Paediatrics Flashcards
Define acute epiglottitis
Rapidly progressing infection causing inflammation to epiglottis. Paediatric emergency as epiglottis can block upper airway
What are the causes of acute epiglottis?
Haemophilus influenza B virus
Rare now as many children are vaccinated, but always check
What is the presentation of acute epiglottitis in a child?
High fever, ill, toxic looking, intensely painful throat, difficulty swallowing or speaking, drooling down chin, soft inspiratory stridor, rapidly increasing resp rate, child sat immobile upright with open mouth
What is the management of acute epiglottitis?
- Secure airway, endotracheal intubation may be necessary
- Once airway secure, take cultures and examine throat
- Treat with IV antibiotics: cefuroxime
Aetiology of acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL)?
Malignant clonal disease that develops when a lymphoid progenitor cell becomes genetically altered through somatic changes and undergoes proliferation.
Leads to ALL, early lymphoid precursors replace normal haematopoietic cells of bone marrow
Who is affected by acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL)?
Children under 6 and adults over 80
What is the presentation of acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) in children?
Any child presenting to GP with bruising, enlarged lymph nodes, and systemic illness should be referred.
- Lymphadenopathy most common sign
- hepatosplenomegaly, pallor/petechiae, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness, epistaxis
How is acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) diagnosed?
Through bone marrow biopsy
What are some triggers for an acute asthma exacerbation?
(paeds)
Exposure to allergens such as dust, pollution, animal hair or smoke
What is the pathophysiology behind an acute asthma exacerbation?
(paeds)
Exposure to allergen triggers an IgE type 1 hypersensitivity reaction, leading to smooth muscle contraction, bronchial oedema and mucus plugging
Presentation of an acute asthma attack?
(paeds)
- fast onset breathlessness
- wheeze; may be audible bedside or if not should be bilaterally on auscultation
- possible subjective chest tightness
What are some signs of an acute severe asthma attack?
(paeds)
- Respiratory distress (resp rate >30/min in children over 5, unable to complete sentence)
- Tachycardia (>125bpm in children over 5)
- peak expiratory flow rte 33-50% of predicted
What are some lifethreatening features of a severe asthma attack in a child?
- peak expiratory flow rate <33% of predicted
- oxygen sats <92%
- silent chest on auscultation
- weak or no respiratory effort
- hypotension
- exhaustion
- confusion
What are the differentials for an asthma attack in children?
- pneumothorax
- anaphylaxis
- inhalation of foreign body
- cardiac arrhythmia
Management of an acute exacerbation of asthma in a child
Stepwise approach:
1. Inhaled slabutamol
2. nebulised salbutamol
3. add nebulised ipratropium bromide
4. if O2 sats<92% add magnesium sulfate
5. oral or intravenous steroids
6. add intravenous salbutamol if no response to inhaled therapy
7. if severe or life threatening not responsive to inhaled therapy add aminophylline
O2 sats should be maintained between 94-98% with high flow oxygen if necessary
What is the definition of an atrial septal defect?
Relatively common cardiac malformation where there is a hole between the left and right atria (caused by a defect in the septum secundum during development)
Pathophysiology of atrial septal defect
hole - causes flow from higher pressured left atrium into lower pressured right atrium.
low pitched diastolic rumble in tricuspid area (lower left sternal border), flow murmur over pulmonary valve.
ejection murmur sternal edge
Presentation of an atrial septal defect
May be aysymptomatic or present with late onset cyanosis or even heart failure
How is an atrial septal defect diagnosed?
Echocardiogram
Management of an atrial septal defect
depends on severity
most managed conservatively
some require surgery
routine echocardiograms
Complications of an atrial septal defect
Heart failure - later on in life (20’s+30’s)
paradoxical embolisms
What is the aeitiology of ADHD?
associated with reduced activity in the frontal lobe causing in problems in executive functioning
impairs ability to focus on different tasks and inhibit impulsive behaviours
Management of ADHD
Conservative: behavioural techniques, extra support in school
Medical: stimulant medication (methylphenidate)
What is autistic spectrum disorders?
characterised by a spectrum of social, language and behavioural deficits
Socially, children with autism don’t enjoy or seek comfort from company with other people and aren’t able to imagine the persepctive of other people
Presentation of autistic spectrum disorders (most severe cases)
- not able to understand that other people have thoughts and feelings, prefer to play alone and avoids eye contact
- speech and language delay, monotonous tones of voice, limited expression and problems. Intepret speech literally
- narrow interests, ritualistic behaviours that rely heavily on routine and sterotyped movements
- commonly associated with learning difficulties
- about 25% children with autism may also have seizures
Management of autistic spectrum disorders
MDT approach
Applied behavioural analysis, positive behaviours encouraged, negative behaviours ignored
What is bacterial tracheitis
Rare, but dangerous
Presents similar to croup
Presents: high fever and rapidly progressive airway obstruction with copious thick airway secretions
Cause of bacterial tracheitis
Most common: staphylococcus aureus typically following upper resp tract infection
Management of bacterial tracheitis
IV antibiotics
some cases require intubation
Causes of constipation in children?
- low fibre diet
- dislike of using toilet
- pain on passing stool; secondary to anal fissure or very hard stool
- not regonising sensation of needing to pass stool
How is chronic constipation diagnosis made in children?
history and palpation of impacted faeces (hard, depressible masses) on abdo exam
Management of constipation in children
1st; movicol disimpaction regimen
followed by maintainence movicol, alongside high fibre diet and advice about encouraging good toilet habits
Presentation of Hirchsprung’s disease?
delay in passing meconium (>48hrs)
distended abdomen
forceful evacuation of meconium after digital rectal examination
How is Hirchsprung’s disease diagnosed?
confirmed by rectal suction biopsy
Management of Hirchsprung’s disease?
through removal of section of aganglionic colon and health bowel is pulled through
Definition of ventricular septal defect
birth defect of heart - hole in wall (septum) that separates ventricles of the heart
Presentation of a ventricular septal defect
pan-systolic murmur heard on auscultation
large - sob on exertion, maybe poor weight gain
Diagnosis of ventricular septal defect
Echocardiogram
chest xrays and ecg useful too but not diagnostic
management of ventricular septal defect
many self resolve, managed conservatively with increased calorie intake and observation
those which don’t resolve or cause heart failure - catheter intervention
Definition of jaundice
eyes and skin turn yellow due to build up of bilirubin.
Causes of neonatal jaundice <24hrs
ALWAYS PATHOLOGICAL <24hrs!
- haemolytic disorders; rhesus incompatibity, ABO incompatibility, G6PD, spherocytosis
- congenital infection (TORCH screen indicated)
- sepsis
causes of neonatal jaundice 24hrs - 14 days
- physiological jaundice
- breast milk jaundice
- dehydration
- infection, including sepsis
- haemolysis
- bruising
- polycythaemia
- crigler-najjar syndrome
Causes of neonatal jaundice >14days (>21 if preterm)
- physiological
- breast milk
- infection
- hypothyroidism
- biliary obstruction (incl biliary atresia)
- neonatal hepatitis
What causes physiological neonatal jaundice?
elevated bilirubin due to:
- babies being relatively polycythaemic at birth
- red cell life span of newborns shorter than adults
- hepatic bilirubin metabolism less efficient in 1st few days of life
Management of neonatal jaundice
bilirubin levels should be measured and plotted on nomograms
pts may need phototherapy or an exchange transfusion
Complications of jaundice
kernicterus is rare but serious; caused by excess bilirubin damaging the brain (esp basal ganglia)
What is cystic fibrosis (CF)?
progressive, autosomal recessive disorder that causes persistent lung infections and limits ability to breathe over time
Causes of CF?
mutations of CFTR protein
Most common mutation affecting delta-F508 results in abnormal glycosylation and subsequent degradation of CFTR protein
defects of chloride transport across cell membranes cause mucous secretions to be very thick
Respiratory complications of CF
thick mucus in lungs; cough, recurrent infections, bronchiectasis
sinusitis and nasal polys common. Pts usually colonised with pseudomonas in lung by age of 20
Digestive system complications for CF
reduced pancreatic lipase enzyme secretion inhibits fat absorption, causing steatorrhoea
poor fat absorption consequently contributes deficiency of fat soluble vits (ADEK)
poor weight gain
damage to pancreas - diabetes
reproductive complications of CF
seminiferous tubes blocked; men with CF unable conceive naturally
fertility in women lower than average; thicker cervical mucus
Presentation of CF in neonate
meconium ileus
delay passing meconium and GI obstruction
meconium ileus dx and treated with a gastrograffin enema
presentation of CF in infants
baby’s sweat very salty - parents describe
faltering growth
recurrent chest infections
presentation of CF in toddlers
faltering growth
recurrent chest infections
malabsorption syndromes
presentation of CF in older children
faltering growth
recurrent chest infections
malabsorption syndromes
delayed onset puberty
Diagnosis of CF
sweat test
- also screen for on neonatal blood spot test in 1st few days of life; raised blood immunoreactive trypsinogen.
management of CF
MDT management
daily chest phsyiotherapy techniques to help clear mucus and prevent pneumonias
prophylactic antibiotics, bronchidilators, medicines to thin secretions (dornase alfa)
pancreatic enzymes replacement (creon) and fat soluble vits (ADEK) also useful
vaccines; influenza, pneumococcal
end stage; bilateral lung transplant
Definition of meconium ileus
baby’s first stool (meconium) is so thick and sticky that is causes intestinal obstruction
90% of meconium ileus is associated with CF. T/F?
True
Presentation of meconium ileus
no meconium passed within 48hrs from birth
signs of intestinal obstruction
diagnosis of meconium ileus
abdo xray - shows ‘bubbly’ appearance of intestine with lack of air fluid levels
management of meconium ileus
IV fluids and stomach drainage with an Ryles tube
enemas
surgery in severe cases
aetiology of neonatal resp distress syndrome (NRDS)
lack of surfactant (phospholipid containing fluid produced by type 2 pneumocytes)
lack of surfactant increases surface tension and causes alveoli to collapse, triggering resp distress
prem babies are more at risk of NRDS
diagnose of Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS)
clinical evaluation
‘ground glass’ appearance seen on chest xray
management of Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS)
intratracheal instillation of artificial surfactant
premterm delivery expected - give mother glucocorticoids before delivery increases surfactant production in baby
complications of Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS)
preterm mortality
What is pyloric stenosis?
hypertrophy of pyloric sphincter
What age does pyloric stenosis usually occur?
babies aged 6-8 weeks old
presentation of pyloric stenosis
vomiting after feeds (can be projectile - hitting walls)
may increase with intensity as obstruction becomes more severe
o/e palpable as smooth olive size mass
complications of pyloric stenosis
acid base abnormality due to vomiting of hypocholoremic hypokalaemia metabolic acidosis
dehydration
diagnosis of pyloric stenosis
abdo ultrasound
management of pyloric stenosis
surgical - pyloromyotomy
until surgery, baby should be nil by mouth and kept on IV fluids
severely dehydrated babies may require acute fluid resus
Whats hydrocephalus in paeds?
result of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulating in brains ventricular system
puts pressure on brain parenchyma
causes of non-communicating hydrocephalus (paeds)
something obstructs flow through ventricular system: congenital malformation (stenosis of aqueduct or a chiari malformation), tumour or vascular malformation in posterior fossa, intraventricular haemorrhage (prem babies at risk)
causes of communicating hydrocephalus (paeds)
failure to reabsorb CSF occurs from an insult to arachnoid villi
meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage
presentation of hydrocephalus (paeds)
enlarged head circumference
bulging of anterior fontanelle, distension of veins across scalp
late sign - sunsetting of eyes, upwards gaze limited
diagnosis of hydrocephalus (paeds)
cranial ultrasound or by MRI/CT
management of hydrocephalus (paeds)
insertion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt
complications of hydrocephalus (paeds)
raised intracranial pressure - lead to long term neurological deficits
Which bacteria is meningococcal infection caused by
caused by Neiseria meningitidis (gram neg intracellular diplococcus)
Causes of meningococcal infection
transmission by resp droplet spread
bacteria enters circulation, initiating inflammatory process leading to capillary leakage and intravascular thrombosis
presentation of meningococcal infection
meningococcaemia (septicaemia)
meningitis (lethargy, headache, fever, rigors, vomiting)
mixture of both, developing purpuric skin rash
hypovolaemic shock presents as; cold peripheries, poor cap refill, tachycardia, decreased urine output
Waterhouse-Friderichsen sydrome (rare): massive adrenal haemorrhage, septic shock
diagnosis of meningococcal infection
confirmed by blood or CSF cultures
PCR for Neisseria meningitidis highly sensitive
management of meningococcal infection
ealry abx - broad spectrum IV until pathogen confirmed
PICU admission if septic
notifiable diseases
Prevention of meningococcal infection
all household or close contacts should receive ciprofloxcin or rifampicin as post exposure prophylaxis
Other names of parvovirus B19
- fifth disease
- slapped cheek syndrome
- erythema infectiosum
Presentation of parvovirus B19
prodrome of fever, coryza, diarrhoea
diffuse ‘lace like’ rash across body with characteristic bright red rash on cheeks
complications of parvovirus B19
red cell aplasia
severe foetal anaemia
cardiomyopathy
What is DKA?
diabetic ketoacidosis. Medical emergency. Hyperglycaemia, acidosis, and ketonaemia,
What are the specific values in DKA to make tbe diagnosis?
ketonaemia: 3mmol/L and over
Blood glucose: >11mmol/L
Bicarbonate: <15mmol/L or venous pH <7.3
Causes of DKA?
infection, dehydration, fasting, or 1st presentation of T1DM
Presentation of DKA
smell of acetone on breath (fruity breath)
vomiting
dehydration
abdopain
hyperventiliation
hypovalaemic shock
drowsiness
coma
Investigations for DKA
blood glucose (>11.1mmol/L)
Blood ketones (>3mmol/L)
urea and electrolytes
blood gas analysis
urinary glucose and ketones
blood cultures (if evidence of infection)
cardiac monitoring/ECG
Management of DKA
if pt alert, not sig dehydrated and able to tolerate oral intake without vomiting - encourage oral intake and give subcut insulin
if pt vomiting, confused, sig dehydrated - IV fluids (10ml/kg 0.9% NaCl, insulin infusion 0.1 units/kg). if evidence of shock, initial bolus should be 20ml/kg.
What is the major complication of DKA?
cerebral oedema
Where is best place on a neonate to check pulse?
femoral and bracheal
Neonate: baby is blue, not crying, floppy, some felxing of four limbs, HR 140bpm. What is APGAR?
3
What is whooping cough/pertussis?
Severe URTI characterised by severe bouts of spasmodic coughin, which may lead to apnoea in infants
What’s causes for whooping cough/pertussis?
Bordetella pertussis (gram neg coccobaciliis)
Presentation of whooping cough/pertussis
- cough with prolonged period of coughing per episode
- inspiratory whooping
- rhinorrhoea
- post-tussive vomiting
- apnoeas
Management of whooping cough/pertussis
macrolides 1st line ( erythromycin, azithromycin or clarithromycin)
notifiable disease
Investigation for whooping cough?
PCR is most sensitive
When would you suspect whooping cough?
In child who didn’t receive all vaccinations as a baby, and presents with coughing episodes followed by gasping for air
What is rubella caused by?
rubella togavirus
When are children normally vaccinated for Rubella?
As part of MMR vaccine which starts at 12months old
Presentation of rubella
non-specific symptoms: fever, coryza, arthralgia, rash (typically starts on face then moves down trunk, sparing arms and legs). and Lymphadenopathy (post-auricular).