Paediatrics - GI, nutrition, renal (4) Flashcards
Red flag: bile-stained vomit
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
Intestinal obstruction
Red flag: Haematemesis
Diagnoses you’re worried about?
Oesophagitis
Peptic ulcer
Oral/nasal bleeding
Oesophageal variceal bleeding
Red flag: Projectile vomiting in first few weeks of life
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
Pyloric stenosis
Red flag: Vomiting at end of paraoxysmal coughing
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
Whooping cough (pertussis)
Red flag: Abdominal tenderness
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
Surgical abdomen
Red flag: Abdominal distension
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
Intestinal obstruction
incl. strangulated inguinal hernia
Red flag: Hepatosplenomegaly
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
CLD, inborn error of metabolism
Red flag: Blood in stool
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
Intussusception, bacterial gastroenteritis
Red flag: Faltering growth
Diagnosis you’re worried about?
GORD, coeliac, chronic GI conditions
What are the two terms used to describe the non-forceful return of milk by babies?
- Posseting - small amounts of milk that accompany the return of swallowed air
- Regurgitation - larger more frequent losses of milk
Vomiting is more prominent in intestinal obstruction that is more proximal or distal?
Proximal
Abdominal distension is more marked in proximal or distal obstruction?
Distal
What causes GOR?
Inappropriate relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter as a result of functional immaturity
Give three factors that worsen GOR?
- Predominantly fluid diet
- Mainly horizontal posture
- Short intraabdominal length of oesophagus
By what age does all spontaneous reflux tend to resolve?
12 months
GORD is more common in which children (3)?
- CP patients or those with neurodevelopmental problems
- Preterm infants
- Following surgery for oesophageal atresia/ diaphragmatic hernia
How is GOR diagnosed?
Clinically
If history of GOR atypical or there is failure to respond to treatment what investigations may be done?
- 24 hr oesophageal pH
2. Endoscopy with biopsy to identify oesophagitis and exclude other causes
Management of GORD? (In stages)
- Feed thickeners (Carobel), smaller more frequent feeds
- Medication to suppress acid
- Hydrogen receptor antagonists (ranitidine)
- Proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) - Fundoplication
What are ranitidine and omeprazole and what do they do?
Ranitidine = hydrogen receptro antagonist Omeprazole = PPI
Reduce the volume of gastric contents and treat acid related oesophagitis
What does a fundoplication do and why is it used as a treatment of GORD?
Fundus of the stomach is wrapped around intraabdominal oesophagus. (Nissen fundoplication)
Which sphincter is involved in GORD?
Lower oesophageal sphincter
What is pyloric stenosis?
Hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle causing gastric outflow obstruction
When does pyloric stenosis present?
Week 2-8
In what gender is pyloric stenosis more common?
Boys (4:1) particularly firstborn
Clinical features of pyloric stenosis?
Vomiting (increases in frequency and focefulness over time)
Hunger after vomiting until dehydration leads to loss of interest in feeding
Weight loss
Hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis (low plasma sodium and potassium)
How is pyloric stenosis investigated?
Baby given milk feed to calm
Observed for gastric peristalsis (wave moving from left to right across the abdomen)
Pyloric mass felt in right upper quadrant
Ultrasound can confirm diagnosis prior to surgery
What are the two main signs seen in pyloric stenosis?
Gastric peristalsis Pyloric mass (like an olive) in right upper quadrant)
Management of pyloric stenosis?
- Correct fluid and electrolyte imbalance with IV fluid
- Pyloromyotomy (division of hypertrophied muscle down to the mucosa)
What is infant ‘colic’?
Term used to describe symptom complex that occurs during the first few months of life. Paraoxysmal, inconsolable crying or screaming is often accompanied by drawing up of knees and passage of excessive flatus.
At what age does colic typically resolve?
3-12 months
What is the treatment of colic?
Gripe water
If colic persists, what diagnoses are you concerned about?
Cow’s milk protein allergy
If colic persists what two investigations would you do?
2 week trial of protein hydrolysate formula (cow’s milk free)
if symptoms persist then
Trial of GOR treatment
Give 5 causes of acute abdominal pain
- Appendicitis
- Lower lobe pneumonia
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- UTI
- Pancreatitis
- Testicular torsion / strangulated inguinal hernia
- Obstruction
- Peritonitis (nephrotic syndrome/ liver disease)
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
Nausea, vomiting, abdo pain
Describe the pain associated with appendicitis
Begin central and colicky then localises to the right iliac fossa
What are the signs of appendicitis?
Abdo pain aggravated by movement
Persistent tenderness with guarding in the right iliac fossa
What is the point called at which there is tenderness and guarding in appendicitis?
McBurney’s point
What are the signs and symptoms of a retrocaecal appendix?
All of above but localised guarding may be absent
Why may white blood cells or organisms in the urine be seen in appendicitis?
Inflamed appendix may be adjacent to the ureter or bladder
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
Regular clinical review every few hours
Laparoscopy is available to see whether or not the appendix is inflamed
What is the treatment of appendicitis?
Appendicectomy
Give a sign of a perforated appendix?
Generalised guarding
Treatment of a perforated appendix?
Fluid resuscitation
IV abx
Laparotomy
Palpable mass in RIF but no signs of generalised peritonitis. Management?
Elect for conservative management.
IV abx
Elective appendicectomy a number of weeks later
What is a complicated appendicitis?
- Appendix mass
- An abscess
- Perforation
What is non-specific abdominal pain?
Pain that resolves in 24-48 hours
What is intussusception?
Invagination of proximal bowel into distal segment
What part of the bowel is typically affected in intussusception?
Ileum into caecum through ileocaecal valve
Peak age of presentation for intussusception?
3 months - 2 years
How does intussusception cause bowel perforation/ gut necrosis?
Stretching and constriction of the mesentery
Resulting in venous obstruction, causing engorgement and bleeding from the mucosa
Fluid loss and bowel perforation
Presentation of intussusception?
Paraoxysmal colicky pain w/pallor
Refusal of feeds, vomiting (can be bile stained)
Sausage shaped mass palpable in abdomen
Redcurrant jelly stool (blood stained mucus)
Abdominal distension and shock
What is thought to cause intussusception?
Viral infection leading to enlargement of Peyer’s patches which forms the lead point
What is the management of intussusception?
Fluid resuscitation (hypovolaemic shock if don’t as fluid pools in the gut)
Rectal air insufflation under supervision of paediatric surgeon
What will an xray of a child with intussusception show?
- Distended small bowel
2. Absence of gas in distal colon or rectum
What is the investigation of a child with suspected intussusception?
Abdo ultrasound
What sign is often seen on abdo ultrasound of a child with intussusception?
Doughnut sign/ target sign
If rectal air insufflation of an intussuscepted bowel fails, what is the subsequent management?
Operative reduction
Give a complication of intussusception
Hypovolaemic shock
Give a contraindication of rectal air insufflation as the management for intussusception
Presence of peritonitis
What is a Meckel diverticulum a remnant of ?
Vitello-intestinal duct
How may a Meckel diverticulum present? (4)
Severe rectal bleeding Intussusception Volvulus Diverticulitis Acute reduction in haemoglobin
or/ asymptomatic
What blood result is often seen in a patient with Meckel diverticulum?
Acute reducation in haemoglobin
What is the investigation for suspected Meckel diverticulum? (And what does it show?)
Technetium scan - increased uptake by gastric mucosa of Meckel diverticulum
Treatment of Meckel diverticulum?
Surgical resection
What is the prevalence of Meckel diverticulim?
2/100
At what age does malrotation typically present?
1-3 days of life
What is the typical presentation of malrotation?
Obstruction with bilious vomiting
What is the investigation required in a child with dark green vomiting?
Urgent upper gastrointestinal contrast study to asess intestinal rotation unless signs of a vascular compromise are present
If dark green vomiting and signs of vascular compromise to the bowel, what is the management?
Urgent laparotomy
What blood supply is often compromised in malrotation or a volvulus?
Superior mesenteric artery to small intestine and proximal large intestine
Treatment of malrotation?
Surgical correction through laparotomy
Clinical features of malrotation?
Bilious vomiting
Abdo pain
Tenderness from peritonitis or ischaemic bowel
What are the name of the bands of peritoneum that often obstruct the duodenum in malrotation?
Ladd bands
What is the definition of recurrent abdominal pain?
Pain sufficient to interrupt normal activities that lasts for at least 3 months
Give some common causes of recurrent abdominal pain
Largely due to functional abnormalities of gut motility
- IBS
- Constipation
- Coeliac disease
- Abdominal migraine
- Functional dyspepsia
Give two tests that should be carried out on a child with recurrent abdominal pain to exclude organic causes
- Thyroid function tests
2. Coeliac antibodies
Treatment of abdominal migraine?
Anti-migraine medication
Risk factors for IBS
- Family history
- Previous recent history of GI infection
- Stress and anxiety
What are the typical characteristic symptoms in a patient with IBS?
- Non-specific abdominal pain often peri-umbilical
- Pain relieved by defecation
- Explosive, loose or mucousy stools
- Bloating
- Feeling of incomplete defecation
- Constipation
If a child is suspected of having IBS, what is an important diagnosis to exclude prior to this?
Coeliac disease - check coeliac antibody serology
Give a predisposing factor to duodenal ulcers
H.pylori infection
Give 4 factors that indicate the presence of a duodenal ulcer
- Epigastric pain
- Pain radiates through the back
- Woken at night with pain
- Family history of peptic ulceration in first-degree relative
What disease does H.pylori typically cause?
Nodular antral gastritis
What are the typical symptoms of a H.pylori infection
Abdo pain
Nausea
How is H.pylori infection identified?
Gastric antral biopsy
What product does H.pylori produce and what tests are used to detect this product?
Urease
Detected through 13C breath test (administration of 13C labelled urea by mouth)
Stool antigen for H.pylori
a) What is the treatment for peptic ulceration
b) What is the treatment if ulceration suspected of being a result of H.pylori infection
a) PPI - omeprazole
b) add eradication therapy e.g. amox/metronidazole/ clarithromycin
What is the management of a child who has failed to respond to peptic ulcer treatment?
Upper GI endoscopy
If upper GI endoscopy in child with suspected peptic ulcer disease which did not respond to treatment is normal, what is the diagnosis?
Functional dyspepsia
Symptoms of functional dyspepsia?
- Same as those of PUD (abdo pain and nausea)
- Early satiety
- Bloating
- Post prandial vomiting
- Delayed gastric emptying
What is the treatment of functional dyspepsia?
Hypoallergenic diet
What is eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Inflammatory condition affecting the oesophagus caused by activation of eosinophils within the mucosa and submucosa
Presentation of eosinophilic oesophagitis?
- Vomiting
- Discomfort on swallowing
- Bolus dysphagia (food sticking)
What is the pathophysiology of eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Allergic
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is more common in which children?
Those with other features of atopy (asthma, eczema, hay fever)
How is eosinophilic oesophagitis diagnosed?
Endoscopy
What signs are seen on endoscopy of a child with eosinophilic oesophagitis?
- Linear furrows
- Trachealisation
- Microscopically - eosinophilic infiltration
What is the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis
Swallowed corticosteroids
(Fluticasone/ viscous budesonide)
Or exclusion diet
What is the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis in developed countries?
Rotavirus
Presence of blood in stool generally suggests what about the cause of the infection, in a child with gastroenteritis?
Bacterial cause
Clinical features of a shigella/salmonella infection? (4)
- Dysenteric infection with blood and pus in stool
- Pain
- Tenesmus
- Shigella - high fever
Clinical features of a cholera/ e.coli infection?
- Profuse, rapidly dehydrating diarrhoea
Give two protozoan causes of gastroenteritis?
- Giardia
2. Cryptosporidium
Clinical dehydration typically relates to what percentage loss of body weight?
5-10%