Paediatrics Flashcards
What are the main 3 types of anaemia? State the mass of the RBC in each
Microcytic: <80
Normocytic: 80-100
Macrocytic: >100
State the causes of microcytic anaemia
Fe2+ deficient anaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Thalassemia
State the causes of normocytic anaemia
Increased reticulocytes: haemolytic anaemia, blood loss
Decreased reticulocytes: bone marrow disorder
State the causes of microcytic anaemia
Megaloblastic: Vitamin B12/folate deficiency
Non-megaloblastic: alcohol abuse/chronic liver disease, hypothyroidism
State the 3 main groups of causes of anaemia in infants + children
- Impaired RBC production inc. red cell aplasia + ineffective erytropoiesis
- Increased RBC destruction (haemolysis)
- Blood loss
State 4 causes of increased RBC destruction
- RBC membrane disorders: inherited spherocytosis
- RBC enzyme disorders: G6PD
- Haemoglobinopathies: SCA
- Immune [neonates]
State some common serious bacterial infections causing fever in children/infants
Sepsis Pneumonia Meningitis UTI Osteomyelitis
State some common less serious infections causing fever in children/infants
Otitis media
Tonsilitis
Lower RTIs
Gastroenteritis
What other infectious conditions can cause fever in children?
HIV
TB
Malaria
Typhoid
State 5 non-infectious causes of fever
AI/inflammatory disorders: SLE, JIA, Kawasaki’s disease, vasculitides
Malignancy: leukaemia, lymphoma
An infant under 3 months presents with a fever. What series of tests must you perform?
FULL SEPTIC SCREEN
What investigations are performed under a septic screen?
FBC U&Es Blood cultures Urine MC&S CXR Lumbar puncture
Why would you do a urine MC&S for a child with a fever?
RULE OUT UTI
Why might you do a blood gas in a child with a fever?
Indicate respiratory compromise + sepsis (acidosis)
What ABx would you commence in a neonate with suspected meningitis?
IV CEFTRIAXONE + AMOXICILLIN [listeria cover]
What ABx would you commence in an infant/child with suspected meningitis?
IV CEFTRIAXONE
What ABx would you commence in an infant >3months with suspected uncomplicated UTI ?
Trimethoprim or
Nitrofurantoin
What is a UTI?
Bacterial colonisation of the urinary tract
>10*5 CFU/ml of urine
What is the most common cause of UTI?
E.coli
State some other causative pathogens of UTI in children
Klebsiella
Proteus mirabilis [boys]
Pseudomonas [structural abnormality]
Strep.faecalis
What is the most common way for bacteria to colonise the UT?
Bowel flora ascend up the urethra
State some of the features of an atypical UTI
Sepsis/IV ABx No response to treatment within 48hrs Non-E.coli cause Increased creatinine/decreased GFR Poor urine flow Abdominal/bladder mass
Why are UTIs potentially significant in children?
High risk of recurrence
50% have structural abnormality
Long-term complications e.g. CKD
Acute illness
State 3 risk factors for UTI
Female
Previous UTI
Vesico-ureteric reflux
Anatomical abnormality
How do infants typically present with UTIs?
Non-specific symptoms
FEVER, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, poor feeding, offensive smelling urine, septicaemia
How do children typically present with UTIs?
Older the child, more specific the UTI symptoms Abdominal/loin pain Dysuria Frequency Haematuria Fever Foul smelling urine \+ non-specific symptoms
What is the screening investigation for a UTI?
Urine dipstick
What is the gold-standard screen for UTI?
Urine microscopy, culture + sensitivity with clean catch urine sample
What is the outcome if the dipstick is leucocyte esterase + nitrite positive?
Treat as UTI, commence ABx
What is the outcome if the dipstick is leucocyte esterase + nitrite negative ?
Unlikely to be UTI
What is the outcome if the dipstick is leucocyte esterase positive + nitrite negative?
Send urine sample for MC&S
What is the outcome if the dipstick is leucocyte esterase negative + nitrite positive?
Treat as UTI, commence ABx
Send urine sample for MC&S
What are the indications for further testing with an USS? What can you see from this?
<6 months old, atypical or recurrent UTI
Structural abnormalities + urinary obstruction
If abnormalities are found on the USS, what other investigations might be performed?
- Micturating Cystourethrogram (MCUG): illustrates vesicle-ureteric reflux
- DMSA: perform 3-6 months after UTI, illustrates renal scarring
What is the management of an infant <3months with a UTI?
Paediatric referral
IV Amoxicillin + Gentamycin (swap to PO when temperature decrease)
What is the management of an infant/child >3months with an uncomplicated UTI?
PO Trimethoprim/Nitrofurantoin
What is the management of a child > 3months with suspected acute pyelonephritis?
PO CEFALEXIN/CO-AMOXICLAV
What is croup?
Infectious paediatric emergency characterised by inflammation of the trachea + larynx. Mucosal inflammation + increased secretions
What is the most common cause of croup?
Parainfluenza
What cohort of PTs does croup often affect? During what time of year?
6months-6yo children
Spreads during autumn most commonly
Give an overview of the onset of croup
Onset over 1-2 days starting with prodromal phase:
- Nasal congestion + discharge)
- Fever (low-grade)
What are the 3 characteristic clinical features of croup?
BARKING COUGH
INSPIRATORY STRIDOR
HOARSE VOICE/CRY
What may indicate a case of mild croup is worsening?
Tachypnoea/dyspnoea
Chest recessions
Tachycardia
What may indicate a case of croup is very severe and potentially life-threatening?
Severe tachypnoea/dyspnoea
Cyanosis
Head bobbing
Bradycardia
A child presents with symptoms of croup. He has good air-entry and is alert. No recessions or stridor evident. How will you manage this PT?
PO DEXAMATHASONE
If PT improves, manage PT at home
A child presents with a barking cough, hoarse cry and severe chest recessions. He appears short of breath. You diagnose croup. How will you manage this PT?
Hospitalise PT
OXYGEN THERAPY
PO DEXAMETHASONE
If PT does not improve give NEBULISED ADRENALINE
What must you not do to a PT with acute upper AWs obstruction?
Examine throat
When might you consider intubation in a child with severe croup?
Severe respiratory distress e.g. cyanosis/head-bobbing/bradycardia/altered mental status
What is acute epiglottitis?
Rapidly progressive inflammation of the epiglottis resulting in respiratory obstruction
Paediatric emergency
What is the main cause of acute epiglottitis?
Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB)
Who does acute epiglottitis tend to affect?
PI: 1-6yo
Remember: can also affect adults
What are the main symptoms of epiglottitis?
Drooling
Dysphagia
Painful throat
Fever (high-grade)
State some of the signs you might expect in a PT with acute epiglottitis
TOXIC/VERY ILL DISTRESSED CHILD
Tripod position
Struggle to speak
Inspiratory stridor
What is mean by a tripod posture? What condition does it often present it?
Acute epiglottitis
PT sits upright, leaning forward with mouth open
A child presents drooling and unable to swallow or speak. He is in the classic “tripod position”. How do you manage him?
EMERGENCY, DO NOT DELAY TREATMENT
ITU + secure airway
Blood cultures
IV CEFTRIAXONE
A child with acute epiglottitis has two brothers. They have not been immunised against HiB. What might you give them as prophylaxis?
RIFAMPICIN
What is bronchiolitis?
Infection + subsequent inflammation of the bronchioles (lower RT)
Viral LRTI
What is the main cause of bronchiolitis? Compare this to croup
Bronchiolitis = RSV Croup = Parainfluenza
Who does bronchiolitis tend to affect?
Children < 2yo
PI: 3-6 months
Give an overview of the progression of symptoms in bronchiolitis
Day 1-2: coryzal/prodromal phase, virus has infects epithelia of upper respiratory tract
Day 3-5: symptoms + signs are worst at this time, virus has infected lower AW epithelia
Day 6: child will improve
State 3 risk factors for severe bronchiolitis
- Prematurity
- CF
- Heart/lung disease
- Immunodeficiency
Give an overview of the pathophysiology of bronchiolitis
Inflammation of SM+ mucus build up–> AW obstruction
Air diffuses into blood–> AW collapse
Air trapped by obstruction
What symptoms may a PT experience in the coryzal phase of bronchiolitis?
Fever (low-grade) Runny nose (rhinorrhoea)