Paediatrics Flashcards
What is the presentation of pneumonia?
Wet and productive cough
High fever
Tachypnoea
Tachycardia
Increased work of breathing
Lethargy
Delirium
What are the characteristic chest signs of pneumonia?
Bronchial breath sounds
Focal course crackles
Dullness to percussion
What is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in children?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Also:
Group A/B strep
Staphylococcus aureus
Haemophilus influenzae (pre-/unvaccinated)
What is the most common viral cause of pneumonia in children?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Also:
Parainfluenza
Influenza
What is the first line management of bacterial pneumonia in children?
Amoxicillin
Adding a macrolide (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin) will cover atypical pneumonia, or if penicillin allergy
What is the typical age for croup?
6 months to 2 years
What is the cause of croup?
Parainfluenza
Influenza
Adenovirus
RSV
Diphtheria (if unvaccinated)
What is the presentation of croup?
Barking cough
Increased work of breathing
Hoarseness
Stridor
Low grade fever
What is the management of mild croup?
Simple supportive management at home (fluids and rest)
Measures to avoid spread
What is the management of severe croup?
Oral dexamethasone
Oxygen
Nebulised budesonide
Nebulised adrenalin
Intubation and ventilation
Why is viral-induced wheeze more common in children?
Smaller airways
How can viral-induced wheeze be distinguished from asthma?
Presenting before 5 years of age
No atopic history
Only occurs during viral infection
What is the presentation of viral induced wheeze?
Evidence of viral illness (cough, fever)
Shortness of breath
Signs of respiratory disease
Expiratory wheeze throughout the chest
What does a focal wheeze suggest?
Foreign body or tumour
What is the presentation of an acute exacerbation of asthma?
Progressively worsening shortness of breath
Use of accessory muscles
Fast respiratory rate
Symmetrical expiratory wheeze
Reduced air entry
What is the grading system for acute asthma?
Moderate
PEFR = 50-75% predicted
Severe
PEFR 33-50% predicted
RR >25
HR>110
Unable to complete sentences
Life-threatening
PEFR<33%
Sats<92%
Tiredness
Silent chest
Signs of shock
What is the management of a moderate acute asthma exacerbation?
Nebulised beta-2 agonists (salbutamol as required)
Nebulised ipratropium bromide
Steroids
Antibiotics if suspected bacterial infection
What is the management of a severe acute asthma exacerbation?
Oxygen to maintain sats 94-98%
Aminophylline infusion
Consider IV salbutamol
What is the management of a life-threatening acute asthma exacerbation?
IV magnesium sulphate infusion
Admission to HDU/ICU
Intubation
What presentations suggest asthma?
Episodic symptoms
Diurnal variation
Dry cough, wheeze, shortness of breath
Typical triggers
PMH of other atopic conditions
Family history
Bilateral, widespread, polyphonic wheeze
Symptoms improve with bronchodilators
What are typical triggers of asthma?
Dust
Animals
Cold air
Exercise
Smoke
Food allergens
What is the asthma management protocol in children under 5?
- Short-acting beta-2 agonist (salbutamol) inhaler as required
- Add low dose corticosteroid inhaler or leukotriene antagonist (eg oral montelukast)
- Add the other option from step 2
- Refer to specialist
What is the asthma management protocol in children aged 5-12?
- Short-acting beta-2 agonist (salbutamol) inhaler as required
- Add low dose corticosteroid inhaler
- Add long-acting beta-2 agonist (salmeterol)
- Titrate corticosteroid to medium dose and consider adding oral montelukast or theophylline
- Increase corticosteroid to high dose
- Refer to specialist
What is the asthma management protocol in children over 12?
Same as adults
1. Short-acting beta-2 agonist (salbutamol) inhaler as required
2. Add low dose corticosteroid inhaler
3. Add long-acting beta-2 agonist (salmeterol)
4. Titrate corticosteroid to medium dose and consider adding oral montelukast, oral theophylline or inhaled LAMA (tiotropium)
5. Titrate corticosteroid to high dose and consider combining treatments from step 4, including oral salbutamol
6. Add oral steroids at lowest possible dose
What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis?
RSV
At what age can bronchiolitis be diagnosed?
Generally under 1
Most commonly under 6 months
Rarely up to 2 years old
What is the presentation of bronchiolitis?
Coryzal symptoms
Signs of respiratory distress
Dyspnoea
Tachypnoea
Poor feeding
Mild fever
Wheeze and crackles
What is the management of bronchiolitis?
Supportive
Manage at home
Give advice about when to seek further medical attention
What factors are reasons for admission with bronchiolitis?
Aged under 3 months
Pre-existing conditions (prematurity, Down’s, CF)
Dehydration
RR>70
O2<92%
Moderate to severe respiratory distress (deep recessions, head bobbing)
Apnoeas
What factors are reasons for admission with bronchiolitis?
Aged under 3 months
Pre-existing conditions (prematurity, Down’s, CF)
Dehydration
RR>70
O2<92%
Moderate to severe respiratory distress (deep recessions, head bobbing)
What presentations suggest possible epiglottitis?
Sore throat/stridor
Drooling
Sat forward with a hand on each knee (tripod position)
Difficulty/painful swallowing
Muffled voice
Unwell/septic
Three Ds –> Dysphagia, Drooling Distress
What is the management of epiglottitis?
Not distressing the patient
Ensure airway is secure
Be ready to intubate if required
IV antibiotics (ceftriaxone)
Steroids (dexamethasone)
What is the inheritance pattern of cystic fibrosis?
Autosomal recessive
What is the initial presentation of cystic fibrosis?
Screened for at birth
Meconium ileus –> first stool passed is thick and sticky, causing bowel obstruction
If developed later in childhood –> recurrent LRTIs, failure to thrive, pancreatitis
What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
Chronic cough
Thick sputum
Recurrent LRTIs
Steatorrhoea
Abdominal pain/bloating
Salty sweat
Failure to thrive
Diabetes –> Blocking of pancreatic duct
What is the gold standard test for cystic fibrosis?
Sweat test
What is the management of cystic fibrosis?
Chest physiotherapy
Exercise
High calorie diet
Treat symptoms
Bronchodilators
What organism causes whooping cough?
Bordetella pertussis
What is the presentation of whooping cough?
Starts as mild coryzal symptoms, low grade fever and mild dry cough
After 1 week, more severe cough –> Paroxysmal cough so severe that the patient is completely out of breath, and can faint, vomit or develop pneumothorax
What is the management of whooping cough?
Notify PHE
Simple supportive care
Macrolide Abx (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin) can be beneficial in first 21 days or vulnerable patients
What is the most common bacterial cause of otitis media?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What is the presentation of otitis media?
Ear pain
Reduced hearing
General symptoms of upper airway infection (fever, coryzal symptoms etc)
Discharge if tympanic membrane ruptured
What is the management of otitis media?
Simple analgesia to help with pain and fever
Avoid antibiotics unless bilateral or discharge, or if symptoms not improved after 1 week
Then prescribe 5 days of amoxicillin
What is the management of persistent glue ear?
Grommets
What are congenital causes of deafness?
Maternal rubella or cytomegalovirus during pregnancy
Genetic deafness
Down’s syndrome
What are perinatal causes of deafness?
Prematurity
Hypoxia during or after birth
What is the name of the hole in the atrial septum that normally closes after birth?
Foramen ovale
In an atrial septal defect, which way does the blood move initially?
Left atrium –> right atrium due to higher pressure in LA (no cyanosis)
Eventually, extra blood flow in RA increases the pressure, causing pulmonary hypertension, and the blood then flows right to left, bypassing the lungs (cyanosis) –> Eisenmenger syndrome
What are the complications of an atrial septum defect?
Stroke (in the context of DVT) –> Embolus would normally return to right atrium and cause PE, however, in ASD, the clot can travel to the left atrium and enter the peripheral circulation
What would be heard on auscultation in a patient with an atrial septal defect?
Mid-systolic, crescendo-decrescendo murmur loudest at upper left sternal edge
What are typical symptoms of atrial septal defects in children?
Shortness of breath
Difficulty feeding
Poor weight gain
LRTIs
May be asymptomatic
What is the management of an atrial septal defect?
If small and asymptomatic –> watch and wait
Transvenous catheter closure
Open heart surgery
Anticoagulants to reduce risk of clots and stroke
What is Einsenmenger syndrome?
When blood flows from the right side to the left side of the heart, bypassing the lungs
What are the underlying lesions that can cause Einsenmerger syndrome?
ASD
VSD
Patent ductus arteriosus
What are the examination findings in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome?
Signs of pulmonary oedema:
Right ventricular heave
Loud second heart sound (due to forceful shutting of the pulmonary valve)
Raised JVP
Peripheral oedema
Signs of septal defect:
Mid-systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmer at left upper sternal edge –> ASD
Pan-systolic murmer at left lower sternal edge –> VSD
Continuous crescendo-decrescendo “machinery” murmur –> Patent ductus arteriosus
Signs of right-left shunt:
Cyanosis
Clubbing
Dyspnoea
What is the management of Eisenmenger syndrome?
Ideally should have underlying defect surgically corrected before it develops
Once developed, not possible to reverse condition without heart-lung transplant
What genetic conditions are ventricle septal defects associated with?
Down’s syndrome
Turner’s syndrome
What is the presentation of ventricle septal defects?
Initially asymptomatic
Poor feeding
Dyspnoea
Tachypnoea
Failure to thrive
What would be heard on auscultation in a patient with a ventricle septal defect?
Pan-systolic murmur heard loudest at lower left sternal edge and in third and fourth intercostal spaces
What is the management of a ventricle septal defect?
Watch and wait if asymptomatic –> open close spontaneously
Transvenous catheter closure/open heart surgery
Prophylactic antibiotics to protect against infective endocarditis
What underlying genetic condition is linked to coarctation of the aorta?
Turner’s syndrome
What is the main presentation of coarctation of the aorta in neonates?
Weak femoral pulses
What are the findings in four limb blood pressure monitoring in coarctation?
High blood pressure in limbs supplied before the narrowing (normally upper limbs) and low pressure in limbs after the narrowing (lower limbs)
What is the management of coarctation?
Removal of the narrowing and reconnection of the aorta –> Can be in adulthood in mild cases or emergency after birth in severe cases
Prostaglandin E –> used in emergency cases to keep the ductus arteriosus open whilst awaiting surgery to prevent heart failure and death
What are the features of a patent ductus arteriosus on examination of the chest?
Left subclavicular thrill
Continuous machinery murmur
Large volume bounding and collapsing pulse
Wide pulse pressure
Heaving apex beat
What pathologies exist in Tetralogy of Fallot?
Pulmonary valve stenosis
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Overriding aorta
VSD
What are risk factors for Tetralogy of Fallot?
Rubella infection
Increased maternal age
Alcohol consumption in pregnancy
Diabetic mother
What are the signs and symptoms of a patient with Tetralogy of Fallot?
Cyanosis
Clubbing
Poor feeding
Poor weight gain
Ejection systolic murmur
What is the management of Tetralogy of Fallot?
Open heart surgery
Prostaglandin infusion to maintain the ductus arteriosus and maintain blood flow to the pulmonary arteries
What is the significance of GORD in babies?
Immaturity of the lower oesophageal sphincter means that GORD is common and is not problematic
What are the signs of a problematic reflux?
Chronic cough
Hoarse cry
Distress/crying after feeding
Reluctance to feed
Pneumonia
Poor weight gain
What is the management of mild cases of GORD?
Reassurance
Small, frequent meals
Burping to help milk settle
Not over-feeding
Keep the baby upright after feeding
What is the management of more problematic GORD?
Gaviscon mixed with feeds
Thickened milk/formula
PPIs
What is the initial presentation of pyloric stenosis?
Hungry baby
Thin, pale, failure to thrive
Projectile vomiting
Firm mass felt in upper abdomen
What is the standard investigation for diagnosing pyloric stenosis?
Abdominal ultrasound
What is the treatment of pyloric stenosis?
Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy
What are the most common viral causes of gastroenteritis?
Rotavirus
Norovirus
What are the common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis?
E.coli
Campylobacter jejuni (Traveller’s diarrhoea)
Shigella
Salmonella
Bacillus cereus (Typically occurs after eating leftover fried rice)
Yersinia enterocolitica (Pork)
S.aureus
G.lamblia
What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?
Vomiting and nausea (gastritis)
Diarrhoea (enteritis)
If bacterial/more severe:
Abdominal cramps
Blood/mucus in stool
Fever
What are the principles of gastroenteritis management?
Good hygiene
Isolation
Hydration
Antibiotics ONLY IF causative organism confirmed (bacterial but not E.coli)
What are possible post-infection complications of gastroenteritis?
Lactose intolerance
Irritable bowel syndrome
Reactive arthritis
Guillain-Barre syndrome
What are typical features that suggest constipation?
Less than 3 stools per week
Hard stools
Straining when passing
Abdominal pain
Rectal bleeding
What is encopresis?
Faecal incontinence, only pathological after 4 years old, due to constipation causing stretching of the rectum and loss of sensation
What lifestyle factors can be associated with constipation?
Habit of not opening bowels
Low fibre diet
Poor fluid intake
Sedentary lifestyle
Psychosocial problems
What are some secondary causes of constipation?
Hirschsprung’s disease
Cystic fibrosis
Hypothyroidism
Spinal cord lesions
Sexual abuse
Intestinal obstruction
Cows milk intolerance
What is the management of idiopathic/functional constipation?
High fibre diet and hydration
Laxatives (movicol first line) –> wean off once normal bowel habits established
Encourage and praise going to the toilet
(Star charts etc)
What antibodies are associated with coeliac disease?
Anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG)
Anti-endomysial (anti-EMA)
What are common symptoms of coeliac disease?
Failure to thrive
Diarrhoea
Fatigue
Weight loss
Mouth ulcers
Anaemia –> iron/B12/folate deficiency
What non-intestinal symptoms can be associated with coeliac disease?
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Gluten ataxia
Big up TG3 and TG6!!!
What is the management of coeliac disease?
Lifelong gluten free diet
What are the characteristic features of Crohn’s disease?
No blood or mucus
Entire GI tract affected
Skip lesions
Transmural/Termial ileum most affected
Smoking is a risk factor
(crows NESTS)
What are the characteristic features of ulcerative colitis?
Continuous inflammation (no skip lesions)
Limited to colon and rectum
Only superficial mucosa
Smoking is protective
Excrete blood and mucus
Use aminosalicylates
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
(U-C-CLOSEUP)
What tests can be performed to diagnose IBD?
FBC –> anaemia
WCC –> Infection
CRP –> active inflammation
Faecal calprotectin –> released by intestines when inflamed
What is the management for inducing remission in Crohn’s disease?
1st line = Steroids eg. oral prednisolone, IV hydrocortisone
Consider adding immunosuppressant eg. azathioprine, methotrexate, infliximab
What is the management for inducing remission in Crohn’s disease?
1st line = Steroids eg. oral prednisolone, IV hydrocortisone
Consider adding immunosuppressant eg. azathioprine, methotrexate, infliximab
What is the management for maintaining remission in Crohn’s disease?
1st line = Azathioprine/mercaptopurine
Alternatives = Methotrexate/inflixumab
What is the management for inducing remission in mild/moderate and severe UC?
Mild/moderate
1st line = Aminosalicylates eg. mesalazine
2nd line = Prednisolone
Severe
1st line = IV hydrocortisone
2nd line = IV ciclosporin
What is the management for maintaining remission in UC?
Mesalazine
Azathioprine
Mercaptopurine
What conditions have an association with Hirschsprung’s disease?
Down’s syndrome
Neurofibromatosis
What is Hirschsprung’s disease?
A congenital condition where parasympathetic ganglia in the bowel wall are absent, causing bowel constriction and loss of movement of faeces and bowel obstruction, and bowel distension proximal to the pathology
What is the presentation of Hirschsprung’s disease?
Delay in passing meconium (>24hours)
Chronic constipation
Abdominal pain/distension
Vomiting
Poor weight gain/failure to thrive
What is the gold standard investigation to diagnose Hirschsprung’s disease?
Suction rectal biopsy
What is the management of Hirschsprung’s disease?
Resection of the aganglionic section of bowel (Swenson procedure)
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis?
Central abdominal pain that moves to right iliac fossa (McBurney’s point)
Loss of appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Guarding
Rebound tenderness –> Suggests rupture causing peritonitis
Rovsing’s sign –> Palpation of LIF causes pain in RIF
What is the management of appendicitis?
Immediate emergency admission
Appendicectomy
What is biliary atresia?
Narrowing or absence of the bile duct, resulting in cholestasis
What is the presentation of biliary atresia?
Significant jaundice
What is the investigation of biliary atresia?
Conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin –> High proportion of conjugated suggests biliary atresia as the liver has conjugated the bilirubin but is unable to excrete it as the bile duct is faulty
What is the management of biliary atresia?
Surgery
What are the possible causes of intestinal obstruction?
Meconium ileus
Hirschsprung’s disease
Oesophageal atresia
Intussusception
Volvulus
Strangulated hernia
What is the presentation of an intestinal obstruction?
Persistent vomiting –> may be bilious (bright green)
Abdominal pain/distension
Failure to pass stool/wind
Abnormal bowel sounds –> initially high pitched, later absent
What is the management of an intestinal obstruction?
Nasogastric tube to drain the stomach
IV fluids and electrolytes
Manage underlying condition
What is intussusception?
When the bowel “telescopes” into itself
What is the presentation of intususception?
Severe colicky abdominal pain
Pale, lethargic and unwell
“Redcurrant jelly stool”
RUQ mass (“sausage-shaped”)
Vomiting
Intestinal obstruction
What typically precedes a intussusception?
Viral URTI
What is the initial investigation for intususception?
Ultrasound
What is the management of intussusception?
Therapeutic enema with water, air or contrast
Surgical reduction
Surgical resection
What are the complications of intussusception?
Obstruction
Gangrenous bowel
Perforation
Death
What are the symptoms of UTI in babies?
Fever
Lethargy
Irritability
Vomiting
Poor feeding
Frequency
What are the symptoms of UTI is older infants and children?
Fever
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Dysuria
Frequency
Incontinence
What features indicate that a UTI is acute pyelonephritis?
Temperature > 38oC
Loin pain/tenderness
What is the management of a child under 3 months with UTI and fever?
Urgently refer to specialist
IV antibiotics
What is the management for pyelonephritis/upper UTI in children over 3 months?
Oral cefalexin or co-amoxiclav
What is the management for cystitis/lower UTI in children over 3 months?
1st line = Oral trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin (if eGFR > 45)
2nd line = Oral nitrofurantoin/amoxicillin/cefalexin
What are the definitions of recurrent UTI?
2 or more episodes of pyelonephritis/upper UTI
1 episode of upper UTI + 1 or more episodes of lower UTI
3 or more episodes of cystitis/lower UTI
What is the management of recurrent UTI?
Treat current UTI
Prescribe prophylactic antibiotics (trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin)
What is the classic triad of nephrotic syndrome?
Low serum albumin
High proteinuria
Oedema
What are the causes of nephrotic syndrome?
Minimal change disease (MOST COMMON)
Intrinsic kidney disease (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis/membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis)
Underlying systemic illness (Henoch schonlein purpura, diabetes, infection)
What is the pathophysiology of nephrotic syndrome?
The basement membrane of the glomerulus becomes highly permeable to protein
What is the presentation of nephrotic syndrome?
2-5 years old
Frothy urine
Generalised oedema
Pallor
What is the management of minimal change disease?
Corticosteroids eg prednisolone
What is the management of nephrotic syndrome?
High dose prednisolone
Low salt diet
Diuretics to treat oedema
Albumin infusion if severe hypoalbuminaemia
Antibiotic prophylaxis in severe cases
What are the two most common causes of nephritis in children?
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease)
What is the presentation of nephritis?
Reduction in kidney function
Haematuria –> visible or invisible
Proteinuria (although less than nephrotic syndrome)
What is the pathophysiology of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis?
Following B-haemolytic streptococcus infection, eg. tonsillitis, streptococcal antigens and antibodies become stuck in the glomeruli of the kidney and cause inflammation
What is the management of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis?
Supportive (80% of cases)
May need antihypertensive medication and diuretics if hypertensive or has oedema
What is the pathophysiology of IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease)?
IgA deposits in the nephrons causing inflammation
Related to Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (IgA vasculitis)
What is the management of IgA nephropathy?
Supportive
Immunosuppressant medication (steroids and cyclophosphamide)
What is haemolytic uraemic syndrome?
Thrombosis in small blood vessels throughout the body, caused by shiga toxin from bacteria (E.coli and shigella)
Use of antibiotics and anti-motility medications following gastroenteritis increases the risk of HUS
What is the classic triad haemolytic uraemic syndrome?
Haemolytic anaemia –> destruction of RBCs
Acute kidney injury –> failure of kidneys to remove waste eg. urea
Thrombocytopenia –> Low platelets
What is the presentation of haemolytic uraemic syndrome?
Symptoms develop 5 days after diarrhoea from gastroenteritis
Reduced urine output
Haematuria
Abdominal pain
Lethargy and irritability
Confusion
Oedema
Hypertension
What is the management of haemolytic uraemic syndrome?
Medical emergency
Urgent referral
Antihypertensives if required
Fluid maintenance
Blood transfusions if required
What is enuresis?
Involuntary urination
At what age do most children get the ability to control urination?
Daytime urination (diurnal enuresis) = 2 years old
Night-time urination (nocturnal enuresis) = 3-4 years
What are causes of primary nocturnal enuresis?
Variation on normal development
Overactive bladder
Increased fluid intake
Failure to wake
Psychological distress
What is the management of primary nocturnal enuresis?
Reassure parents of children under 5
Lifestyle changes –> Reduced fluid intake in evenings, going to toilet before bed etc
Encouragement and positive reinforcement
Treatment of underlying cause
Pharmacological –> Desmopressin, oxybutinin, imipramine
What is the definition of primary nocturnal enuresis?
Where the child wets the bed and has never managed to be consistently dry at night
What is the definition of secondary nocturnal enuresis?
Where the child wets the bed despite being consistently dry for at least 6 months
What are the causes of secondary nocturnal enuresis?
UTI
Constipation
What are the causes of secondary nocturnal enuresis?
UTI
Constipation
Type 1 Diabetes
New psychosocial problems
Maltreatment
What factors can exacerbate vulvovaginitis?
Wet nappies
Use of chemicals or soaps
Tight clothing
Poor toilet hygiene
Constipation
Threadworms
Pressure eg. horse riding/cycling
What is the presentation of vulvovaginitis?
Soreness/itching
Erythema
Vaginal discharge
Dysuria
Constipation
What is the management of vulvovaginitis?
Avoid soap/chemicals
Good toilet hygiene –> Wiping front to back
Keeping area dry
Emollients
Loose clothing
Treatment of constipation/worms
Oestrogen cream in severe cases
What is a Wilms tumour?
A specific kidney tumour, typically affecting children under 5
What is the presentation of a Wilms tumour?
Abdominal mass
Abdominal pain
Haematuria
Lethargy
Fever
Hypertension
Weight loss
What is the treatment of a Wilms tumour?
Surgical excision
May require adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy
What is the presentation of eczema?
Dry, red, itchy, sore patches on skin over the flexor region (inside elbows and knees) and on face and neck
Flaring of symptoms