Paediatrics Flashcards
Symptoms of mild-moderate allergic reaction?
- Angioedema (swelling of lips, face, eyes).
- Itchy / tingling mouth.
- Sudden change in behaviour.
- Hives or itchy skin rash.
- Abdominal pain or vomiting.
Signs of anaphylactic reaction?
- Airway: swelling, hoarseness, stridor, difficulty swallowing.
- Breathing: tachypnoea, wheeze, fatigue (use of accessory muscles or indrawing of intercostal muscles), cyanosis, SpO2 <92%, confusion.
- Circulation: pale, clammy, hypotension, faint, drowsy, coma.
What does of adrenaline should be administered IM to a child over 12 in anaphylaxis?
500 micrograms (0.5mL - i.e. the same as an adult).
What dose of adrenaline should be administered IM to a child 6-12 years old who is in anaphylaxis?
300 micrograms (0.3mL).
What dose of adrenaline should be administered IM to a child less than 6 years old who is in anaphylaxis?
150 micrograms (0.15mL).
How would you fluid challenge a child after administering IM adrenaline for anaphylaxis?
IV crystalloid 20mL/kg.
If crystalloid is cause of anaphylaxis then stop the IV
What advice would you give to the parents of a child with a new diagnosis of asthma with regards to bathing?
- Don’t use soap, bubble bath or shower gel.
- Use an emollient soap substitute instead.
- Minimise the amount of time shampoo spends in contact with skin.
Describe what an emollient is in layman’s terms.
Used to moisturise the skin, they can be used liberally and often - which is when they work best.
Explain how to use an emollient for eczema.
- wash hands prior to using.
- if using a tub without a dispenser - use a spoon to take it out the tub (reduces risk of infection).
- use 1-2x day applying in the direction of hair growth (downward) and avoiding rubbing back and forth.
- continue to use even when skin looks okay.
What warnings should you advise parents of when using emollients for eczema?
ointments containing white soft paraffin and emulsifying ointment are easily ignited - avoid flame and smoking and warn friends/ relatives to be careful.
What advice should you give to parents when using topical steroids for eczema?
- Apply only on affected areas i.e. itchy, red, rough skin.
- Use once daily and only when needed.
- One fingertip unit (i.e. from finger top to first joint) is enough to cover an area the size of two adult hands.
Explain why steroids are used in eczema in layman’s terms.
Steroids act on affected areas to reduce the inflammation of the skin. They are safe when used correctly and benefits outweigh risks.
What is physical abuse?
Causing physical harm to a child or young person (e.g. hitting, shaking, burning, suffocating, poisoning, fabricating or inducing illness).
What is emotional abuse?
Persistent emotional neglect or ill treatment that has a severe and persistent adverse effect on a child’s emotional development.
What is sexual abuse?
Any act that involves the child in any activity for the sexual gratification of another person regardless of the child’s consent or assent.
What is neglect?
Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs - likely to result in serious impairment of the child’s health or development.
Name child-specific factors that make children more vulnerable to physical abuse?
- First child in a family.
- Unwanted pregnancy.
- Male.
- Disabled or congenital abnormality.
- <2 years old.
- History of neglect.
Name familial factors that make children more vulnerable to physical abuse?
- Low socioeconomic status.
- Family insecurity or instability.
- Mental health problems in family.
- Illicit drug abuse.
- History of violence in family.
What investigations might be arranged to investigate non-accidental injury?
- CT brain.
- Skeletal survey.
- Ophthalmology review to look for retinal haemorrhages.
- Full clotting screen.
Who can report concerns to child protection?
ANYONE. You do not have to be certain but you are expected to explain why you are concerned.
How does a healthcare professional refer suspected abuse to child protection?
Usually by phone to the duty social worker and then follow up in writing.
If there is concern the child is in immediate danger, the police should be contacted.
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, what should you do as a healthcare professional?
Contact police.
As a medical student, if you suspect physical abuse while on placement, what should you do?
Speak to supervisor and block supervisor.
As a medical student, if you suspect physical abuse while NOT on placement, what should you do?
Contact the public child protection line.
Which features of bruising would raise suspicion of non-accidental injury?
- Child not yet independently mobile e.g. infants.
- Multiple bruises in one area of similar size and shape (fingertip-gripping, blunt force trauma, crushing).
- Bruises in the shape of a pattern or object.
- Bruising of a soft, non-bony area e.g. abdomen, bum, back, soft parts of arms, thighs.
- Head, ears, neck.
Bruising usually occurs as a result of?
- Blunt force impact e.g. a blow.
- Falling.
- Crushing.
- Pinching.
What kind of object would cause a tramline bruise?
Blunt, thin linear object e.g. mop handle, hairbrush handle, rod.
When does tramline bruising occur?
- When a linear object hits the skin it causes blood vessels either side of the object to stretch, tear and leak blood.
- The vessels underneath the object are compressed and so do not leak.
> Linear bruising with an area of central clearing.
How do a burn and a scald differ?
- Burn results from dry heat e.g. fire, iron, radiator.
- Scald results from wet heat e.g. hot oil, steam, boiling water.
Which tends to be more severe, burns or scalds?
Burns.
- Severity of which is measured by depth and extent.
Scalds tend to be less severe and often show blistering.
What features of a burn or a scald would raise suspicion of non-accidental injury?
- Child not yet mobile.
- On an area not normally coming into contact with hot objects e.g. dorsum of hands, feet, legs, buttock.
- Shape or patterned e.g. cigarette burns.
- Glove and stocking distribution on limbs or on buttocks, suggesting immersion scald.
Differentials for non-accidental injury?
- Bleeding disorders: clotting screen.
An abrasion superimposed on a bruise is likely to have been caused by what?
A blow with or a fall onto a blunt object.
Which type of rib fractures are especially associated with non-accidental injury?
Posterior rib.
What is a skeletal survey?
- Series of x-rays taken in a child with suspected NAI.
- Designed to detect occult fractures.
- Compulsory in suspected NAI of children <2 y/o.
What features of a skeletal survey would make you suspicious of NAI?
- Rib fractures (especially posterior).
- Metaphyseal corner fractures (bucket handle fracture - often caused by shaking).
- Skull fracture (especially if non-parietal).
- Any fractures in a non-mobile child.
- Multiple fractures.
- Fractures of different ages / stages of healing.
What is cradle cap?
Fungal infection in infants causing itching and scaling of the scalp.
When is a CT head indicated in suspected NIA?
Acute presentations if there are signs suggestive of intracranial injury or in infants <1 year old.
What is the “classic triad” of symptoms in a shaken child (NAI)?
- Bilateral retinal haemorrhages.
- Subdural haemorrhage.
- Encephalopathy.
Signs of non accidental head injury?
- Skull fracture.
- Extradural haemorrhage.
- Confusion and decreased consciousness.
- Bilateral retinal haemorrhages.
- Subdural haemorrhage.
- Encephalopathy.
True or false? Short distance accidental falls are commonly associated with skull fracture and intracranial injury.
False.
- Rarely cause skull fracture.
- Even more rarely cause intracranial injury.
A fracture occurring as a result of a short distance accidental fall would have what features?
Simple and linear with no depression and confined to one bone.
When do abrasions occur?
When the skin is crushed or scraped.
What kind of injury would be associated with being dragged along the carpet?
Abrasion - tangential contact with the floor is likely to scrape off parts of the epidermis.
How can you tell from an abrasion, in which direction someone was being dragged?
The more severe part of the abrasion suggests this part was leading and the less severe part suggests this part was following - giving us direction.
The presence of an abrasion indicates what about the timescale?
It is likely to have occurred recently.
They are superficial, heal quickly and don’t scar
What is a crush abrasion?
Abrasions which may leave a pattern depicting the object used.
What is a scrape abrasion?
Abrasion leaving skin tags and lines showing the direction of the injury.
What features of abrasions would make you suspicious of NAI?
- Presence on a non-mobile child.
- Symmetrical.
- On areas usually covered by clothing e.g. chest, back, axilla.
- On areas unlikely to be hit during play e.g. ears, eyes.
- Around ankles or wrists (e.g. possible ligature marks).
- Patterns or shapes.
What is the normal resting heart rate in an infant <1 y/o?
110-160bpm.
What is the normal resting heart rate in an infant 1-2 y/o?
100-150bpm.
What is the normal resting heart rate in a child 2-5 y/o?
95-140bpm.
What is the normal resting heart rate in a child 5-12 y/o?
80-120bpm.
What is the normal resting heart rate in a child >12 y/o?
60-100bpm.
What is the normal respiratory rate in an infant <1 y/o?
30-40 / min.
What is the normal respiratory rate in an infant 1-2 y/o?
25-35 / min.
What is the normal respiratory rate in a child 2-5 y/o?
25-30 / min.
What is the normal respiratory rate in a child 5-12 y/o?
20-25 / min.
What is the normal respiratory rate in a child >12 y/o?
15-20 / min.
What is the normal systolic blood pressure (mmHg) in an infant <1 y/o?
70-90 mmHg.
What is the normal systolic blood pressure (mmHg) in an infant 1-2 y/o?
80-95 mmHg.
What is the normal systolic blood pressure (mmHg) in a child 2-5 y/o?
80-100 mmHg.
What is the normal systolic blood pressure (mmHg) in a child 5-12 y/o?
90-110 mmHg.
What is the normal systolic blood pressure (mmHg) in a child >12 y/o?
100-120 mmHg.
Describe the head of an infant.
- Infants have a relatively large head (in comparison to their body) and a prominent occiput.
- Large surface area compared to volume.
What is the blood volume of a child?
80ml/kg.