 5 or more days without any other cause
Plus at least 4 out of the following :
Bilateral non-purulent conjunctivitis
Polymorphous rash
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Peripheral peeling / oedema / erythema
Oral mucous membrane changes( eg Strawberry tongue)
CRASH and Burn:
Conjunctivitis
Rash
Adenopathy
Strawberry tongue
Hands and feet redness/peeling
Burn = fever > 5 days
CRASH has 5 letters, hence the 5 day fever
treatment of Kawasaki disease
Typically self limiting after 12 days BUT cardiac complications mean treatment required
High dose aspirin to reduce the risk of thrombosis
IV immunoglobulins to reduce the risk of coronary artery aneurysms
Reye’s syndrome.
•Rare
•Usually occurs in children between 5 and 14 years of age
•Acute encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the liver
•Usually follows viral illness, with rapid deterioration
•Overall mortality rate ~ 20%
•Associated with use of aspirin
Red flags for constipation
Reported from birth
Failure to pas meconium ( CF/hirschsprung)
Ribbon stools (anal stenosis)
Abdo distension without vomiting
Neurological signs/symptoms
Vomiting (intestinal obstruction or Hirschsprung’s disease)
Abnormal appearance anus/lower back/lower limbs
Failure to thrive (coeliac disease, hypothyroidism or safeguarding)
Acute severe abdominal pain and bloating (obstruction or intussusception)
Treatment for volvulus
Ladd’s procedure.
straighten out the twisted bowel and check it for any unhealthy areas.
child’s appendix will also likely be taken out at this time.
What is paediatric volvulus
caused by malrotation, bowel does not coil up in the correct position, causes the small intestine to twist around the superior mesenteric artery
What is necrotising entercolitis
disorder affecting premature neonates, where part of the bowel becomes necrotic.
presents with bilious vomiting and rectal bleeding.
Clinical Presentation NEC
Intolerance to feeds
Vomiting, particularly with green bile
Generally unwell
Distended, tender abdomen
Absent bowel sounds
Blood in stools
Mx NEC
NBM
IV fluids
TPN
Abx
NG tube can be inserted to drain fluid and gas from the stomach and intestines.
surgical emergency
Intussusception epidemiology
3 months to 3 years
M>F
Intussusception features
viral upper respiratory tract infection preceding the illness and will have features of intestinal obstruction
Vomiting, abdominal pain and Redcurrant jelly stool (mucous on blood)
O/E Intussusception
RUQ mass on palpation
“sausage-shaped”
USS positive in >95%.
Target sign
Mx Intussusception
Resuscitation
radiological air reduction
Therapeutic enemas
Surgical reduction may be necessary if enemas do not work.
Meckel diverticulum
occurs in 2% of the population
2% are symptomatic
mostly in children < 2 years
affects males twice as often as females
is located 2 feet proximal to the ileocecal valve,
is ≤ 2 inches long
Precocious puberty
child’s body begins changing into that of an adult (puberty) too soon. When puberty begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys
Turner syndrome features
female has a single X chromosome or a deletion of the short arm of one of the X chromosomes
Short stature
Webbed neck
widely spaced nipples
Perthes disease definition
disruption of blood flow to the femoral head, causing avascular necrosis of the bone. This affects the epiphysis of the femur
also called Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.