Paediatrics Flashcards
What is the most common cause of croup?
Viral (most commonly parainfluenza virus)
How does croup initially present?
12-48 hours of non-specific cough, rhinorrhoea and fever.
What are the symptoms of mild croup?
Coryza
Fever
Seal-like barking cough
What are the symptoms of moderate croup?
Coryza Fever Seal-like barking cough Stridor Sternal recession
What are the symptoms of severe croup?
Coryza Fever Seal-like barking cough Stridor Sternal and intercostal recession Agitation Lethargy
What are the symptoms of impending respiratory failure in croup?
Increasing upper airway obstruction Sternal/intercostal recession Asynchronous chest wall and abdominal movement Fatigue Pallor/cyanosis Decreased level of consciousness
How is croup treated?
Single dose of oral dexamethasone - 0.15 mg per kg body weight
(If too unwell: inhaled budesonide (2 mg nebulised); or IM dexamethasone (0.6 mg per kg body weight))
Paracetamol/ibuprofen for fever and pain
How is severe upper airway obstruction in croup managed?
Nebulized adrenaline with oxygen via facemask
What are the symptoms of appendicitis in children?
Fever
Vomiting
Anorexia
Abdominal pain (central and colicky, then localises to RIF)
Persistent guarding and tenderness in RIF (often absent)
What is the risk with appendicitis in young children?
Perforation may be rapid as omentum is less well developed and fails to surround appendix
Late presentation or delayed diagnosis due to subtle or atypical signs
How is appendicitis managed in children?
Uncomplicated appendicitis -> appendicectomy
With generalised guarding (perforation) -> fluid resuscitation + IV Abx -> laparotomy
With palpable RIF mass and no signs of pertitonitis -> Abx for several weeks -> appendicectomy
What does the steeple sign on an x-ray indicate?
Croup
What is intussusception?
Invagination of proximal bowel into a distal segment.
Where is the most common location of intussusception?
Ileum passing through ileocaecal valve into caecum.
What is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in infants after the neonatal period?
Intussusception
What are the symptoms of intussusception?
Paroxysmal, severe, colicky pain (episodes of pain cause pallor and drawing up legs) Increasing lethargy Refusing feeds Vomiting ‘Redcurrant jelly’ stool
What are the clinical signs of intussusception?
Palpable sausage-shaped mass
Abdominal distension
Shock
What does ‘redcurrant jelly’ stool indicate?
Intussusception
What is the most serious complication of intussusception?
Stretching and constriction of the mesentery resulting in venous obstruction, causing engorgement and bleeding from the bowel mucosa, fluid loss, and subsequently bowel perforation, peritonitis, and gut necrosis.
What does the target/doughnut sign on an abdominal USS indicate?
Intussusception
What is the characteristic finding of intussusception on an abdominal USS?
Target/doughnut sign
What are the most common pathological lead points in intussusception?
Meckel’s diverticulum
Polyps
?Viral infection leading to enlargement of Peyer’s patches
How is intussusception initially managed?
‘Drip and suck’ - nasogastric tube and IV fluid resuscitation
How should intussusception with no signs of peritonitis be managed? What is the success rate of this intervention?
Reduction by rectal air insufflation, carried out by radiologist.
75% success rate.
What are the indications for laparotomy (reduction/resection) in intussusception?
Peritonitis Perforation High likelihood of pathological lead point Prolonged history (>24hrs) Failed rectal air insufflation
What is mesenteric adenitis?
Inflamed mesenteric lymph nodes in the abdomen.
What is the main cause of mesenteric adenitis in children.
Infection: usually viral; may be bacterial (e.g. Yersinia enterocolitica)
What are the symptoms of mesenteric adenitis?
Abdominal pain (umbilicus, RIF) Sore throat/coryza before onset of pain Fever Nausea Diarrhoea
What is the main differential diagnosis for mesenteric adenitis in children?
Appendicitis
How is mesenteric adenitis diagnosed?
No specific tests; often diagnosed in children with large mesenteric nodes and a normal appendix are seen on laparoscopy.
Define ’constipation’.
The infrequent passage of dry, hardened faeces, often accompanied by straining or pain and bleeding associated with hard stools.
What may cause constipation in children?
Dehydration or reduced fluid intake Anal fissure causing pain Problems with toilet training Anxiety about opening bowels at school or in unfamiliar toilets Underlying pathologies
What is the mechanism of overflow in constipation?
- Longstanding constipation
- Rectum becomes overdistended
- Loss of feeling the need to defecate
- Contractions of the full rectum inhibit the internal sphincter
- Involuntary soiling
After what age is soiling considered abnormal?
4 years old
How should constipation with overflow be managed pharmacologically?
- Evacuate overloaded rectum completely - disimpaction regimen - macrogol laxative, e.g. Movicol Paediatric Plain (+ stimulant laxative, e.g. senna, if not disimpacted after 2 weeks).
- Maintenance treatment to ensure ongoing, pain-free defecation - polyethylene glycol +/- stimulant laxative.
- Reduce dose of maintenance treatment over a period of months in response to improvement.
What conservative management can be used for constipation?
Sufficient fluid
Balanced diet
Sitting on toilet after mealtimes to utilise physiological gastronomic reflex
Behavioural interventions e.g. star chart
Red flag in constipation: Failure to pass meconium in first 24hrs of
Iife
Hirschsprung disease
Red flag in constipation: Faltering growth/growth failure
Hypothyroidism
Coeliac disease
Red flag in constipation: Gross abdominal distension
Hirschsprung disease
Other gastrointestinal dysmotility
Red flag in constipation: Abnormal lower limb neurology or deformity
Lumbosacral pathology
Sacral dimple above natal cleft, over spine - naevus, hairy patch, central pit, discoloured skin
Spina bifida occulta
Red flag in constipation: Abnormal appearance/position/patency of anus
Abnormal anorectal anatomy
Red flag in constipation: Perianal bruising or multiple fissures
Sexual abuse
Red flag in constipation: Perianal fistulae, abscesses, or fissures
Perianal Crohn’s disease
What is the most common pathogen causing UTI in children?
E. coli
What proportion of children with recurrent UTIs have a structural abnormality of the urinary tract?
Up to 50%
What may recurrent UTIs with pseudomonas indicate?
Structural abnormality of the urinary tract
What are the signs of symptoms of UTI in infants?
Fever Lethargy Irritability Poor feeding Vomiting Jaundice Offensive urine Faltering growth Septicaemia Febrile seizures (>6 months)
What are the signs of symptoms of UTI in children?
Fever +/- rigors Lethargy Febrile seizures Anorexia Vomiting Abdominal pain/loin tenderness Diarrhoea Dysuria, frequency and urgency Haematuria Offensive, cloudy urine Recurrence of enuresis
What is dysuria without fever and systemic involvement typically associated with?
Cystitis
Vulvitis in girls
Balanitis in boys
What is fever and systemic involvement in a UTI typically associated with?
Pyelonephritis
What is a differential diagnosis for symptoms associated with a UTI?
Sexual abuse
How should a child with positive leucocyte esterase and positive nitrite on a urine dipstick be managed?
Regard as a UTI and treat with antibiotics
Urine culture
How should a child with positive leucocyte esterase and negative nitrite on a urine dipstick be managed?
Start antibiotic treatment if clinical evidence of UTI
Diagnosis depends on urine culture
How should a child with negative leucocyte esterase and positive nitrite on a urine dipstick be managed?
Start antibiotic treatment if clinical evidence of UTI
Diagnosis depends on urine culture
How should a child with negative leucocyte esterase and negative nitrite on a urine dipstick be managed?
UTI unlikely so consider differential diagnoses
Repeat/send urine for culture if clinical history suggests UTI
How should an infant <3 months with a suspected UTI be managed?
Refer immediately to hospital and give IV antibiotics (e.g. co-amoxiclav) for 5-7 days, followed by oral prophylaxis
How should and infant >3 months with a UTI be managed?
Oral antibiotics (e.g. trimethoprim for 7 days) or IV antibiotics for 2-4 days followed by oral antibiotics for a total of 7-10 days.
How should a child with acute pyelonephritis / upper UTI be managed?
Oral antibiotics (e.g. trimethoprim for 7 days) or IV antibiotics for 2-4 days followed by oral antibiotics for a total of 7-10 days.
How should a child with cystitis / lower UTI be managed?
Oral antibiotics (trimethoprim/nitrofurantoin) for 3 days.
What are the differential diagnoses for acute respiratory distress in an infant?
Bronchiolitis Viral episodic wheeze Pneumonia Heart failure Foreign body Anaphylaxis Pneumothorax/ pleural effusion Metabolic acidosis Severe anaemia
What is the main pathogen causing bronchiolitis?
RSV (80%)
What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?
Initially coryzal symptoms, followed by a dry cough and increasing breathlessness.
What are the examination findings in bronchiolitis?
Dry wheezy cough Tachycardia Tachypnoea Cyanosis or pallor Hyperinflated chest (sternum prominent, liver displaced downwards) Subcostal and intercostal recession Fine end-inspiratory crackles High-pitched wheeze (expiratory > inspiratory)
What would indicate the need for hospital admission for an infant with bronchiolitis?
Oxygen saturation persistently <90% on room air
Apnoea
Inadequate oral fluid intake (50-75% of usual volume)
Severe respiratory distress (grunting, marked chest recession, RR > 70 breaths per minute)
How is bronchiolitis managed?
Supportive management
- Humidified oxygen via nasal cannulae or head box
- Monitor for apnoea
- Fluids (NG or IV)
- Assisted ventilation (CPAP or mechanical ventilation)
- Infection control
Why are children more susceptible to fluid loss than adults?
Children have a higher surface area to volume ratio and a higher basal metabolic rate, so require a much higher fluid intake per kilogram of body weight than adults, and may therefore become dehydrated if:
- they are unable to take oral fluids
- there are additional fluid losses due to fever, diarrhoea, or increased insensible losses (e.g. due to increased sweating tachypnoea)
- there is loss of normal fluid-retaining mechanisms, e.g. burns, the permeable skin of premature infants, increased urinary losses or capillary leak
What is the mechanism of Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
1/ Perinatal asphyxia: compromised gas exchange results in cardiorespiratory depression.
2/ Compromised cardiac output diminishes tissue perfusion, causing hypoxic-ischaemic injury to the brain and other organs.
3/ Results in brain damage, leading to disability or death.
What would you expect to see on the blood gas of a neonate with HIE?
Hypoxia
Hypercapnia
Metabolic acidosis
What events can result in HIE?
Failure of gas exchange across placenta, e.g. excessive/prolonged contractions, placental abruption
Interruption of umbilical blood flow, e.g. cord compression/prolapse
Inadequate maternal placental perfusion
Compromised foetus, e.g. IUGR, anaemia
Failure of cardiorespiratory adaptation at birth
How is moderate/severe HIE managed?
NICU
Mild hypothermia treatment (within 6 hours of birth)
Respiratory support (ventilator, CPAP)
Seizure monitoring and treatment
Treat hypotension - volume and inotrope support
Monitor and treat hypoglycaemia and electrolyte imbalance
What is cerebral palsy?
An umbrella term for a permanent disorder of movement and/or posture and of motor function due to a non-progressive abnormality of the developing brain.
Often accompanied by disturbances of cognition, communication, vision, perception, sensation, behaviour, seizure disorder, and secondary musculoskeletal problems.
What proportion of cases of cerebral palsy are caused by hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy?
~10%
What proportion of cases of cerebral palsy have an antenatal cause? What are antenatal causes of CP?
~80%
Cerebrovascular haemorrhage/ischaemia
Cortical migration disorders or structural maldevelopment of the brain
What are some postnatal causes of cerebral palsy?
Infection - meningitis, encephalitis Encephalopathy Head trauma Symptomatic hypoglycaemia Hydrocephalus Hyperbilirubinaemia
How might cerebral palsy present clinically?
Feeding difficulties (gagging, vomiting, oromotor incoordination, slow feeding)
Asymmetric head function
Abnormal limb and/or trunk posture and tone
Delayed motor milestones
Poor head control
Abnormal gait (e.g. tiptoes)
Only using one side of body
What are the categories of cerebral palsy?
Spastic (90%) - May be bilateral (diplegic or quadriplegic), unilateral, NOS
Dyskinetic (6%)
Ataxic (4%)
Other
Where is the lesion in spastic cerebral palsy?
Upper motor neurone pathway (pyramidal/corticospinal)
Besides hypertonicity, what features frequently accompany bilateral (quadriplegic) cerebral palsy?
Extensor posturing of trunk Poor head control Seizures Microcephaly Learning disability
What are the typical features of dyskinetic cerebral palsy?
Chorea - irregular, sudden and brief non-repetitive movements
Athetosis - slow writhing movements occurring more dismally
Dystonia - simultaneous contractions of agonist and antagonist muscles of the trunk and proximal muscles giving a twisted appearance
Which area of the brain is damaged in dyskinetic cerebral palsy?
Basal ganglia