PAEDIATRICS Flashcards
What are the red flag symptoms in a child presenting with failure to thrive?
- Red features on traffic light
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Developmental delay
- Regression i.e. weight loss
What are some differentials for a child presenting with failure to thrive? List as many as possible
- PRE-NATAL
- prematurity, maternal malnutrition, congenital infections, IUGR, Toxin exposure in utero - INTAKE ISSUES
- cerebral palsy, chronic GORD, pyloric stenosis - MALABSORPTION
- Cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, Cow’s milk protein allergy, Lactose intolerance - METABOLIC DISORDERS
- Hypothyroidism, Diabetes mellitus - CONSTITUTIONAL DELAY
- Short parents, genetic predisposition - INADEQUATE FEEDS
- NEGLECT!
When does GORD tend to present in children? What symptoms shall they have?
Typically develops before 8 weeks
- vomiting/regurgitation following feeds
How are children with GORD managed?
- Position during feeds - 30 degrees head up
- Sleep on backs still (decreases risk of cot death)
- Ensure not being overfed + consider smaller, frequent feeds
- Trial of thickened formula or alginate therapy - but never both!
- Only use PPI or H2 antagonist if at least one of:
- Unexplained feeding difficulties
- Distressed behaviour
- Faltering growth - If severe complications (e.g. FTT) + medical treatment is ineffective fundoplication may be considered
What are the 3 main consequences of cystic fibrosis?
- Thick pancreatic + biliary secretions = causes blockage of ducts, resulting in a lack of digestive enzymes (e.g. pancreatic lipase in digestive tract)
- Low volume thick airway secretions that decrease airway clearance resulting in bacterial colonisation + susceptibility to airway infections
- Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens in males. They have healthy sperm but no way of getting from testes to ejaculate => male infertility
What are the signs + symptoms of CF?
SYMPTOMS:
- Chronic cough, thick sputum, recurrent RTIs, steatorrhoea, abdo pain + bloating, child has concentrated salt in sweat, poor weight + height (failure to thrive)
SIGNS:
- Low weight/height on growth charts, nasal polyps, finger clubbing, crackles + wheeze on auscultation, abdominal distension
How is cystic fibrosis diagnosed?
- Newborn blood spot testing picks up most cases
2. Chloride sweat test is gold standard (over 60mmol/L)
How is cystic fibrosis managed?
- Chest physio several times/day to clear mucus + decrease risk of infection
- Exercise
- High calorie diet
- Creon tablets - to digest fats in pts with pancreatic insufficiency
- Prophylactic flucloxacillin
- Treat chest infections when they occur
- Bronchodilators
- Nebulised DNAse can be secretions less viscous + easier to clear
- Nebulised hypertonic saline
- Vaccinations - pneumococcal, influenza + varicella
What monitoring is required in patients with CF?
Followed up in specialist clinics every 6 months
Require regular monitoring of sputum for colonisation
- screening also needed for diabetes, osteoporosis, vit D deficiency and liver failure
What is the prognosis for patients with CF?
Life expectancy is IMPROVING + is currently is 47 years
- 90% develop pancreatic insufficiency
- 50% of adults with CF develop CF related diabetes
- 30% adults with CF develop liver disease
How is coeliacs disease diagnosed?
Jejunal biopsy showing subtotal villous atrophy
- anti-EMA and anti-gliadin antibodies are useful screening tests
What are the extra-intestinal features of IBD?
- Clubbing
- Erythema nodosum
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
- Episcleritis + iritis
- Inflammatory arthritis
- PSC (only really in UC)
What investigations would you perform in a child with suspected IBD?
- Blood test for anaemia, infection, thyroid, kidney + liver function
- Faecal calprotectin
- Endoscopy (OGD + colonoscopy) with biopsy is gold standard
- Imaging - US, CT + MRI to look for complications
How is UC managed in kids?
Inducing remission:
1st = aminosalicylates (mesalazine oral or rectal)
2nd = corticosteroids
If severe use IV corticosteroids (hydrocortisone)
Maintaining:
- aminosalicylates (mesalazine)
- azathioprine
- mercaptopurine
How is Crohns managed in kids?
Inducing remission:
1st = steroids
2nd = add immunosupressant meds (azathioprine, methotrexate)
Maintaining:
1st = azathioprine/mercaptopurine
Alternatives = methotrexate, infliximab, adalimumab
What investigations should be performed in children with suspected diabetes?
- Routine bloods
- Blood cultures
- Hb1Ac
- TFTs + TPO for thyroid condition
- tTG antibodies for coeliacs
- Insulin antibody, anti-GAD + islet cell antibody
What are the red flag symptoms in a child presenting with a rash?
- Non-blanching rash
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Photophobia
- Generally unwell
Give an example of a steroid for each level of the ladder (from mild to very potent)
Mild = Hydrocortisone 0.5%, 1% and 2.5%
Moderate = eumovate (clobetasone butyrate) 0.05%
Potent = Betnovate (betametasone 0.1%)
Very potent = Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%)
What is guttate psoriasis?
Transient psoriatic rash frequently triggered by strep infection
- multiple red, teardrop lesions appear on body
What are the 2 main types of contact dermatitis?
- Irritant contact dermatitis = common
- non-allergic reaction due to weak acids/alkalis
- often on hands
- erythema, crusting, (vesicles are rare) - Allergic Contact Dermatitis = type IV hypersensitivity
- uncommon, often seen on head following hair dyes
- acute weeping eczema
- treatment = topical potent steroid
How do you manage seborrhoeic dermatitis on (i) scalp (ii) Face + body?
(i) OTC meds containing zinc pyrithione (head + shoulders) + tar (T gel Neutrogena)
(ii) Topical antifungals = ketoconazole
- topical steroids, best for short periods
- more tricky to treat, recurrence is common
What is the infectivity period of VZV (chickenpox)?
Infectivity = 4 days before rash until 5 days after rash appeared
How long should children remain off school if they have chickenpox?
Until all the lesions are dry + have crusted over
- usually about 5 days after onset of rash
What are the clinical features of cellulitis?
Commonly on shins
- erythema, pain, swelling
- may be some associated systemic upset e.g. fever
How is cellulitis managed?
Diagnosis is CLINICAL
Mild/moderate = Flucloxacillin. If allergic to penicillin use clarithromycin, erythromycin (use in pregnancy) or doxycycline
Severe = co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime, clindamycin or ceftriaxone
What are the clinical features of CROUP?
Seal-like barky cough, stridor, respiratory distress
- symptoms worsen with agitation
- typically kids 6months to 3 years in late Autumn
How is croup diagnosed?
CLINICALLY
- do NOT perform ENT exam as can precipitate worsening obstruction
How do you manage croup? (i) MILD (ii) MODERATE (iii) SEVERE?
(i) MILD (no stridor at rest)
1. Dexamethasone 0.15mg/kg
- review after 2-hours
- can repeat dose every 12 hours
(ii) MODERATE (stridor + sternal recession at rest)
1. Nebulised adrenaline 5ml 1:1000
2. Dexamethasone or Budesonide if severe hypoxia/vomiting/respiratory distress
(iii) SEVERE (agitation/lethargy)
1. Nebulised adrenaline 5ml 1:1000
2. Corticosteroids
3. Intubation if impending respiratory failure
What organism most commonly causes bronchiolitis?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
What are the symptoms of bronchiolitis?
At worst between days 3 and 5
- early symptoms = blocked/runny nose, cough + slightly high temp
- Signs of respiratory distress
- Dyspnoea, tachypnoea
- Poor feeding, fever less than 39 degrees
- Apnoeas = episodes where child stops breathing
- Wheeze + crackles on auscultation
How is bronchiolitis diagnosed?
Made clinically
- if uncertain, immunofluorescence of nasopharyngeal secretions may show RSV
How is bronchiolitis treated?
SUPPORTIVE management. Should clear within 2-3 weeks
- ensure adequate intake of food + fluids
- saline nasal drops + nasal suctioning can help clear secretions
- oxygen if sats remain below 92%
- ventilatory support if required
What is the difference between viral induced wheeze + asthma?
VIW will:
- present before 3yrs age
- No atopic hx
- only occurs during viral infections
Note: asthma can be triggered by bacterial/viral infections but also has other triggers e.g. exercise, cold weather, dust + strong emotions
How is viral induced wheeze treated?
Managed the same as that for ACUTE ASTHMA
- Salbutamol via spacer
- Intermittent Montelukast and/or intermittent corticosteroids
What investigations are required to diagnose asthma in children?
- Spirometry with reversibility testing in children over 5y
- Direct bronchial challenge test with histamine or metacholine
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide
- Peak flow variability - measured by keeping diary of measurements taken severe times a day for 2-4 weeks
How is asthma managed in under 5s?
- SABA
- SABA + 8-week trial of moderate dose ICS
- if symptoms did not resolve consider alterative ddx
- if symptoms stopped then returned within 4wks of stopping ICS, restart at low-dose ICS
- if symptoms resolved but return after more than 4wks, repeat 8-week trial again - SABA + low dose ICS + LTRA (Montelukast)
- Stop LTRA + refer to paediatric asthma specialist
How is asthma managed in children aged 5-16 yrs?
- SABA
- SABA + low dose ICS
- if not controlled on previous step OR newly diagnosed asthma with symptoms for 3 or more times/week or night time waking - SABA + low dose ICS + LTRA (Montelukast)
- stop LTRA if it doesn’t help - SABA + low-dose ICS + LABA
- SABA + switch LABA/ICS to MART using low dose ICS
- SABA + moderate dose ICS in MART
- SABA + one of following options:
- increase ICS to high-dose
- trial additional drug (theophylline)
- advice from paeds asthma specialist
What are the most common causes of pneumonia in children?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and
RSV
How is pneumonia managed in children?
7-day course of amoxicillin
- add macrolide (erythromycin/clarithromycin) if no response or chlamydia/mycoplasma
- if penicillin allergic give erythromycin or clarithromycin
Oxygen to maintain sats above 92%
What is bronchiectasis?
Permanent dilatation of bronchi due to destruction of muscular components of bronchial wall
- recurrent pulmonary infection leads to progressive bronchial damage
What are some risk factors for developing bronchiectasis in children?
- CF
- Immunodeficiency
- Previous infections
- Congenital disorders of bronchii
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
What is the gold standard investigation to diagnose bronchiectasis?
High-resolution CT
- dilatation of bronchi
- thickened airways
- cysts
How do you manage children with bronchiectasis?
- Exercise + improved nutrition
- Airway clearance therapy
- Inhaled bronchodilator e.g. salbutamol
- Inhaled hyperosmolar agent e.g. hypertonic saline (inh)
What can pseudomonas colonisation be treated with long term?
Nebulised tobramycin
What are the 3 shunts in a foetus which allow blood to bypass the lungs?
- Ductus venosus = connects umbilical vein to IVC + allows blood to bypass liver
- Foramen ovale = connects RA with LA + allows blood to bypass RV + pulmonary circulation
- Ductus arteriosus = connects pulmonary artery with aorta + allows blood to bypass pulmonary circulation
What keeps the ductus arteriosus open?
Prostaglandins
What closes the ductus arteriosus?
Increase in blood oxygenation causes a DROP in prostaglandins
What are the characteristics of an innocent murmur? (HINT: the 5 S’s)
- Soft
- Short
- Systolic
- Symptomless
- Situation dependent - particularly if it gets quieter with standing or only appears when child is unwell/feverish
What are features of a murmur which would prompt further investigations + referral to paediatric cardiologist?
- Murmur louder than 2/6
- Diastolic murmurs
- Louder on standing
- Other symptoms e.g. failure to thrive, feeding difficulty, cyanosis or SOB
What are the differentials for a pan-systolic murmur in children?
- Mitral regurgitation heard loudest at mitral area
- Tricuspid regurgitation heard loudest at tricuspid area
- VSD loudest at lower left sternal border
What are the differentials for an ejection systolic murmur in children?
- Aortic stenosis - aortic area
- Pulmonary stenosis - pulmonary area
- HOCM - heard at 4th ICS on left sternal border
What murmur is it in an ASD?
Mid-systolic, crescendo-decrescendo murmur
- with a fixed split second heart sound
What murmur is heard in PDA?
If small, heart sounds may be normal
- if significant, they cause a normal first heart sound with continuous crescendo-decrescendo ‘machinery’ murmur which may continue to second heart sound
What murmur is heard in tetralogy of fallot?
Murmur arises from pulmonary stenosis => ejection systolic murmur