Paediatrics Flashcards
What are the 3 shunts in the foetal circulation and what do they do?
Ductus arteriosus- connects pulmonary artery to aorta allowing bypassing of lungs
Ducuts venosus- connects umbilical veins directly to IVC –> right side of heart bypassing liver
Foramen ovale: shunts blood from RA–> LA directly bypassing RV, pulmonary arteries and lungs
Talk through the foetal circulation
Aorta pumps blood from LV to the foetal body. Some of it goes into the umbilical arteries which take it to the placenta for nutrients to be gained and waste exchanged. This oxygenated blood then travels via the ductus venosus to the IVC –> RA (bypassing liver). In the heart: the foramen ovale shunts the blood from RA–> LA –> LV and out the aorta bypassing lungs but also some does go to RV and pulmonary arteries where ductus venosus directs its to the aorta again bypassing lungs.
What happens at first breath in a foetus? And what triggers cause the 3 shunts in a foetus to close (foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus, Ductus venosus)
Resistance to pulmonary blood flow decreases at first breath and volume of blood through the lungs increases. The pressure in LA (which was v low before due to no blood returning from lungs in foetus) now increases and pressure in RA decreases as placenta is removed (less blood coming there). This change in pressure triggers the foramen ovale to close and the decrease in prostaglandins when placenta is removed stimulate the closure of ductus arteriosus. Ductus venosus closes itself when placenta is removed.
Is a left to right shunt in congenital heart disease blue or breathless? What are examples of this type of shunt?
L–> R - too much O2 blood going to lungs
Breathless - HF sx
Examples: ASD, VSD, PDA
Is a right to left shunt in congenital heart disease blue or breathless? What are examples of this type of shunt?
R–> L- do2 blood going round body
Blue - cyanotic
Examples: ToF, TGA
What is an example of a mixed congenital heart disease?
AVSD
What congenital heart disease is most associated with Down’s syndrome?
AVSD
And VSD
What congenital heart disease is most associated with Turner’s syndrome?
Coarcation of the aorta Aortic stenosis (Biscupid aortic valve)
A little 6 month old has a routine check up. The doctor can hear a soft blowing systolic murmur on the left sternal edge. The murmur is heard louder when the baby lies down and rolls over. Mother says baby has been very well recently with no signs of shortness of breath. What is the likely diagnosis?
Innocent murmur
4 S’s- soft, systolic only, left sternal edge and asymptomatic
Varies with posture.
No added sounds or thrills.
What are some symptoms of heart failure in an infant?
SOB especially on feeding/exertion Poor feeding Faltering growth /poor weight gain Tachypnoea, tachycardia Right heart failure: oedema, hepatomegaly (right side backs up into hepatic veins)
What happens in Eisenmenger’s syndrome?
Untreatred left to right shunt causes high pulmonary blood flow and vascular resistance. This causes the pulmonary arteries to become thick walled and chronically raised pulmonary pressures. Then the shunt reverses (right to left) and the patient becomes blue/cyanotic (usually around teens). Need a heart and lung transplant to treat.
A 2 year old child presents to clinic for a review. Mother reports no changes since the last review, he has been eating and drinking well, growing correctly. He has had a couple of chest infections though but these have gone away without requiring treatment. On examination of chest- you hear an ejection systolic murmur best over upper left sternal edge and a wide fixed split S2. What is the likely diagnosis and what investigation would you want to do?
Atrial septal defect: L–R shunt causes increased flow over the pulmonary valve : ESM over upper left sternal edge and split S2.
usually asymptomatic.
Ix: CXR (might have HF signs), ECHO
A 1 week year old baby has been bought in by his mother because she is worried he is struggling to get through his feeds without getting short of breath and he is not eating as well or growing properly. On examination of the chest you notice the baby is tachycardia and tachypnoeic, and there is a soft pansystolic murmur heard best over the lower left sternal edge and a loud pulmonary sound. What is the likely diagnosis and what investigations do you want to do?
Ventricular septal defect: L-R shunt causing Heart failure symptoms.
Ix: CXR- heart failure signs (ABCDE), ECG, ECHO
How do you treat a VSD? How does it differ if small VSD or large VSD?
Small VSDs will close spontaneously
Large VSDs: Tx heart failure with ACEi, diuretics. may need higher calorie feeds. Surgery at 3-6 months if uncontrolled.
What is a PDA and what happens in the shunt?
Patent ductus arteriosus (which connected pulmonary artery to aorta in foetal circulation)
Left to right shunt so blood travels from aorta to pulmonary artery
A 1.5 month old baby presents with clinic for review. Mother reports no symptoms at all apart from some poor feeding. She was quite a pre-term baby. On examination of the chest, you hear a continuous machinery like murmur beneath the left clavicle and a maybe you can feel a collapsing pulse. What is the likely diagnosis and what investigations will you do?
Patent ductus arteriosus. - failure to close by 1 month
Usually asymptomatic- may have some HF signs eg. poor feeding
Continuous machinery murmur
Ix: CXR- might show HF signs, ECG, ECHO
How do you treat a PDA?
NSAIDs- indomethacin
If this doesnt work- surgery.
What are the components of Tetralogy of Fallot?
- VSD
- Overriding aorta
- Pulmonary stenosis
- RVH
What genetic condition is associated with ToF?
Di-George (22q deletion)
What symptoms are associated with ToF?
Cyanosis, collapse
Can get hyercyanotic spells- rapid increase in cyanosis –> hypoxia, pallor, SOB, crying
What murmur do you hear with ToF?
Ejection systolic murmur at the left sternal edge
What investigations would you do with ToF and what might you see??
CXR: LVH –> ‘boot shaped heart’
ECG
Echo
How do you treat ToF and how do you treat the hyper cyanotic spells?
ToF: need surgery to close the VSD
Hypercyantoic spells: if doesnt stop after 15 mins: analgesia, sedation, IV propranolol, IVF, bicarb (acidosisP)
You are bleeped to come and see a neonate aged day 2 who is looking extremely blue. You can’t hear any murmurs on listening to the heart but the baby is very hypoxic and crying. What could be the likely diagnosis?
Transposition of the great arteries- severe cyanosis at day 2 where ductus arteriosus closes
What happens in Transposition of the great arteries?
Pulmonary artery and the aorta swap. Aorta is connected to the LV (carrying deO2 blood to the body) and pulmonary artery is connected to the RV (oxygenated blood is going to the lungs)
Life threatening hypoxia usually starts on day 2 where ductus arteriosus closes and stops mixing of do2 and o2 blood.
What investigations and management is indicated in Transposition of the great arteries?
Ix: CXR (egg on string- narrow mediastinum + cardiomegaly ), ECG, ECHO
Mx: prostaglandin infusion to maintain the ductus arteriosus until surgery. Definitive: switch vessels in surgery.
A little baby aged 2w old presents to clinic as his mother is very worried. He has been short of breath on feeds, not feeding as well, and not thriving. He has a PMH of Down’s syndrome. You can’t hear a murmur on examination. What is the likely diagnosis?
AVSD: mixing- breathless and blue
At birth: cyanotic. 2-3w: HF symptoms
Common in Down’s
How will you investigate and treat AVSD?
Ix: ECG- superior axis, CXR- HF signs, Echo
Tx: Tx HF- diuretics, ACEi, BB, increase calorie intake. surgical repair at 3-6m
A baby has been cyanotic on birth. on echo you see a large right atrium and a very small right ventricle. What is the diagnosis?
Ebstein’s anomaly- tricuspid leaflets attach abnormally and sit posteirorly–> doesnt stop back flow of blood: RA becomes big and RV is tiny. Surgery to treat.
A baby has been cyanotic on birth. on echo you see a very small RA and RV. What is the diagnosis?
Tricuspid atresia- only LV works properly - cyanosis. Surgery to treat.
What are the symptoms of aortic stenosis?
Can be asymptomatic
If large: can cause SOB, syncope, chest pain and reduced exercise tolerance.
What murmur is heard in aortic stenosis?
ESM in the upper right sternal edge radiating to carotids
What is the investigation and treatment in aortic stenosis?
CXR- may show prominent LV (dilates due to aortic valve stenosis)
ECG- LVH
Surgery to treat
What are the symptoms of pulmonary stenosis?
usually very stable patients.
What murmur is heard in pulmonary stenosis?
ESM over the left upper sternal edge, radiates to baackl
What is the investigation and treatment in pulmonary stenosis?
CXR- RVH, ECG- RVH
Tx: surgery
You have been bleeped to come and see this very unwell child. She is very hypotensive and tachycardic and is in shock. She has a PMH of Turner’s syndrome. You have asked for oxygen sats and BP to be repeated. BP in the right arm is greater than the left arm and sats in the right foot are lower than in the right hand. You also can’t really feel any femoral pulses. What is the likely diagnosis?
Coarctation of the aorta
What is Coarctation of the aorta ?
Narrowing of the aorta commonly at the ductus arteriosus
Why do you get oxygen sats that are lower in the right foot than in the right hand in Coarctation of the aorta ?
Pre-ductal (before the narrowing)- eg. left subclavian supplies oxygenated blood to the right hand
Post-ductal (after the narrowing)- supplies blood to all of the body - mix of deoyxngeated and oxygenated blood = sats are lower
Why do you get BP higher in right arm than left arm & lower limbs in Coarctation of the aorta ?
BP before the narrowing is higher (upper limbs) than BP after the narrowing - lower limbs and L arm
What can you see on CXR in coarctation of the aorta?
Rib notching- collaterals
3 sign - aortic arch
What happens in hypo plastic left heart syndrome?
Complete underdevelopment of the left side of the heart- no mitral or aortic valve. Ascending aorta is very small.
Babies can be quite unwell especially when ductus arteriosus closes. Tx: give alprostadil infusion to keep it open and then needs surgery
What are the causes of HF in neonates, infants and children?
Neonates: hypo plastic left heart syndrome, critical AV stenosis, coarctation of the aorta
Infants: shunt- VSD, ASD, PDA
Children: Eisenmenger’s , cardiomyopathy
Also - arrhythmia
A child comes to clinic as the mother has noticed he has a fever and has been quite run down lately. You can hear a murmur as well on examination which the mother said was not heard on last review. She’s also noticed he has some funny spots on his palms and his fingers and the ones of his fingers are painful when you touch them. He also has some dark lines in his nails. PMH: normal birth, had a VSD in infancy which was treated surgically. What is the likely cause and causative organism?
Infective endocarditis
commonest cause: strep viridians
What are some symptoms/signs of infective endocarditis?
Fever
New murmur
Malaise
Anaemia
Janeway lesions, Splinter haemorrhages and Osler’s nodes in hands
Roth spots in the eyes
may have haematuria if glomerlonephritis is present
How do you investigate and treat infective endocarditis?
Ix: Bloods- FBC, U&E, ESR/CRP, clotting
Blood cultures!- repeated
Echo - see vegetations
Tx: IV Abx eg. ben pen + gentamicin
What criteria is used to diagnosis IE?
Duke criteria
What is the commonest arrhythmia in children? What would you see on ECG?
Supraventricular tachycardia
Narrow QRS, tachycardia
What are the symptoms of SVT in children?
Heart failure sx: SOB, poor feeding, failure to thrive
How do you treat SVT in children?
Vagal maneouvres- Valsalva/ carotid sinus massage/ ice pack to face in babies
IV adenosine - blocks the AV node and restarts
If v unstable: electrical cardio version
What conditions are babies at risk of when their mum has lupus?
Congenital complete heart block due to the anti-Ro or anti-La antibodies in maternal serum.
3 year old little boy presents to clinic. He has had 2 days of coryza symptoms but no real fevers. He is off his food but drinking okay. He has had a cough for 1 day which is worsening and associated with a wheeze. He is struggling to breath at bedtime. No regular meds, no allergies, no problems at birth.
What is the likely diagnosis/what are some differentials?
Viral induced wheeze!!- diagnosis
Asthma- bit young
LRTI/bronchiolitis - bit older
Anaphylaxis/foreign body
What is the classic ages of presentation for bronchiolitis, viral induced wheeze and asthma?
Bronchiolitis- up to 12m
Viral induced wheeze: 1-4 years old
Asthma: >4/5 years old
What are some causes of wheeze?
Viral induced wheeze Bronchiolitis Asthma Anaphylaxis Inhaled foreign body CF
What are the signs and symptoms of viral induced wheeze?
Concurrent/pre-ceeding viral URTI: coryza symptoms, no proper fevers, SOB
Expiratory wheeze
No symptoms in between episodes
How do you manage viral induced wheeze?
Salbutamol (bronchodilators) to help, will settle on it’s own and grow out of it
If severe: hospital admission and steroids
A little 4 year old boy has presented to A&E with facial swelling and gasping for air. On examination he has a widespread wheeze and some little bumps all over his body. His parents tell you they were just eating out at a restaurant and it occurred then. He has a known allergy to peanuts. How are you going to manage this patient?
ABCDE assessment
Main thing is to secure the airway
IM adrenaline
IV chlorphenamine + IV hydrocortisone
What is the most common causative organism of bronchiolitis and what age does bronchiolitis present in?
RSV !
<1 year old
What are some symptoms and signs of bronchiolitis?
Coryza Noisy breathing Poor feeding Fever SOB Signs: diffuse bilateral crackles , wheeze, hyperinflation of chest
How do you investigate and treat bronchiolitis?
PCR of nasopharyngeal secretions, may do CXR
Tx:
Humidified oxygen if sats <92%
NG tube feeds if feeding <50% of normal
What is the indication for ventilatory support in bronchiolitis?
Severe respiratory distress- grunting , nasal flaring, tachypnoea, tachycardia
How can you prevent bronchiolitis and who is this prophylaxis given too?
to high risk premature babies: CF, Down’s, immunocompropmised
Given palivizumab
A 6 year old boy has presented to clinic with worsening symptoms of a cough particularly at night. His mother has also has noticed he is getting quite short of breath on exercising and he’s had a few episodes when he’s got really badly SOB especially after a tantrum. His symptoms are worse at night and early in the morning. On examination, you can hear an expiratory wheeze but no other signs. PMH: he has had eczema since he was little. What investigation can you do to help confirm your diagnosis?
Peak flow - before and after bronchodilator = shows improvement
Peak flow diary as well showing variability
May do spirometry (obstructive- FEV1/FVC <0.7)
What is the definition of asthma?
Hypersensitibity of the bronchi –> bronchial inflammation and mucus production –> bronchospasm and airway narrowing. Reversible airway obstruction.
What are some triggers of asthma?
Allergens- dust mites, pollen, pets URTI Exercise Cold weather Emotional upset- crying Chemical irritants- aerosols
You start that 6 year old boy who you suspect has Asthma on a SABA - salbumatol inhaler. He comes back in 6 weeks and his mother says he has been using it 5 times a week and his symptoms are still really bad at night. What are you going to ask/check? What medication might you add?
Check inhaler technique- is he using a spacer?
check exactly how many times he is using SABA?
What are the triggers, is he able to avoid them?
Parental smoking/ pets in the house?
Add very low dose ICS (paediatric dose)
That 6 year old little boy with asthma taking a SABA + very low dose ICS comes back to clinic. His mother says his symptoms are still uncontrolled and he has had 2 asthma attacks in the last week. What medication are you going to add now?
LRTA - montelukast (NICE) or LABA (BTS) and review in 6-8 weeks
If an LRTA hasn’t worked in the treatment of asthma, what can you try next?
Stop LRTA and add a LABA in combination with ICS - can try MART
If they are under 5- you would get paeds input
You are working in A&E. A 9 year old girl presents with worsening SOB and cough. She is able to talk to you though. On auscultation you hear a widespread expiratory wheeze. Her sats at 98%, RR is 35. What is the diagnosis and what are you going to treat her with?
Moderate asthma exacerbation
Bronchodilators- inhaled SABA 2-4 puffs up to 10 times
Oral prednisolone
You are working in A&E. A 9 year old presents with worsening SOB and cough. She is unable to complete full sentences due to breathlessness. Her peak flow is 33-50% best and her sats are 88%. She is tachycardia and tachypnoeic. She has been using her salbutamol inhaler with no effect. What is the diagnosis and how are you going to treat her?
Severe asthma exacerbation High flow oxygen Salbutamol inhaler (but not worked in this case) Salbutamol nebs + ipratropium nebs Prednisolone PO/ hydrocortisone IV
You are working in A&E. A 9 year old presents with worsening SOB and cough. She is unable to talk, she has poor respiratory effort, peak flow <33%, looks a bit drowsy. She is very hypotensive and her sats are 88%. What is the diagnosis and how are you going to treat her?
Life threatening asthma exacerbation
High flow oxygen
Salbutamol (2.5-5.5mg) + ipratropium nebs
IV hydrocortisone
If these don’t work: theophylline/ magnesium sulphate IV/ salbutamol IV
You are in the GP and a little 2 year old girl presents with her mother. She has had 2 days of coryza with fevers up to 38 degrees, reduced oral intake and a mild dry cough. She is also pulling at her ears a bit. She doesn’t take any medication. Mum smokes at home.
What are your differential diagnosis?
Common cold - URTI
Tonsillitis
Otitis media
Croup/epiglottis - less likely
What are the most common causative organisms of the common cold?
Virus- rhinovirus, coronavirus, RSV
How would you treat the common cold and when would you admit to hospital?
Rest, paracetamol for pain/fever, fluids.
Admit: if not eating/drinking at all, suspect epiglottis/croup.
A 3 year old girl presents to GP with her mother. She has had 2 days of fevers and coryza symptoms and has reduced oral intake. She says it hurts to swallow. On examination you feel cervical lymphadenopathy and you look in her throat and see inflamed, red tonsils with white spots on them. How are you going to decide what treatment she needs?
FeverPAIN score Fever Purulence Attends rapidly within 3 days Inflamed tonsils No cough or coryza 2-3 = consider delayed Abx 4-5= Abx
What’s the first line Abx treatment in acute bacterial tonsillitis? What about in a penicillin allergy? What other medications might they benefit from?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (allergy: erythromycin)
Other medications: paracetamol/ibuprofen for fever,
How do you differentiate acute bacterial tonsillitis from EBV/infectious mononucleosis? What Abx needs to be avoided in EBV?
Glandular fever: much higher fevers, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly/abdo pain. May not have responded Abx. may have deranged LFTs
EBV: avoid amoxicillin/amox based drugs - cause a rash in EBC
A 2 year old boy presents to A&E as his mother says he’s been really unwell this morning. She says he has had a bit of a fever and cold the last few days but today he has a worsening cough, looking like he’s struggling to breathe and she can hear a harsh sound when he breathes in. You assess him and his cough sounds quite barking and you can also hear the harsh high pitched sound on inspiration. Given the likely diagnosis, what medication do you want to give immediately?
Croup
Airway is obstructed causing stridor
Give dexamethasone PO
IF can’t tolerate PO - nebulised budesonide
What signs would concern you about a child’s airway?
Stridor Decreased breath sounds heard Drooling Tachypnoea SOB Tripod position (leaning forward on hands, neck extended) Decreasing GCS Sternal/intercostal recession Use of accessory muscles
What is the most common cause of croup?
Viral- parainfluenza, RSV
If steroids have not worked to treat the croup and the child has sternal recession and stridor, what else can you try to give?
Adrenaline nebulised
Oxygen high flow
You are working in A&E and a 4 year old boy presents looking very unwell. His mother says this happened very quickly, he has been well recently and about 2 hours ago started struggling to breathe and has been drooling. He is not able to speak to you and you can hear a soft high pitched noise when he breaths in. He has a very high fever and you can see he is leaning forward with his mouth open to order to try and breathe. What are you worried about and what is the most important step in management?
Acute epiglottitis
SECURE AIRWAY! get them to ITU/call anaesthetists - they will need intubation and ventilation
In a child with acute epiglottitis- once you have secured the airway what other medication needs to be given?
IV cefotaxime
May give dexamethasone
What is the commonest causative organism in acute epiglottis?
H. influenza B
What drug can be given as prophylaxis to household contacts in a child with acute epiglottis?
Rifampicin
What symptoms might you get in a patient with whooping cough?
Inspiratory whoop
Paroxysmal cough that gets worse - worse at night, can cause vomiting
Struggling to catch breath
Pre-ceeding coryza symptoms
What is the organism that causes whooping cough?
Bordetella Pertussis
How do you treat whooping cough?
Azithromycin 3 days or Clarithromycin 7 days
Isolate from school until 48 hours after starting Abx
A 2 year old boy presents with a 2 day history of coryzal symptoms, fevers up to 38, reduced oral intake. He is pulling at his ears. On examination of this throat, there are no abnormalities but on otoscope you see a bright red bulging tympanic membrane, with the tympanic membrane looking intact. What is the likely diagnosis and what treatment will you offer?
Otitis media
Usually viral so just supportive treatment - analgesia eg, paracetmaol/ibuprofen
If still unwell after few days= amoxicillin
What are some complications of otitis media?
Mastoiditis Facial nerve palsy T.M perforation Meningitis Cerebral abscess
Why are children more likely to get ear infections?
They have short horizontal Eustachian tubes that have not matured to properly function yet