Paediatrics Flashcards
What are some of the physiological differences seen in children?
Surface area:volume % water content Metabolic reserves Faster pulse, resp rate Lower blood pressure - maintained until very shocked.
- They more easily get cold, dehydrated, hypoglycaemic.
Describe Physiological differences in terms of Ketotic hypoglycaemia
6-7am hypoglycaemic episode. 1-2 year old. Skinny Intercurrent illness. Most common form of hypoglycaemia between 18 months to 5 years.
What is different in children’s immune system?
Trust nature.
Immune system remarkably robust.
MMR, unconjugated pneumococcal vaccine.
Need to have infection before become immune.
What are some of the chronic conditions with childhood onset?
Asthma Autism Cerebral palsy Cystic fibrosis Gastroschisis Hirschusprungs disease Spina bifida
What are the reasons for reduced mortality of children?
Obstetric care
Better housing
Better Nutrition
Immunisations
What are some of the immunisations?
Measles
diphtheria
Polio
Rotavirus
What happens usually when children are admitted?
Acute admissions typically <2 years. Typically respiratory Increasing referrals Mostly watchful waiting No evidence of increasing severity.
Whats the important thing to remember in child care?
Understanding range of normal allows you to understand what is abnormal.
If in doubt review.
What are the 4 points to reflect on in child medicine?
- Children are not naturally healthy and need the right environment to develop and thrive.
- What outcome? All child health outcomes are linked.
- Child health and wellbeing is influenced by non-NHS policies e.g. housing, education, environmental.
- Children and young people (CYP) are the future… adults, parents, workforce, carers, leaders.
What can determine health and well being of the child?
Health and wellbeing of the adult.
Intervene early!
- Lifestyle
- Resilience
What are the key development fields?
Gross Motor Fine Motor Social and Self help. Speech and language. Hearing and vision.
Why is development important?
Learning functional skills for later life.
Hone skills in a safe environment.
Allow our brain’s genetic potential to be fully realised.
Equip us with tools needed to function as older children and adults.
Many are completely automatic.
What are some of the influencing factors for development?
Genetics
Environment
Positive early childhood experience.
Developing brain vulnerable to insults - antenatal, post natal, abuse and neglect.
What are some of the adverse environmental factors?
Antenatal - infections (CMV, Rubella, Toxoplasmosis, VZV)
Toxins (alcohol, smoking, anti-epileptics)
Postnatal - Infection (Meningitis, encephalitis) Toxins (Solvents mercury, lead) Trauma (Head injuries) Malnutrition (iron, folate, VitD) Metabolic (Hypo/hyperglycaemia) Maltreatment Maternal mental health issues.
Good (sensitive) histories are therefore important.
What are the red flags to notice in development?
No social smile by 2 months. Not sitting unsupported by 9 months. Not walking unsupported by 18 months. No words by 2 years. Hearing loss. Persistent low muscle tone/floppiness.
What are the stages of childhood and at what age does it occur?
Neonate <4w Infant <12m/1yr Toddler about 1-2y Pre-school 2-5y School age Teenager / Adolescent
For milestones in children when would you think about a referral?
If not achieved by limit age (2 SDs from mean)
Correct for prematurity until 2 years.
What are the reference values for Weight, lenght and OFC at 1. Birth 2. 4 months 3. 12 months 4. 3 years.
- W - 3.3 L- 50 OFC - 35
- W - 6.6 L-60
- 12months W- 10 L-75 OFC-45
- 3years W-15 L-95
What does failure to thrive indicate?
Supply of energy and nutrients is less than the demand for energy and nutrients.
What are the causes of failure to thrive in early life?
Deficient intake:
Maternal:
Poor lactation, incorrectly prepared food, unusual milk or other feeds, inadequate care.
Infant:
Prematurity, small for dates, oro palatal abnormalities (cleft palate), neuromuscular disease (cerebral palsy), genetic disorders.
Increased Metabolic demands: Congenital lung disease Heart disease Liver disease Renal disease Infection Anaemia Inborn errors of metabolism Cystic fibrosis Thyroid disease Crohn's / IBD Malignancy
Excessive nutrient loss: Gastro oesophageal reflux Pylroic stenosis Gastroenteritis Malabsorption - food allergy, persistant diarrhoea, coeliac disease, pancreatic insuffiency, short bowel syndrome.
Non-medical causes of failure to thrive?
Poverty / socio-economic status. Dysfunctional family interactions. Difficult parent-child interactions. Lack of parental support. Lack of preparation for parenting/education. Child neglect. Emotional deprivation. Poor feeding or feeding skills disorder.
3 months - Gross motor
Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach.
Turns around when lying on front.
3 months - fine motor
Looks at and reaches for faces and toys.
Picks up toy with one hand.
3 months - Language
Cries in a special way when hungry.
Makes sounds - ah,eh.
Laughs out loud.