Paediatrics 2 Flashcards
Give some causes of wheeze in a child
- Persistent infantile wheeze (small airways / smoking / viruses)
- Viral episodic wheeze (no interval symptoms / triggered by infection)
- Asthma (multiple trigger wheeze) -> persistent symptoms / FHx / atopic
- Other
Describe the presentation of ‘viral episodic wheeze’.
- No interval symptoms
- No excess of atopy
- Likely to improve with age
- No benefit from regular inhaled steroids
- Use bronchodilators
Describe the management of acute asthma
- Oxygen, if needed
- B-agonist
- Prednisolone 1mg/kg
- IV salbutamol bolus
- Aminophylline / MgSO4 / Salbutamol infusion
Treatment approaches to asthma include preventer and reliever inhalers. What class of drugs are the preventers, and give some examples.
Preventers = inhaled steroids
- Beclomethasone
- Budesonide
- Fluticasone
Treatment approaches to asthma include preventer and reliever inhalers. What class of drugs are the relievers, and give some examples.
B2 agonists eg.
- Salbutamol
- Terbutaline
- Ipratropium Bromide
Preventer and reliever inhalers are used to manage asthma. List 5 Add-on therapies which may be used in adjunct to the preventers + relievers.
- Long acting B2 agonists
eg. Salmeterol, Formoterol - Leukotriene receptor antagonists eg. Montelukast
- Theophyllines
- Omalizumab (Anti-IgE)
- Protect (High IgE)
On choosing a preventer inhaler for an asthmatic child, what considerations should you make?
What class of drugs are used as preventative medication in asthma?
- Lowest effective dose
- Minimise oral deposition
- Minimise GI absorption
STEROIDS!
On choosing a reliever inhaler for an asthmatic child, what considerations should you make?
What class of drugs are used as reliever medication in asthma?
- Age-appropriate device
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Dosage not critical
Drug class: B2-agonists.
A child has mild, intermittent asthma. What’s the first line management? (Step 1)
- Environment
- Inhaled short acting B2 agonist as required eg. Salbutamol
What is meant by ‘regular preventer therapy’ with regards to asthma control in a child? (Step 2)
Inhaled steroid eg. Beclametasone
200 - 400mcg / day
If regular preventer therapy fails to control a child’s asthma, what therapeutic option is recommended? (Step 3)
Add-on therapy:
- Add LABA eg. Salmeterol
- Assess control of asthma (is there a response to LABA)?
If a child has persistent poor control due to asthma, what therapeutic management can you recommend? (Step 4)
Increase inhaled steroid up to 800 mcg / day
eg. Beclametasone
If a child’s asthma is so poorly controlled that they are continuously / frequently using oral steroids, what action should you take?
- Refer to respiratory paediatrician
- Use daily steroid tablet in lowest dose providing adequate control
- Maintain high dose inhaled steroid at 800 mcg / day
An asthmatic child does not respond to treatment. Give 5 reasons why this might occur.
- Adherence (compliance)
- Bad disease
- Choice of drugs / devices
- Diagnosis
- Environment
What are the possible side effects of inhaled steroids (when used in the management of asthma)?
- May suppress the adrenals
- Might cause brief slowing of growth
- Oral thrush -> educate patient!
Give some examples of upper respiratory tract infections in children.
- Rhinitis
- Otitis media
- Tonsilitis
- Laryngitis
Give some examples of lower respiratory tract infections in children.
- Croup
- Epiglottitis
- Bronchiolitis
- Pneumonia
Acute stridor is seen in Croup. What is the causative organism of croup?
Viral -> Usually Parainfluenza
Describe the signs + symptoms seen in a child with croup.
- Worse at night
- Barking, seal-like cough
- Stridor
- Recession
Croup is usually caused by parainfluenza. Describe the course of the disease in children.
- Self limiting
- Spring / Autumn
A child in A+E is diagnosed with Croup. What medication should you give them?
Steroids!
What is the causative organism of acute epiglottis?
- Haemophilus influenza B
=> causes a severe, acute illness
List 2 diseases that might be caused by meningococcus.
- Septicaemia
- Meningitis
List 3 diseases caused by Haemophilus influenza B.
- Epiglottitis
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
What is ‘pneumonia’?
A respiratory disease characterised by inflammation of the lung parenchyma (excluding the bronchi) with congestion caused by viruses or bacteria or irritants.
How is pneumonia diagnosed in children?
- History of cough +/or difficulty breathing (<14 days duration) with increased respiratory rate (defined for age)
> 2 months: > 60 / min
2 - 11 months: > 50 / min
11 months: > 40 / min
What might be seen on an X-ray of a child who has pneumonia?
A dense or fluffy opacity that occupies a portion or whole of a lobe of lung that may or may not contain air bronchograms.
When should you consider bacterial pneumonia in a child under 3 years?
- Fever > 38.5oC
- Chest recession
- Resp rate > 50 / min
What is the leading causative organism of bacterial pneumonia?
Name some other organisms that can cause pneumonia.
Most common: Pneumococcus
Other bacterial organisms that cause pneumonia:
- H. influenzae type B (Hib)
- S. aureus
- K. pneumoniae
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
What is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in children?
Name some other causative organisms.
Most common: Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Other viral causative organisms:
- Influenza A + B
- Parainfluenza
Which organisms might cause pneumonia in a HIV-positive child?
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Others
- Pneumocystis jiroveci
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
What is meant by ‘oedema’?
What signs + symptoms might a patient with oedema have?
Increase in interstitial fluid
‘Swelling’, pitting oedema,
Fluid moves under the influence of gravity -> ascites, pleural effusions, pulmonary oedema.
Give 4 causes of increased interstitial fluid.
- Lymph drainage => lymphedema
- Venous drainage + pressure => venous obstruction
- Low oncotic pressure (low albumin / protein) => malnutrition, decreased albumin production (liver), increased loss (gut, kidney [nephrotic syndrome])
- Salt + water retention => kidney (impaired GFR), heart failure
What triad of signs indicates Nephrotic Syndrome?
- Heavy proteinuria
- Hypoalbuminaemia
- Oedema
What are ‘normal’ albumin levels?
At what levels of albumin do fluid retention + oedema occur?
Normal: 35 - 45 g/l
Fluid retention + oedema: 25 - 30 g/l
=> Serum albumin is linked to fluid retention.
If protein loss occurs (eg. nephrotic syndrome), what other complications is a child susceptible to?
- Infection
- Thrombosis
What are the 2 types of Nephrotic syndrome?
- Steroid sensitive
- Steroid resistant
What would you see in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome?
Think about: BP? Renal function? Histology?
- Normal BP
- Normal renal function
- No features to suggest nephritis
- Histology: “minimal change”
What would you see in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome?
Think about: BP? Renal function? Histology?
- Elevated BP
- Haematuria
- May be impaired renal function
- Features may suggest nephritis
- Failure to respond to steroids
- Histology: various, underlying glomerulopathy, basement membrane abnormality
What is the normal range for plasma glucose?
i) fasting
ii) post prandial
Fasting = 3.5 - 5.6mmol/l
Post prandial = <7.8mmol/l
Which test is used to diagnose diabetes?
OGTT
Diabetes:
Fasting = > 7.0 mmol/l
Post OGTT = >11.1mmol/l
HbA1c = > 6.5%
What is the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes?
B-cell destruction leading to no insulin production.
What is the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes?
T2DM due to:
- progressive insulin secretory defect => very low insulin production
OR
- Insulin resistance
What is the mainstay of treatment for type 1 diabetes?
Insulin
What is the mainstay of treatment for type 2 diabetes?
Treat with insulin and / or diet and exercise
Which 2 genes are associated with Type 1 diabetes?
HLA-DR3
HLA-DR4
What are the actions of insulin?
- Stimulates glucose uptake from blood
- Lowers blood sugar
- Stimulates conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver
How does Type 1 diabetes present?
Early:
- Pre-symptomatic
- Symptomatic
Late:
- DKA
Describe the pathophysiology of DKA.
- Insulin deficiency + glucagon excess =>
- Increased blood ketones + increased blood glucose
- Vomiting, osmotic diuresis => Fluid + electrolyte depletion
- Acidosis => cellular dysfunction, cerebral oedema, shock
How should you manage DKA?
- Fluid
- Insulin
- Monitor glucose hourly
- Monitor electrolytes, especially K+ and Ketones
- Very strict fluid balance
- Hourly neuro obs
What are the autonomic signs of hypoglycaemia?
- Irritable / Anxious
- Hungry
- Nauseous / shaky
- Sweaty / palpitations / pallor
What are the neuroglycopenic signs of hypoglycaemia?
- Dizzy, headache
- Drowsy
- Visual problems
- Problem concentrating
- Convulsions
A child is having a mild hypoglycaemic episode. How should you manage them?
- Check blood glucose to confirm
- Give 3-5 glucose tablets or 60-100mls lucozade
- Wait 10 minutes => if no improvement, repeat
- Follow up with longer acting carb (bread / biscuit)
=> Check blood glucose in 15 minutes.
A child is having a severe hypoglycaemic episode. How should you manage them?
- Do not attempt to give anything by mouth
- Glucagon: Sub cut / IM injection
- Wait 10 minutes
- When conscious, give sugar
What ‘practical stuff’ needs to be considered for a newly diagnosed diabetic?
- Injections
- Dietary guidance
- Carb counting
- Advice on exercise
- Hypoglycaemia education
- Sick day rules
Who would be involved in the MDT for a newly diagnosed diabetic?
- Liaison with school
- Paediatric Diabetic Specialist Nurses
- Frequent outpatient appointments
- Diabetes UK / Local groups
What are the aims of paediatric diabetes management?
- Normal growth and development
- As normal a childhood as possible
- Transition with optimal HbA1c to help prevent complications
- Avoidance of XS or severe hypos
What are the main complications of diabetes in the paediatric population?
- Reduced life expectancy
- DKA kills :(
- 30-40% develop microalbuminuria
- May require laser treatment for retinopathy
- Nephropathy
How is diabetes monitored in the paediatric population?
- HbA1c => 3 month profile
- Blood glucose log book
A child with Type 1 diabetes presents for their check up. What examinations should you conduct?
- Eyes
- Urine
- Feet
- Blood pressure
- Injection sites
What are important things to remember when managing a child with DKA?
- Fluid before insulin
BUT - watch the fluid => children get cerebral oedema => this can kill
Why does poor growth cause concern?
- Illness / neglect / deprivation
- Growth is a barometer of a child’s physical and emotional well being
- social + economic circumstances
How should growth of a child be assessed?
- Growth velocity charts
- Consideration for a variety of factors, including parental heights, social inequalities + ethnic background
When considering a child’s growth, disproportion can give clues to a diagnosis. What would you be considering if a child had short limbs?
Hypochondroplasia
When considering a child’s growth, disproportion can give clues to a diagnosis. What would you be considering if a child had a short back and long legs?
Delayed puberty
Why might a head circumference measurement be unreliable?
Inaccuracy
- Faulty technique
- Faulty equipment (wrongly positioned or calibrated)
- Un-cooperative children
What does an orchidometer measure?
Testicular size
At what age is ‘delayed puberty’ considered in i) girls and ii) boys?
Girls: > 13 years
Boys: > 14 years
At what age is puberty considered to be early in i) girls and ii) boys?
Girls: < 8 years
Boys: < 9 years
In normal puberty, what are the first signs of puberty in i) girls and ii) boys?
Girls: Breast buds
Boys: Testicular enlargement
Name 3 common problems associated with puberty / delayed puberty.
- Poor growth => failure to thrive
- Psychosocial deprivation
- Stretch marks / overweight