Paediatrics 3 Flashcards
What are cavernous haemangioma?
Strawberry birth mark
What are risk factors for children having a strawberry naevus (cavernous haemangioma)?
Female infant, premature, those whose mothers underwent CVS sampling
What is the common sites of strawberry naevus? When might they have complications?
Common sites include the face, scalp and back. Rarely they may be present in the upper respiratory tract leading to potential airway obstruction
Are cavernous haemangioma permanent?
No: most go away by 9 years
What is capillary haemangioma?
Port wine stain; permanent reddish purple birthmark, often on the face
What are mongolian blue spots?
Blue-ish grey marks, commonly on non white babies
What are milia (milk spots)?
Sebaceous plugs: nothing to worry about
What condition might cafe au lait spots be associated with?
Neurofibromatosis 1
What are cafe au lait patches?
Neurofibromas. Skin coloured, raised nodules or papules with a smooth, regular surface
What size and number of neurofibromas can indicate neurofibromatosis?
more than 5, 15mm in diameter
What tumours may be associated with neurofibromas?
Brain tumours, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, GI stroma tumour, spinal cord tumours. Increased risk of many cancers
What is Reye’s syndrome?
Condition that arises from aspirin treatment of viral infections in children.
What is the presentation of Reye’s syndrome?
Abnormal liver function tests, vomiting and encephalopathy
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus
What is the presentation of molluscum contagiosum?
Small, flesh coloured papules that characteristically have a central dimple. Present in crops of multiple lesions in a local area
How is molluscum contagiosum treated?
No treatment, no isolation. Should avoid sharing towels, or other close contact
When does eczema typically present in children?
Before 2 years
What are the features of eczema (including distribution)?
Itchy, red rash. Infants: often face and trunk. Younger children: extensor surfaces. Older children: flexor surfaces and creases of face and neck
What is wet wrapping, and how/when is it done?
Severe childhood eczema. Large amounts of emollient (and sometimes topical steroids) applied under wet bandages
What is eczema herpeticum?
Viral skin infection in patients with eczema, caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus
What is the treatment of mild eczema?
Use of mild potency topical corticosteroid with a simple emoillent
What is stevens johnson syndrome?
Severe systemic reaction affecting skin and mucosa, almost always caused by a drug reaction
What can cause stevens-johnson syndrome?
Penicillin, sulphonamides, anti epileptic drugs, allopurinol, NSAIDs, OCP
What is the features of Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Rash which is typically maculopapular with target lesions. May develop into vesicles or bullae. Nikolsky sign positive in erythematous areas. Mucosal involvement. Systemic features
What percentage of the body is affecting in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis?
Generally, SJS affects less that 10% of body surface area whereas TEN affects more than 10% of body surface area
What is the pathophysiology of Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis?
Spectrum of the same pathology. Disproportionate immune response causes epidermal necrosis
What is the disease course of Stevens Johnson syndrome?
Prodrome of non specific systemic symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, sore mouth, sore eyes, itchy skin). Then purple/red rash, spreads across skin and blisters.
Skin breaks away, sheds, leaves raw tissue underneath. This can also happen on mucous membranes
What is the management of stevens johnson syndrome?
Medical emergency. Treatment includes steroids, immunoglobulins, immunosuppressant
What are potential complications of stevens johnson syndrome?
Secondary infection, permanent skin damage, visual complications (due to eye involvement)
What is urticaria?
Hives; small itchy lumps on the skin. Pale pink.
What is the pathophysiology of urticaria (hives)?
Caused by the release of histamine and other pro-inflammatory chemicals by mast cells in the skin
What causes acute/chronic hives?
Acute: allergic reaction
Chronic idiopathic: autoimmune response
What can trigger an acute hives reaction?
Any allergenic sort of things: food, medications, viral infections, insect bites
What is the pathophysiology of chronic urticaria?
Chronic urticaria is an autoimmune condition, where autoantibodies target mast cells and trigger them to release histamines and other chemicals. Causes localised vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
What is the treatment of urticaria?
- non sedating anti histamines are first link (fexofenadine)
- steroids in severe flares
What is angiodema? What condition is it associated with?
A variant of urticaria with significant swelling of subcutaneous tissues (often lips, eyelids, genitals, tongue, larynx)
What are potential complications of severe angioedema?
Can cause acute upper or lower respiratory tract obstruction and may be life threatening
What is the management of angioedema?
Facial oxygen, IM adrenaline, IV hydrocortisone, nebulised salbutamol
What is allergic rhinitis?
An inflammatory disorder of the nose, where the nose becomes sensitised to allergens such as house dust mites, grass, tree, pollens
What are the features of allergic rhinitis?
Sneezing, bilateral nasal obstruction, clear nasal discharge, post nasal drip, nasal pruritus
What is the treatment of allergic rhinitis?
Allergen avoidance and symptom relief (anti histamines, montelukast, intranasal steroids)
What shouldn’t nasal decongestants be used for a long time in allergic rhinitis?
Increasing doses are required to achieve the same affect. Rebound hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa may occur.
What is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in children?
Nuts
What is the definition of anaphylaxis as per the Resus Council UK?
the sudden onset and rapid progression of symptoms: airway, breathing, circulation problems
What ABC symptoms may occur in anaphylaxis?
Airway: swelling of the throat and tongue. Hoarse voice and stridor
Breathing: respiratory wheeze, dyspnoea
Circulation: hypotension, tachycardia
What skin and mucosal changes might be seen in anaphylaxis?
Generalised pruritus, widespread erythematous or urticarial
What dose of adrenaline should be given in <6 month olds?
100-150mg
What dose of adrenaline should be given in 6month- 6 year olds?
150mg
What dose of adrenaline should be given in 6-12 year olds?
300mg
What dose of adrenaline should be given in >12 years?
500mg
How often can adrenaline be given in anaphylaxis?
Every 5 mins
What is refractory anaphylaxis?
Respiratory/cardiovascular problems persisting despite 2 doses of IM adrenaline
What management should be given in refractory anaphylaxis?
IV fluids for shock, consideration of IV adrenaline infusion
What levels can be checked post anaphylaxis to determine if it was a true episode?
Serum mast cell tryptase: remain raised
What can be given to anaphylaxis patients with patients with persisting skin symptoms?
Non sedating oral anti histamines, with preference to chlorphenamine
Why should discharge be careful in anaphylaxis patients?
20% of patients have a biphasic reaction
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is anaphylaxis?
Type 1
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Life threatening deep tissue infection that spreads rapidly
What is the name for necrotising infection of the perineum?
Fournier’s gangrene
What most commonly causes necrotising fasciitis?
Mixed anaerobes and aerobes (often post usrgery in diabetes)
What causes type 2 necrotising fasciitis?
Streptococcus pyogenes
What are risk factors for necrotising fasciitis?
Recent trauma, burns, soft tissue infections, diabetes mellitus (especially if treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors), IV drug use, immunosupresion
What site is most commonly affected by necrotising fasciitis?
Perineum (Fournier’s)
What are the features of necrotising fasciitis?
Acute onset, pain+swelling+erythema at site, rapidly worsening cellulitis with pain out of keeping with physical features, tender over infected tissue. Late signs: skin necrosis, gas gangrene
What is the management of necrotising fasciitis?
Urgent surgical referral for debridement and IV abx
What karotype is associated with Klinefelter’s?
47 XXY
What are the features of Klinefelter’s syndrome?
Tall, lack of secondary sexual characteristics, small firm testes, infertile, gynaecomastia, elevated gonadotrophin levels but low testosterone
How is Klinefelter’s diagnosed?
Karotype (chromosomal analysis)
When do the symptoms of Klinefelters tend to appear?
Puberty
What conditions are those with Klinefelters at increased risk of?
Breast cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, anxiety and depression
What management can improve quality of life for those with Klinefelters?
Testosterone replacement therapy (can help development of male secondary sexual characteristics)
What is the karotype in Turner syndrome?
45 XO
What are features seen in Turners syndrome?
Short, webbed neck, high arching palate, broad chest with wide nipples, elbow abnormality, primary amenorrhoea
What genetic condition can cause neonatal lymphoedema in the feet?
Turners
What cardiac abnormalities are associated with Turner’s syndrome?
Bicuspid aortic valve, coartication of the aorta
What are the most serious long term health risks for women with Turner’s?
Aortic dilatation and dissection
What type of conditions are patients with Turner’s more at risk of?
Autoimmune: such as autoimmune thyroiditis and Crohn’s
Why are patients with Turner’s shorter than average?
There is underlying skeletal dysplasia. Ovarian dysgenesis and consequent gonadal failure result in loss of pubertal growth spurt
What renal abnormality is seen in patients with Turners?
Horseshoe kidney
What is the management to help with symptoms of Turner’s?
Growth hormone therapy to improve stature, oestrogen and progesterone replacement, fertility treatment
What is the karotype associated with down syndrome?
Trisomy 21(due to non disjunction during maternal oogenesis)
What are the clinical features of Downs?
- Face: upslanting palpebral fissure, epicanthic folds, Brushfield spots in iris, protruding tongue, small low set ears, flat occiput
- single palmar crease
- sandal gap between big and first toe
- hypotonia
- congenital heart issues
- duodenal atresia
- Hirschsprung’s
What are the possible cardiac complications of Down’s syndrome?
- endocardial cushion defect
- ventricular septal defect
- secundum atrial septal defect
- tetralogy of Fallot
- isolated patent ductus arteriosus
What leukaemia is associated with Down’s?
ALL
What are later complications of Down’s syndrome?
Subfertility, short stature, repeated respiratory infections, hypothyroidism, Alzheimer’s, atlantoaxial instability (assess in those who do sports with risk of dislocation), visual issues, deafness
What is the first line test for diagnosis of Down’s syndrome?
Combined test: ultrasound and maternal blood tests
What maternal blood tests are assessed in combined test for Down syndrome?
- b-HCG (higher=greater risk)
- pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPPA): lower indicates greater risk
When is the combined test for down’s syndrome performed??
Between 11 and 14 weeks gestation
When is the triple test performed for Downs syndrome?
Between 14 and 20 weeks
What is assessed in the triple test for Down’s?
Beta HCG, alpha feroprotein (lower=greater risk), serum oestriol (lower=greater)
When is the quadruple test for Down’s syndrome performed?
between 14 and 20 weeks
What is assessed in the quadruple test for down syndrome?
beta HCG, alpha fetoprotein, serum oestriol, inhibin-A
What is done if the combined, triple or quadruple test for down syndrome show an increased risk?
amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling
What is an alternative to invasive testing for Mum’s with higher risk of having a child with down’s syndrome?
NIPT: non invasive prenatal testing. Simple blood test from mother, which will contain some placental tissue and fetal DNA. This is assessed
What routine follow up investigations must be done in patients with down syndrome?
Regular thyroid checks, echocardiogram, regular eye checks, regular audiometry
What karyotype is associated with Edward’s syndrome?
Trisomy 18
What are the key features of Edward’s syndrome?
Micrognathia (small jaw), low set ears, rocker bottom feet, overlapping fingers
What are key complications of Edwards syndrome?
Only a few days life expectany. Heart defects
What karyotype is associated with Patau syndrome?
Trisomy 13
What key features are associated with Patau syndrome?
Microcephalic, small eyes. Cleft lip/palate, polydactyly, scalp lesions.
What genetic syndromes are all women offered screening for?
Edwards, Patau’s, Downs
What is the typical presentation of Fragile X syndrome?
Learning difficulties, macrocephaly, long face, large ears, macro-orchidism
How does Fragile X syndrome typically present?
Delay in speech and language development
Around what age is fragile X diagnosed?
Around 3 years old
What is Kallmann’s syndrome?
Recognised cause of delayed puberty secondary to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
How is Kallmann’s inherited?
X linked
What are the features of Kallmann’s syndrome?
Delayed puberty, cryptorchidism, anosmia (no smell/body odour), normal or above average height
What are the features of Angelman syndrome?
Fascination with water, happy demeanour, widely spaced teeth. Delayed development, learning disability, ataxia, inappropriate laughter, epilepsy, ADHD, microcephaly
What is the inheritance/mutation in Angelmans syndrome?
Impaired or absent function of the maternally imprinted UBE3A gene on chromosome 15
What is the key features of. Prader Willi syndrome?
Constant insatiable hunger (leads to obesity), hypotonia as infant, mild-moderate learning disability, hypogonadism, characteristic facial features (almond shaped eyes, narrow forehead, downturned mouth)
What treatment is offered in Prader Willi syndrome? and why?
Growth hormone: improves muscle development and body composition
What is the genetic cause of Prader Willi syndrome?
Chromosome 15, gene imprinting, gene deleted from father