Paediatrics Flashcards
Rubella symptoms?
- Maculopapular rash (less intense than measles)
- Conjunctivitis (less intense than measles)
- Coryza (less intense than measles)
- Forchheimer spots (red macules on soft palate and tonsils)
- Fever
- Lymphadenopathy
Rubella etiology? Risk Factors?
Self limiting viral disease usually caused by incomplete history of vaccination;
Rubella diagnosis?
LAB TESTING TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS
- PCR test: oral fluid sample.
- Serology: IgM antibody (positive in acute cases).
Rubella and pregnancy
► Congenital Rubella syndrome if < than 20w pregnant
Roseola epidemiology
Most common rash seen under the age of 3
Roseola symptoms
- High fever (40C) lasts for 3 days
- Rash after fever lasts for 3 days
- Runny nose
► In most cases the child is well.
Roseola etiology?
Caused by human herpesvirus-6.
Roseola Rx?
Rx is supportive.
Paeds:
ASTHMA
In which situations is it recommended to intubate?
- Severe resp. acidosis;
- Silent chest (severe bronchoconstrition);
- Altered mental status (sever hypoxia);
- Fatigue (↓RR);
- Failure of NIV.
Management of acute exacerbation of asthma in children
.
◉ Immediate
➜ O₂:
* O₂
if SPO₂ < 94%, goal SPO₂ 94-98%;
➜ Bronchodilators
* B₂-agonist:
Salbutamol nebulized or pDMI + spacer (if mild symptoms);
* Anticholinergics:
ipratropium bromide;
➜ Corticosteroids:
* Prednisolone
* Hydrocortisone (if vomiting).
◉ 2nd line:
* Mg₂SO₄ IV
* Salbutamol IV
* Aminophiline IV (last resource).
Paeds
Symptoms of ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia).
- Fatigue (anaemia)
- Bleeding, petechia, purpura, ecchymoses (trombocytopenia)
- Recurrent infections (low or abnormal WBC’s)
- LUQ tenderness & early satiety (splenomegaly).
Paeds
Diagnosis of ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia)
► Most initial
⟶ FBC depression of all 3 cell lines:
* Anaemia (normochromic normocytic)
* WBC (low, normal or elevated)
* Thrombocytopenia
► Most appropriate
⟶ Peripheral blood test: Leukaemic blasts/lymphoblasts on peripheral blood
► Most definitive test
⟶ Bone marrow biopsy:
* Blasts cells.
Age group: 2-4 YO.
What are the organisms
that cause acute epiglottitis?
➜ Unvaccinated patients: H. influenzae
➜ Vaccinated patients: Streptococcus
Symptoms of acute epiglottitis
- Stridor
- Drooling of saliva
- Muffled / Hot potato voice
- High temperature
- Odynophagia (pain when swallowing)
- Dysphagia
What is the gold standard investigation for epiglottitis
?
Laryngoscopy.
What is the initial investigation
in epiglottitis?
- Lateral neck x-ray: thumb sign
- Throat swabs
DO NOT USE TONGUE DEPRESSORS ➔ FATAL.
What is the Rx of epigottitis?
- Intubation (on signs of airway obstruction)
- IV antibiotics
What investigation
should be done absence seizures?
EEG.
Paeds
What is the time onset
of ABO incompatibility?
-
< 24h after birth
. - Can be noticed on day 2-3 (as jaundice progresses).
Paeds
Explain the physiology
of ABO incompatibility.
- Mother has type O blood
- Baby has type A, B, AB blood
- Mother has anti-A, anti-B antibodies
- Mother’s antibodies cross the placenta and destroy the infant’s red blood cells.
➜ Can occur in the 1st pregnancy.
What is the investigation in ABO incompability
?
- Direct antibody test (DAT) / Coombs test: weakly positive.
Paeds
Rx
of ABO incompability
- Phototherapy
- Exchange transfusion (if severe).
Paeds
What is the management
of umbilical hernia in children?
Asymptomatic:
* Reasurance
* Closes spontaneously by the 4th year.
> 4 yo asymptomatic:
* Referral to paediatric surgeon
Incarcerated / strangulated:
* Urgent referral surgery
What is the management
of inguinal hernia in children?
Asymptomatic:
* Refer to 2nd care due to ↑ risk of incarceration.
Incarcerated / strangulated:
* Urgent referral surgery
What are the symptoms of biliary atresia
?
High Yield for the exam
◆ Jaundice with pale stools and dark urine
.
◆ Presents in 3-4 weeks of life.
◆ Hepatomegaly.
◆ Splenomegaly (if late presentation).
◆ Failure to thrive (due to poor absorption).
Obstructive jaundice
⟶ Jaundice with pale stools and dark urine.
How is the INITIAL diagnosis of biliary atresia
made?
◆ ⬆︎ Conjugated bilirubin (conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia);
◆ ⬆︎ Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
;
◆ Abdominal ultrasound;
◆ Cholangiogram.
How is the DEFINITIVE diagnosis of biliary atresia
made?
High Yield for the exam
➜ Percutaneous biopsy.
What is the treatment for biliary atresia
?
High Yield for the exam
➜ Kasai procedure (hepatoportoenterostomy).
What is the initial investigation for any *child with jaundice AFTER
2 weeks of life
?
◉ Conjugated bilirubin.
What are the symptoms of breast milk jaundice
?
◆ Jaundice IN THE 2nd week
of life (sometimes 1st);
◆ They are usually well;
◆ Yellow normal stools
;
◆ May resolve within 6 weeks or continue up to 4 month.
How is the investigation / diagnosis of breast milk jaundice
made?
◆ Perform split bilirubin test
➜ Will show ⬆︎ unconjugated bilirubin
.
What is the management of breast milk jaundice
?
◆ Continue to breastfeed.
◆ Reassurance.
What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis
?
◆ Cough / coryza
◆ Expiratory wheeze
◆ Respiratory distress
◆ Bilateral crepitations/crackles
◆ ⬆︎ RR
◆ Chest rectractions
◆ Mild fever
What is the age group of bronchiolitis
?
< 2 YO.
What is the cause of bronchiolitis
?
➜ Acute viral infection of the lower respiractory tract, caused by respiratory syncytial virus
.
What is the treatment of bronchiolitis
?
◉ Supportive treatment:
◆ O₂ (humidified)
◆ Nasogastric tube (feeding)
Define Croup.
Also known as laryngotracheobronchitis.
It’s an UTRI that affects the:
◆ Larynx
◆ Trachea
◆ Bronchi
What are the symptoms of croup
?
Laryngotracheobronchitis
◆ Barking cough
◆ Inspiratory stridor
◆ Mild fever
◆ Hoarse voice
What is the treatment for croup
?
► Mild cases:
◆ Oral dexamethasone
► Moderate cases:
◆ O₂
◆ Nebulised budesonide
► Severe cases:
◆ O₂
◆ Nebulised adrenaline
◆ Intubation if required
NO IV STEROIDS in croup.
What is the cause of croup
?
Parainfluenza.
Describe what is cerebral palsy and its epidemiology.
► Chronic disorder of movement and/or posture, that presents early in life and continues throrought life.
➜ Caused by a non-progressive brain injury
Management of cerebral palsy?
Multidisciplinary team involved.
Treatment for hypertonia
in cerebral palsy?
◆ Botulinum toxin injections
◆ Baclofen
What are the symptoms of coeliac disease
?
◉ Autoimmune disease due to gluten sensintivity which results in malapsorption.
◆ Diarrhoea (chronic or intermittent)
◆ Stinking stools
◆ Steatorrhea
◆ Bloating, nausea and vomiting
◆ Fatigue
◆ Weight loss
◆ Iron deficiency anaemia
What are the complications of coeliac disease
?
◆ Osteoporosis
◆ T cell lymphoma of the small intestine
What investigations
are done in coeliac disease?
These tests must be done with gluten re-introduced in the patients diet for a minimum of 6 weeks!
1. Specific auto-antibodies
◆ Tissue tranglutaminase (TTG) antibodies (IgA)
◆ Endomysial antibody (IgA)
2. Jejunal/Duodenal biopsy
Management of coeliac disease
?
Gluten free diet.
Describe the symptoms of breath holding spells
.
◉ Symptoms
◆ Happens after a child that was crying vigourously
◆ Turns blue and then stops breathing
◉ Cause:
◆ Stress, anger, anxiety
◆ Loss of counsciousness <1min
Describe the symptoms of reflex anoxic seizures
.
◉ Symptoms
◆ Sudden fright or pain (may or may not cry)
◆ Stops breathing and then turns pale
◉ Cause:
◆ Stress, anger, anxiety
◆ Loss of counsciousness <1min
Management of breath holding spells and reflex anoxic seizures?
◆ Reassurance
◆ Advise parents to put child on recovery position
◆ Check ferritin and treat iron deficiency if present.
What is the cause
of congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Autossomal recessive disorder caused by:
➜ 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
Symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia
.
► General:
◆ Hyponatraemia
◆ Hyperkalaemia
◆ Vomiting
► Females:
◆ Ambiguous genitalia with enlarged clitoris
► Males:
◆ Hyperpigmentation
◆ Penile enlargement
Treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia
◆ Glucorticoids
(prednisolone, hydrocortisone)
◆ Mineralocorticoids
(fludrocortisone)
◆ Surgery
(for ambiguous genitalia)
Describe the non classical symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia
.
◆ Caused by overproduction of 17-hydroxyprogesterone
◆ Presents in late childhood or early adulthood with hirsutism
, acne
and oligomenorrhoea
What is the management
of congenital cytomegalovirus?
➜ PCR: oral swabs of the neonate;
➜ Ganciclovir: given to the neonate to slow down disease progression.
What are the complications
of congenital cytomegalovirus?
◆ Sensorineural hearing loss
⟶ most common
◆ Cataracts
◆ Microcephaly
◆ Low birth weight
◆ Learning disability
What is the most likely outcome of congenital cytomegalovirus?
Normal development.
What are the symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism
?
◆ Prolonged jaundice
◆ Difficulty feeding
◆ Lethargy
◆ Goitre
What are the physical signs of congenital hypothyroidism
?
◆ Macroglossia
◆ Large fontanelles
◆ Jaundice
◆ Umbilical hernia
◆ Hoarse voice
How is the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism
done?
◉ Heel prick test (when the newborn is 5 days old)
◆ ⬆︎TSH
◆ ⬇︎ T4
◉ If heel prick test positive:
◆ Radioisotope scan
◆ Ultrasound of the neck
Treatment of congenital hypothyroidism
?
➜ Oral levothyroxine until 2yo.
What is the management of constitutional delay in growth and puberty?
X-ray of the left wrist:
◆ Significant short stature / growth delay.
Review in 6 months (no x-ray):
◆ Strong family history of late bloomers.
◆ Minor variations of growth rate.
◆ Healthy child.
Describe the adrenal axis physiology
.
Cushings syndrome
- Hypothalamus releases CRH hormone
- CRH acts on the anterior pituitary gland
-
Anterior pituitary releases
ACTH hormone
-
ACTH acts on the
adrenal gland
-
Adrenal gland releases
cortisol
-
Cortisol does the following:
◆ Inhibits the immune system;
◆ Inhibits bone formation;
◆ ⬆︎ blood glucose
◆ ⬆︎ metabolism
◆ ⬆︎ alertness - ⬆︎ Cortisol sends a negative feedback to the anterior pituitary and to the hypothalamus, and they ⬇︎ the production of their hormones.
What is Cushings syndrome?
Condition caused by prolongued exposure of endogenous or exogenous glucorticoids
leading to excessive cortisol on the body.
What are the causes
of Cushings syndrome?
◉ ACTH dependent disease
◆ Cushings disease: Pituitary adenoma;
◆ Ectopic ACTH: small lung carcinoma
◉ Non-ACTH dependent
◆ Adrenal adenoma/carcinoma
◆ Exogenous steroids
What are the symptoms
of Cushings syndrome?
◆ Round face
◆ Buffalo hump
◆ Abdominal obesity
◆ Purple abdominal striae
◆ Muscle weakness
◆ Osteoporosis
◆ Depression and insomnia
How is the diagnosis
of Cushings syndrome done?
1. 24h urinary free cortisol
2. Dexamethasone suppression test (low dose)
Explain how the low
dose dexa supression test is done and its clinical relevance
.
1. 1mg of Dexa is giving at midnight.
2. Cortisol (plasma) is measured the next day at 9 am.
➜ If positive for Cushings:
◆ 1mg of dexa won't be enough
to supress the hypothalamus (CRH) or the anterior pituitary (ACTH), as the body is used to ⬆︎ levels of cortisol.
➜ If negative for Cushings:
◆ Cortisol < 50 nmol/L.
◆ 1mg of dexa will be enough
to supress the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary.
After positive dexa supression test
(low dose), what is the next step?
Cushings syndrome
◉ Differentiate the causes of Cushings by doing:
➜ High dose dexamethasone supression test.
Explain how the high
dose dexa supression test is done and its clinical relevance
.
◘ 8mg of dexa is administered.
➔ Cushing disease/pituitary adenoma:
◆ ACTH ⬇︎
◆ Cortisol ⬇︎
◆ 8 mg would supress the ACTH/adenoma
➔ Adrenal adenoma:
◆ ACTH ⬇︎
◆ Cortisol ⬆︎
◆ 8 mg would supress the pituitary but the source of the ↑ cortisol is on the kidney itself.
➔ Ectopic ACTH (lung carcinoma):
◆ ACTH ⬆︎
◆ Cortisol ⬆︎
◆ The source of the ↑ cortisol is elsewhere even though the pituitary is supressed.
What is the cause of cystic fibrosis
?
Autosomal recessive disease caused by:
➜ Defect in CFTR gene.
What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis
?
Symptoms usually start on early childhood, and progressively gets worse overtime.
➜ Excretion of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ into the airways which ↑ mucus viscosity.
➜ Thick mucus clogs the lungs and pancreas.
◆ Recurrent lung infections
◆ Cough
◆ SOB
◆ Malabsorption (steatorrhoea/failure to thrive)
◆ Salty skin/sweat
◆ Meconium ileus (newborn)
◆ Delayed sexual development
What microrganisms cause recurrent lung infection
in cycstic fibrosis.
◆ Children: S. aureus
◆ Adults: Pseudomonas aeruginosa
◆ Haemophilus influenzae
.
Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis
◉ Newborns:
◆ Heel prick test
➝ If positive
◆ Genetic testing for CFTR gene
◆ Sweat test
◉ Older children (not diagnosed when born):
◆ Sweat test
◆ Genetic testing for CFTR gene
◆ Chest X-ray
Rx of cystic fibrosis
◆ Pancreatic enzyme replacement
◆ Dornase alfa and hypertonic saline to reduce mucus viscosity
◆ Chest physioterapy
◆ Bronchodilators
◆ Nebulised tobramycin / colistimethate for chronic P. aeruginosa
◆ Lung transplantation if resp. failure.
What is the cause of Erb’s palsy?
Injury of the upper brachial plexus at the level of:
◆ C5-C7
It happens during childbirth.
Describe febrile seizures.
◆ Seizures accompanied by fever without
signs of CNS infection or electrolyte abnormalities.
◆ Most common between 6 mths - 6 YO.
Classification of febrile seizures
Simple
◆ < 15 min
+ generalised tonic clonic.
Complex
◆ > 15 min
OR focal.
◆ Recurrent.
Febrile status epilepticus
◆ > 30 min without complete recovery.
Management of febrile seizures
◆ Place the patient in recovery position
◆ ABCDE
◆ If seizure > 5min
than BZD (buccal midazolan or rectal diazepam)
◆ Search for other cause of seizures (hypoglycaemia, electrolyte imbalances, meningitis).
When to give paracetamol
in febrile seizures?
Seizures
+
Fever
+
Pain/Distress
What are the symptoms of galactosaemia
?
◆ Prolonged jaundice
◆ Yellow stools
◆ Pale urine
◆ Failure to thrive
◆ Vomiting
◆ Hepatomegaly
What is the treatment of galactosaemia
?
Discontinue milk to remove the lactose load and prevent progression to liver disease.
Symptoms of GORD
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
◆ Recurrent regurgitation
◆ Gagging or choking during feeds
◆ Cries after feeds
◆ Refuses feeds
◆ Aspiration pneumonia
Age group <1 yo.
Risk factors for GORD?
◆ Premature birth.
◆ Obesity.
Rx of GORD
◆ Smaller and frequent meals
◆ Trial of thickened formula
◆ Alginate therapy (gaviscon)
◆ PPI (proton pump inhibitors) & H2 blockers