Paediatrics 2 (Haem, Onc, MSK, Neon) Flashcards
What is the APGAR score and when is it performed in newborn resuscitation?
Done at 1, 5 and 10 minutes while resuscitation continues
a scoring system used to indicate the progress over the first few minutes after birth
What are the 5 categories in the APGAR scoring?
appearance (blue/pale centrally, blue extremeties or pink)
pulse (absent, <100, >100)
grimmace (no response, little response, good response to stimulation)
activity (floppy, flexed arms and legs, active)
respiration (absent, slow/irregular, strong/crying)
How can you stimulate breathing in the first minute of a newborns life?
stimulate the baby to prompt breathing, for example by drying vigorously with a towel
Place the baby’s head in a neutral position to keep airway open. A towel under the shoulders can help keep it neutral.
If gasping or unable to breath, check for airway obstruction (i.e. meconium) and consider aspiration under direct visualisation
If a neonate is not breathing/struggling or gaspin g for breath in their first few minutes of life, what should you do?
Give inflation breaths:
2 cycles of 5 inflation breaths (lasting 3 seconds each) can be given to stimulate breathing and heart rate
If there is no response and the heart rate is low, 30 seconds of ventilation breaths can be used
Essential to maintain a neutral head position and get a good seal around the mouth and nose
Look for a rise and fall in the chest
When should chest compressions be started in a newborn and at what rate?
start chest compressions if the heart rate remains below 60 bpm despite resuscitation and inflation breaths
chest compressions are performed at a 3:1 ratio with ventilation breaths
What is the purpose of delayed umbilical cord clamping? what are the current guidelines in how long the delay should be?
delayed clamping of the umbilical cord provides time for the fetal blood still contained in the placenta to enter the baby’s circulation
this is known as placental transfusion and has been shown to improve haemoglobin, iron stores and blood pressure as well as reducing intraventricular haemorrhage and necrotising enterocolitis
current guidelines state that uncompromised neonates should have a delay of at least 1 minute in the clamping of the umbilical cord following birth
in neonates requiring resuscitation this should be prioritised over delay
What is respiratory distress syndrome?
seen in premature neonates, born before the lungs start producing adequate surfactant (<32 weeks)
inadequate surfactant leads to high surface tension within the alveoli resulting in atelectasis –> inadequate gaseous exchange –> hypoxia, hypercapnia and respiratory distress
What is the management for respiratory distress syndrome
antenatal steroids (e.g. dexamethsone) given to mothers with suspected or confirmed preterm labour help to reduce the incidence and severity of RDS in the baby
premature neonates may need:
- intubation and ventilatiojn
- endotracheal surfactant
- CPAP
- supplementary oxygen
What are some short and long term complications of RDS?
Short term complications:
Pneumothorax
Infection
Apnoea
Intraventricular haemorrhage
Pulmonary haemorrhage
Necrotising enterocolitis
Long term complications:
Chronic lung disease of prematurity
Retinopathy of prematurity occurs more often and more severely in neonates with RDS
Neurological, hearing and visual impairment
What is hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy?
malfunctioning of the brain due to a lack of oxygen and restriction of blood flow to the brain during birth
What foetal signs during the perinatal or intrapartum indicate increased risk of HIE? x4
acidosis
poor Apgar scores
features of mild, moderate or severe HIE
evidence of multi organ failure
give 4 examples of events which could cause HIE?
maternal shock
intrapartum haemorrhage
prolapsed cord
nuchal cord (cord wrapped around the baby’s neck)
What are signs of mild HIE according to sarnat staging?
poor feeding, generally irritable and hyper-alert
resolves within 24 hrs
normal prognosis
What are the signs and prognosis of moderate HIE according to sarnat staging?
poor feeding, lethargic, hypotonic and seizyres
can take weeks to resolve
up to 40% develop cerebral palsy
What are the signs and prognosis of severe HIE according to sarnat staging?
reduced consciousness, apnoeas, flaccid and reduced or absent reflexes
up to 50% mortality
up to 90% develop cerebral palsy
What is the management for HIE?
supportive care with neonatal resuscitation and ventilation, circulatory support, nutrition, acid-base balance and treatment of seizures
therapeutic hypothermia is an option in certain circumstances to help protect the brain from hypoxic injury
follow up from paediatrician to assess development and support any disability
How can therapeutic hypothermia help treat HIE?
involves actively cooling. the core temperature of the baby according to a strict protocol
the baby is transferred to neonatal ICU and actively cooled using cooling blankets and a cooling hat
the intention is to reduce the inflammation and neurone loss after the acute hypoxic injury reducing risk of CP, developmental delay, blindness and death
What is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)?
the most common chronic lung disease of the neonate, typically caused by prolonged ventilation and/or oxygen supplementation, which can disrupt normal lung development. It is characterised by inflammation, injury to the developing lung, and impaired growth of the alveoli and blood vessels.
What are the major risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia? x4
- prolonged mechanical ventilation
- high concentrations of inspired oxygen
- infection (e.g. chorioamnionitis, sepsis)
- degree of prematurity
What are some key signs of BPD?
worsening hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and increasing oxygen requirements
inability to wean off oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation or both
What is the management for BPD? x5
nutrition supplementation
fluid restriction
diuretics
oxygen supplementation as needed (wean from resp support asap)
respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis
What are some measures taken in preterm infants to prevent BPD? x4
Use of antenatal corticosteroids as indicated
Prophylactic use of exogenous surfactant in selected high-risk infants (eg, weighing < 1000 g and requiring ventilator support)
Early therapeutic continuous positive airway pressure
Early use of surfactant for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
What is meconium aspiration syndrome?
When a neonate passes meconium during the pre or peri-natal period breathes it into their lungs causing respiratory distress and lung injury.
What causes meconium aspiration syndrome ?
physiologic stress at the time of labour and delivery e.g. hypoxia and/or acidosis caused by umbilical cord compression or placental insufficiency or infectious cause) may cause the foetus to pass meconium into the amniotic fluid before delivery
meconium passage may be normal before birth, particularly in term or post-term infants but is never normal before delivery of a preterm infant
What are some of the mechanisms by which aspiration causes meconium aspiration syndrome?
- nonspecific cytokine release
- airway obstruction
- decreased surfactant production and surfactant inactivation
- chemical pneumonitis
What are some signs of meconium aspiration syndrome?
tachypnoea
nasal flaring
retractions
cyanosis
desaturation
rales (rattling sounds)
rhonchi (sonorous wheezes)
visible meconium staining of the oropharynx
What is the gold standard investigation for meconium aspiration syndrome and what is indicated?
CXR which shows hyperinflation with variable areas of atelectasis and flattening of the diaphragm
What is the treatment for meconium aspiration syndrome? x6
- endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation if needed
- supplemental oxygen as needed to keep PaO2 high to relax pulmonary vasculature in cases with PPH
- surfactant
- IV antibiotics
- Inhaled nitric oxide in severe cases of PPH
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) - if unresponsive to other therapies
What are the foetal infections described by the TORCH acronym?
Toxoplasmosis
Other - syphilis and HIV primarily (also gonorrhoea and varicella0
Rubella
Cytomegalovirus
Herpes and hepatitis
What are some clinical features common to TORCH infections? x9
low birthweight
preterm delivery
anaemia, thrombocytopaenia
hepatitis with jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly
seizures
microcephaly
mental handicap
encephalitis
failure to thrive
What are the 3 most common TORCH infections and their distinguishing features?
Toxoplasmosis –> neurological damage, cerebral calcification, hydrocephalus and chorioretinitis
Rubella –> congenital heart disease (PDA and pulmonary stenosis mainly), mental retardation, retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, purpura and microcephaly
Cytomegalovirus –> in 10-20%: hydrops (severe fetal oedema), chorioretinitis and microcephaly, in 80-90%: less specific mental handicap with visual and hearing problems later in life
What is the pathophysiology of physiological jaundice of the neonate?
There is a high concentration of RBCs in the foetus and neonate which are more fragile than normal RBCs.
Foetal RBCs break down more rapidly than normal RBCs which releases lots of bilirubin.
Normally this bilirubin is excreted via the placenta, however at birth the foetus no longer has access to a placenta to excrete bilirubin and the liver function is not fully developed so it is unable to process the excess bilirubin.
This leads to a normal rise in bilirubin following birth, causing a mild yellowing of skin and sclera between days 2-7, usually resolving completely by 10 days.
In most babies this doesn’t cause any issues.
However jaundice in the first 24hrs of life is pathological and requires urgent investigations and management.
What are the causes of neonatal jaundice due to conjugated bilirubin?
prolonged parenteral nutrition
NEC
sepsis
metabolic disease
anatomical problems
What are the causes of neonatal jaundice due to unconjugated bilirubin>?
haemolysis
prematurity
sepsis
dehydration
hypothyroidism
metabolic disease
What is a common cause of jaundice within the first 24hrs of life?
neonatal sepsis
What is kernicterus?
brain damage due to high bilirubin levels
presents with less responsive, floppy, drowsy baby with poor feeding.
the CNS damage is permanent causing cerebral palsy, learning disability and deafness.
Why are breastfed babies more likely to have neonatal jaundice?
certain components of breastmilk inhibit the ability of the liver to process bilirubin
breastfed babies are more likely to become dehydrated if not feeding adequately and this may lead to slow passage of stools, increasing absorption of bilirubin in the intestines
What is haemolytic disease of the newborn?
a disease characterised by haemolysis and jaundice in the neonate
it results from incompatibility between the rhesus antigens on the surface of the RBCs of the mother and foetus leading to the immune system of the foetus attacking their own RBCS.
this leads to haemolysis which causes anaemia and high bilirubin levels
Why do rhesus D negative mothers have a low risk of haemolytic disease of the newborn in their first pregnancy but high risk in subsequent pregnancies in the child is rhesus D positive?
In the first pregnancy with a rhesus positive child the mother’s immune system will be exposed to rhesus D antigens and produce antibodies so her immune system becomes sensitised but does not cause problems.
In subsequent pregnancies where the child is rhesus D positive the mother’s rhesus D antibodies can cross the placenta into the foetus and attach themselves to the RBCs of the foetus causing the immune system of the foetus to attack itself –> haemolytic disease of the newborn
What is the definition of prolonged jaundice in full term and preterm babies
lasting more than 14 days in full term babies
lasting more than 21 days in preterm babies
What investigations are needed for neonatal jaundice? x7 blood tests
FBC and blood film (for polycythaemia or anaemia)
Conjugated bilirubin (elevated levels indicate a hepatobiliary cause)
Blood type testing (of mother and baby for ABO or rhesus incompatibility)
Direct Coombs Test (direct antiglobulin test) for haemolysis
Thyroid function (particularly for hypothyroid)
Blood and urine cultures (if infection is suspected.)
Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) levels (for G6PD deficiency)
What is the management for neonatal jaundice?
monitoring of total bilirubin levels on treatment threshold charts
phototherapy is usually adequate but extremely
high levels may require an exchange transfusion
How does phototherapy work to correct neonatal jaundice?
a light box shines blue light on the baby’s skin which converts unconjugated bilirubin into isomers which can be excreted in the bile and urine without requiring conjugation in the liver.
a rebound bilirubin should be measured 12-18 hours after stopping
What is necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)
a life threatening emergency affecting premature neonates where part of the bowel becomes necrotic and can be at risk of perforation, peritonitis and shock
What are some of the risk factors for developing NEC?x5
very low birth weight or very premature
formula feeds
respiratory distress and assisted ventilation
sepsis
patent ductus arteriosus and other congenital heart diseases
What are the key symptoms/signs of NEC? x6
Intolerance to feeds
Vomiting, particularly with green bile
Generally unwell
Distended, tender abdomen
Absent bowel sounds
Blood in stools
What are the key investigations for NEC?
Bloods (FBC, CRP, CBG, culture)
Abdo XR
What may be seen on abdo XR for NEC? x5
dilated bowel loops
bowel wall oedema
pneumatosis intestinalis (gas in bowel wall)
pneumoperitoneum (free gas in peritoneal cavity indicating perforation)
gas in the portal veins
What is the management for NEC?
nil by mouth with IV fluids, TPN and antibiotics to stabilise them
NG tube may be inserted to drain fluid and gas from the stomach and intestines
SURGICAL EMERGENCY as dead bowel tissue may need to be removed
What are some potential complications of NEC? x8
Perforation and peritonitis
Sepsis
Death
Strictures
Abscess formation
Recurrence
Long term stoma
Short bowel syndrome after surgery
What is gastroschisis?
protrusion of the abdominal viscera through a full-thickness abdo wall defect, usually to the right of the umbilical cord insertion
What is the difference between gastroschisis and omphalocele
in gastroschisis the abdominal viscera protrudes from an opening to the right of the umbilical cord insertion and there is no membranous covering of the intestine whereas with omphaloceles it protrudes from a midline defect at the base of the umbilicus and has no covering
What protein seen on prenatal blood tests may be elevated and indicate gastroschisis?
alpha-fetoprotein
What is oesophageal atresia? What frequently occurs along with this?
a congenital medical condition which affects the GI tract and causes the oesophagus to end in a pouch rather than connecting normally to the stomach
it frequently occurs along with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)
What are the 4 types of oesophageal atresia?
A - the upper and lower segments of the oesophagus end in pouches, like dead-end streets which don’t connect, TEF is not present
B - the lower segment ends in a blind pouch, TEF is present on the upper segment - very rare type
C - upper segment ends in a blind pouch, TEF is present on the lower segment (MC)
D - TEF is present on both upper and lower segments (rarest type)
What other birth defects are associated with oesophageal atresia? x6
Trisomy 13, 18 or 21
Other GI tract problems e.g. intestinal atresia or imperforate anus
Congenital heart defects e.g. ventricular septal defect, TOF, PDA
Kidney/UT problems e.g. horseshoe or polycystic kidney, absent kidney or hypospadias
Muscular or skeletal problems
Tethered spinal cord
What are some signs and symptoms of oesophageal atresia? x4
frothy white bubbles in mouth
coughing or choking when feeding
blue colour of skin especially when feeding
difficulty breathing
What is the treatment for oesophageal atresia?
Surgery to reconnect the two ends of the oesophagus
Foker process (stimulation of the upper and lower ends of the oesophagus to make them grow inside the baby allowing them to be joined together after days or weeks)
What is the difference between atresia and stenosis?
atresia = complete obstruction
stenosis = partial obstruction resulting in a narrowing or stricture
Where is the most common site for intestinal atresia to occur?
Jejunum or ileum - jejunoileal atresia
What is seen on XR to indicate proximal small bowel atresia?
“double bubble” where there is dilated bowel and fluid in the baby’s stomach and part of the duodenum but no fluid beyond that point
What is polyhydramnios and how is it linked to intestinal atresia?
Polyhydramnios = increase in amniotic fluid which usually develops in the third trimester
Normally the baby is continuously swallowing and excreting (as urine) the amniotic fluid but with intestinal atresia there is a blockage so the baby is unable to process the fluid.
As a result the baby’s stomach and intestine dilate before the site of obstruction and the amniotic fluid accumulates within the uterine cavity.
What are the definitions of macrosomia and microsomia?
Macrosomia = large for gestational age where the weight of the newborn is more than 4.5kg at birth
Microsomia = small for gestational age where the foetus measures below the 10th growth centile for their gestational age
What are some causes of macrosomia? x6
constitutional
maternal diabetes
previous macrosomia
maternal obesity or rapid weight gain
overdue
male baby
What are the risks to the baby in macrosomia x5
birth injury
shoulder dystocia
neonatal hypoglycaemia
obesity in childhood and later life
T2DM in adulthood
What are some signs of hyperthyroidism in neonates? x6
irritability
weight loss
tachycardia
heart failure
diarrhoea
exophthalmos in first 2 weeks of life
What is defined as hypoglycaemia in neonates?
has been controversial but usually plasma glucose concentration of 2.5mmol/l or less
What are some signs/symptoms of hypoglycaemia in neonates? x10
hypotonia
lethargy
poor feeding
hypothermia
apnoea
irritability
pallor
tachypnoea
tachycardia or bradycardia
seizures
abnormal feeding behaviour
What are some risk factors for neonatal hypoglycaemia? x5
intrauterine growth restriction in term infants
infants less than 37 weeks gestation
maternal diabetes
macrosomic babies
mother taking B-blockers
What are the management steps for neonatal hypoglycaemia in term babies?
asymptomatic may be treated by increasing breastfeeding frequency, supplementing with a breast milk substitute, or IV glucose therapy - blood-glucose should always be rechecked in 1 hr post treatment to check efficacy.
symptomatic neonates should be treated immediately with IV glucose infusion
Which organisms commonly cause neonatal sepsis? x5
Group B strep
E. coli
Listeria
Klebsiella
Staph. aureus
What are some risk factors for neonatal sepsis?
vaginal GBS colonisation (MC)
GBS in a previous baby
maternal sepsis, chorioamnionitis or fever >38
prematurity
early rupture of membrane
prolonged rupture of membranes
What are some of the clinical features of neonatal sepsis? x10
fever
reduced tone and activity
poor feeding
respiratory distress or apnoea
vomiting
tachycardia or bradycardia
hypoxia
jaundice within 24hrs
seizures
hypoglycaemia
What are some of the red flags for neonatal sepsis/ x6
confirmed or suspected sepsis in the mother
signs of shock
seizures
term baby needing mechanical ventilation
RDS starting more than 4 hrs post birth
presumed sepsis in another baby in a multiple pregnancy
What are the NICE guidelines for starting antibiotics with suspected neonatal sepsis? which abx?
2+ risk factors or clinical features
1x red flag
Take blood cultures before giving
Give within 1hr of making decision to start them
check FBC and CRP
perform a lumbar puncture if infection is strongly suspected or there are features of meningitis
the recommended abx are benzylpenicillin and gentamycin 1st line
What are the signs of listeria infection in a neonate? what are some potential consequences of maternal listeria infection ?
meconium staining of the amniotic fluid
widespread rash
septicaemia
pneumonia
meningitis
maternal infection may cause spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery or foetal/neonatal sepsis
What antibiotics are indicated for listeria infection?
IV amoxicillin and gentamycin
What are cleft lip and cleft palate?
cleft lip = a congenital condition where there is a split or open section of the upper lip (can occur at any point along the top lip and extend as high as the nose)
cleft palate = defect in the hard or soft palate at the roof of the mouth which leaves an opening between the mouth and nasal cavity
can occur together or separately
What are the potential complications of cleft lip/palate?
significant problems with feeding, swallowing and speech
psychosocial implications including affecting bonding between mother and child
can be more prone to hearing problems, ear infections and glue ear
What is the definitive treatment for cleft lip/palate and at what age is it usually administered
cleft lip surgery - 3 months
cleft palate surgery - 6-12 months
What are some red flags for MSK injury in children? x9
unable to weight bear
fever
systemic illness
severe pain
worsening limp or pain
pain severe enough to wake the child at night
redness, swelling and stiffness
weight loss, anorexia
What is transient synovitis?
temporary irritation and inflammation in the synovial membrane of the hip joint
What is the most common presentation of transient synovitis>
well child aged 3-10 with acute/gradual onset limping, refusal to weight bear, groin/hip pain and mid/low grade temperature
recent viral upper respiratory track illness
What is the management and prognosis for transient synovitis?
Symptomatic treatment and exclusion of more concerning pathology (e.g. septic arthritis)
analgesia, anti-inflammatories
symptoms should significantly improve after 24-48hrs and fully resolve within 1-2 weeks without any lasting problems
can recur in around 20% of patients