Paediatrics Flashcards
Developmental milestones (There is a deck of 10 cards in paeds for it). Answer has the table. Take a look and move from 1-5.
When should solids be introduced into a baby’s diet?
6 months and never before 17 weeks
If started before, sterilise everything and no gluten, eggs, or fish. Pureed food or finger food with no added sugar or salt
Milk should be the primary source of food until?
Other than age, what would indicate that a baby is ready to be weaned?
1 year
Baby’s are ready to be weaned once:
1) They can sit up
2) They mouth objects
3) Can reach and grab properly
4) Interested in food and chewing
Changes to stool consistence is normal on weaning
What foods are should babies under 1 year of age not eat?
raw eggs or honey
Many parents worry about faltering growth due to feeding problems. It is actually common for food intake to vary day to day. Good tips include the following
1) Sit down for family meals and have conversations about other things
2) Restrict snacks and sugary drinks
3) Avoid using food as a reward
4) Show little emotion if the child rejects food
Based on the growth chart, what is the definition of Faltering Growth for children <2yo
After 2 years of age, the growth chart is not used. What is used instead to determine faltering growth? What are the parameters to investigate?
If BW <9th centile -> Fall by 1 centile
If BW is 9th to 91st centile -> Fall by 2+ centiles
If BW is >91st centile -> Fall by 3+ centiles
After 2yo -> BMI
<2nd centile -> May need to be assessed
<0.4th centile always needs investigations
What are the causes of faltering growth
Organic:
1) Congenital heart disease
2) CF, chronic lung disease
3) DM
4) Coeliac disease
5) Cleft palate
6) Pyloric stenosis
Non-organic (multifactorial)
Situation at home
Finances
Neglect
Pyloric stenosis occurs in the first 3-6 weeks of life. It is also a familial disease (especially in first male born lol).
What congenital conditions are associated with pyloric stenosis?
How does pyloric stenosis present? (including exam findings)
How is it managed?
Familial a/w Turner’s, oesophageal atresia, and PKU
Presents w/
Projectile vomiting (no bile)
Child hungry after vomiting
Faltering growth
Dehydration
Constipation (Rabbit pellet stool)
Exam:
Signs of Dehydration
Olive mass on palpation!!!
Visible peristalsis in epigastrium after test feed
Management: Refer to paediatric surgery for Ransted’s Pyloroplasty
How would you note dehydration on exam?
Reduced urine output
Dark yellow, strong odour urine
Dizziness/lightheadedness
Xerostomia
Reduced skin turgor (red flag)
Give 10 red flag symptoms in paediatrics
Systemically unwell
Pyrexia >38
Colour: Pale, mottled, ashen blue
RR>60
Sx of resp distress
Not feeding
Weak/ high pitched cry
Grunting
Blood in stool/urine
No response to social queues
Difficult to stay awake
Reduced skin turgor (dehydration)
Non-blanching rash, neck stiffness
Focal neurological signs/seizures
How do you test for neck stiffness on exam?
Cannot flex neck on exam
Temperature is measured via the axilla in paediatrics mostly. If >4weeks old, infrared ear thermometer also works. What are the causes of pyrexia in childhood?
Childhood infections
UTI
URTI/LRTI
TB, tropical disease
Endocarditis
Prolonged chronic fever:
Malignancy: Lymphoma, leukemia, RCC/hypernephroma
Immunological: Kawasaki (vasculitis), Still’s disease
Liver/renal, Autoimmune disorders (RA, SLE, polymyalgia rheumatica)
How long does a viral URTI typically last in a child?
7-10 days
A 6 year old patient presents to the clinic with pyrexia and no other sx. What investigation must you perform?
Check vitals and check urine dipstick to exclude UTI
A paediatric patient presents with suspected pneumonia. What findings on exam would support the diagnosis?
Temp >38.5
Tachypnoea
Sx of respiratory distress
Chest/abdominal pain
Chest auscultation with bronchial breathing, reduced breath sounds, and crepitations
A paediatric patient presents with penumonia. What is the management?
If child is well => No AB, give paracetamol and hydration
If unwell, give AB (Amoxicillin, azithromycin, co-amoxiclav)
If no response in 48 hours go to A&E
Advise to look out for red flag sx
What is the main prevention of pneumonia in children?
Pneumococcal vaccine given at 2,4, and 12 months
A paediatric patient comes with recurrent chest infections. What conditions would you investigate for to explain the cause? Give 5
1) Asthma
2) Reflux (aspiration)
3) Sickle cell disease/thalassemia
4) Post-infective bronchiectasis
5) Congenital heart/lung disease
6) Immune disorders (leukemia, HIV)
7) TB
What is the main culprit of bronchiolitis in paeds?
What age group is mostly affected?
What is given to prevent this? Who gets this prevention?
How is it given?
RSV mostly in those <1yo
Monthly IM Pavilizumab during fall to spring (given to premature babies, those <12 weeks old, and those with comorbidities (sickle cell, congenital heart/lung…)
Most patients with bronchiolitis recover in <14 days, 50% have wheeze and subsequent URTI. What are the sx of Bronchiolitis caused by RSV?
How would you manage?
Coryzal sx for 1-3 days followed by persistent cough, tachypnoea and feeding difficulties
If feeding well and mild recession, hydration and paracetamol, prevent exacerbation with smoking, dust etc..
If any red flag, admit
Till what age do GPs give childhood vaccinations
<5yo, after that they take it at school
What are the general contraindications to vaccine administration (not limited to paeds)?
If it were to be a live vaccine, what additional contraindications are present?
General:
1) Acute illness
2) Serve local or generalised reaction to last dose (swelling, redness, high fever (>39.5) etc… within 48 hours)
If live:
1) Pregnant
2) Immunocompromised
3) 3 weeks before or 3 months after immunoglobulin administration
An HIV patient who has normal CD4 count would like a vaccination. Is it contraindicated?
No, those with HIV who are not severely immunocompromised can have live vaccines
EXCEPT BCG and Yellow fever