Paediatrics Flashcards
Give 7 signs of respiratory distress
Increased work of breathing
Tachypnea (>60/min)
Nasal flaring
Intercostal recessions
Tracheal tug
Cyanosis (Central>peripheral)
Grunting
Name 4 causative pathogens for viral induced wheeze
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Rhinovirus (HRV)
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV)
Influenza
What virus is responsible for the common cold?
Rhinovirus (HRV)
(Small-sized positive strand RNA virus)
Atopy is related to a deficiency in what cytokine?
Interferon B
What is the treatment for an acute episode of viral induced wheeze (mild-moderate)
Oxygen
Bronchodilator; Salbutamol +/- Spacer
What treatment should be considered in an asthmatic experiencing an episode of viral induced wheeze
Oral Prednisolone (inhaled steroid)
What treatment is considered for patients experiencing severe, recurrent attacks of wheezing (viral induced wheeze) (2 options)
Low dose inhaled corticosteroid
or
Leukotriene receptor antagonist-montelukast
What is the 1st and 2nd line treatment for bacterial infection causing wheeze?
1st line - Amoxicillin
2nd Line - Doxycycline (if amoxicillin isn’t tolerated/is contraindicated)
List indications for seeking medical attention in an episode of viral induced wheeze (8 options)
If child requires salbutamol inhaler >2 times/week
Night time coughing
Increased breathing rate
Episodes of apnea
Signs of increased breathing effort
Reduced feeding (<50% normal feeds) /features of dehydration (dry mouth/infrequent passage of urine)
Becomes less responsive
Persistent/worsening fever
Give 3 pieces of self care advice for patients with viral induced wheeze
Paracetamol +/- Ibuprofen for fever
Regular fluids
If wheeze returns, start regular salbutamol via spacer and refer to viral wheeze action plan
List 5 DDx for viral induced wheeze
Asthma
Bronchiolitis
Inhaled foreign body
Cystic fibrosis
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
What treatment should be given for the acute episode of viral induced wheeze? (severe-life threatening)
Oxygen
Bronchodilator; Salbutamol +/- spacer
Ipratropium bromide
Oral Steroids; Prednisolone (1mg/kg)
Define episodic viral wheeze
Wheezing that occurs during discrete time periods, often in association with clinical evidence of a viral upper respiratory infection, with the absence of wheeze between episodes.
Define multi-trigger wheeze
Describes discrete exacerbations of wheezing but there are also symptoms between episodes, e.g in response to allergens, emotions or activity.
List 5 risk factors for viral induced wheeze
Prematurity
Exposure to smoking
Bronchiolitis
Increased exposure to viruses (when younger)
Smaller airway anatomy (Poiseuille’s law)
What tool is used to predict asthma in children? (List the major and minor predictive factors)
Asthma Predictive Index (API)
One major decisive factors;
- Parents with asthma
- Physician diagnosis of eczema
- Sensitivities to air allergens (positive RASTS or Skin-prick tests)
Or
Two minor decisive factors;
- Food allergies
- More than 4% blood eosinophils
- Wheezing apart from colds
What pattern of inheritance is seen in Cystic Fibrosis?
Autosomal Recessive Disorder
Cystic fibrosis occurs secondary to a defect in which gene and protein channel?
CFTR gene and cAMP regulated chloride channel
Describe the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis
CFTR Gene Defect > Defective ion transport > Airway surface liquid depletion > Defective mucocilary clearance > mucus obstruction.
Mucus obstruction increases propensity to infection and inflammation in positive feedback loop.
Where is the genetic defect in cystic fibrosis?
Delta F508 on the long arm of chromosome 7
Name 3 organisms that commonly colonise cystic fibrosis patients
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Aspergillus
What is a feature is suggestive of cystic fibrosis in neonates (1)
Failure to pass meconium (meconium ileus)
Occurs due to thickening of meconium.
List features of cystic fibrosis in children (6)
Failure to thrive, short stature, delayed puberty
Big appetite
Malabrospiton +/- steatorrhoea
Chronic Wet/Productive Cough
Recurrent lower airway infections
Chronic sinusitis +/- nasal polyps
List some complications of cystic fibrosis (5)
Nasal polyps
Male infertility
Diabetes mellitus
Rectal prolapse (in children)
Pseudo Bartter syndrome