Paediatrics - neonatology, development and genetics Flashcards
what cells produce surfactant
type II alveolar cells
what is the function of surfactant
to reduce the surface tension of the fluid in the lungs, and keeping alveoli inflated and maximising the surface area of the alveoli
- increases lung compliance
at what age do babies start to produce surfactant
between 24-34 weeks of gestation
what are required to maintain the ductus arteriosus
prostaglandins
what are issues surrounding neonatal resuscitations
- babies have a large surface area to weight ratio and get cold easily
- babies are born wet so loose heat rapidly
- babies are born through meconium which may enter their mouth and airway
what are the principles of neonatal resuscitation
- Need to warm the baby
- calculate the APGAR score
- stimulate breathing
- Inflation breaths
- chest compressions
- severe situations
what can you do to keep a new baby warm
- get the baby dry as quickly as possible, vigorous drying also helps stimulate breathing
- keep baby warm with warm delivery rooms and a heat lamp
- babies under 28 weeks are placed in a plastic bag while wet and managed under a heat lamp
how can you stimulate breathing in a new baby
- stimulate the baby to prompt breathing, like vigorous rubbing with a towel
- place babies head in a neutral position to keep the airway open
- if gasping or unable to breath check for obstruction and consider aspiration
when are inflation breaths required in a new baby
when the neonate is gasping or not breathing despite adequate initial stimulation
how do you give inflation breaths in a neonate
two cycles of five inflation breaths (3 seconds each) to stimulate breathing and heart rate
if no response then 30 seconds of ventilation breaths
if still no response then chest compressions are used
what should be used for inflation breaths in
a. term babies
b. pre-term babies
a. air
b. air and oxygen
when do you start chest compressions in a neonate
if the heart rate remains below 60bpm despite resuscitation and inflations breaths
what ratio are chest compressions performed at with ventilation breaths
3:1
what is a baby at risk of with prolonged hypoxia
hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
what are the different things measured in the APGAR score
Appearance - skin colour
Pulse
Grimmace - response to stimulation
Activity - muscle tone
Respiration
what is the APGAR score used for
used as an indicator of the progress over the first five minutes of life
what is placental transfusion
this is delayed cord clamping
what are the benefits of delayed cord clamping
improved haemoglobin, iron stores and blood pressure
reduction in interventricular haemorrhage and necrotising enterocolitis
what are the current guidelines from the resuscitation council UK on delayed cord clamping
uncompromised neonates should have a delay of at least one minute in the clamping of the umbilical cord following birth
what is considered a slow hear rate in a newborn
between 60-100 bpm
how do you deliver chest compressions in a newborn
three compressions to one ventilation
30 inflations and 90 compressions per minute
what temperature should newborns be maintained between
36.5-37.5
what are the important steps to do immediately after birth of a baby
skin to skin
delayed cord clamping
dry the baby
keep baby warm with hats and blankets
vitamin K
label the baby
measure weight and length
why is it important to give vitamin K after birth
babies are born with a deficiency of vitamin K. As it is required for normal clotting of blood vitamin K is given to all babies via IM injection as standard practice
- Can also give it orally as drops but takes longer to act and requires three doses
what are the benefits of skin to skin contact
helps warm baby
improves mother and baby interaction
calms the baby
improves breast feeding
what are the nine conditions screened for in the blood spot screening test
sickle cell disease
cystic fibrosis
congenital hypothyroidism
phenylketonuria
medium chain acyl coA dehydrogenase deficiency
maple syrup urine disease
isovaleric acidaemia
glutaric aciduria type 1
homocystin
when is the blood spot screening test taken
on day 5
when is the newborn examination performed
first 72 hours after birth
repeated 6-8 weeks by their GP
what are questions that should be asked before starting the newborn examination
has the baby passed meconium
is the baby feeding okay
is their any family history of congenital heart, eye or hip problems
have the parents noticed any issues
what oxygen saturations need to be checked in a baby
pre-ductal and post-ductal oxygen saturations
- should not be more than a 2% difference between the two
- pre-ductal measured in babies right hand
- post-ductal measured in either foot
what is measured with a babies general appearance in the newborn baby check
colour
tone
cry
how is the head examined in the newborn baby check
- general appearance
- head circumference
- anterior and posterior fontanelles
- sutures
- ears - skin tags, low set ears, asymmetry
- eyes - slight squints are normal, epicanthic folds, purulent discharge
- red reflex - absent with cataracts and retinoblastoma
- mouth - cleft lip or tongue tie
- sucking reflex and palate
how are the shoulders and arms examined in the newborn baby check
- shoulder symmetry
- arm movements
- brachial pulses
- radial pulses
- palmar creases
- digits
- sats probe on right wrist for pre-ductal reading
how is the chest examined in the newborn baby check
- oxygen saturations in right wrist and feet
- observe breathing and look for signs of respiratory distress
- heart sounds - murmurs, heart sounds, heart rate
- breath sounds
how is the abdomen examined in the newborn baby check
- observe the shape
- umbilical stump - look for discharge, infection and periumbical hernia
- palpate for organomegaly, hernias or masses
how are the genitals examined in the newborn baby check
- observe the sex, ambiguity and abnormalities
- palpate the testes and scrotum
- inspect the penis for hypospadias, epispadias and urination
- inspect the anus to check if patent
- ask about meconium
how are the legs examined in the newborn baby check
- observe the legs and hips for equal movements, skin creases, tone and talipes
- Barlow’s and Ortolani maneuvers - check for clunking, clicking and dislocation
- count the toes
how is the back inspected in the newborn baby check
- inspect and palpate the spine - curvature, spina bifida and pilonidal sinus
what reflexes are testes in the newborn baby check
- Moro reflex: when rapidly tipped backward arms and legs will extend
- suckling reflex
- rooting reflex: tickling the cheek will cause them to turn towards the stimulus
- grasp reflex
- stepping reflex
what skin findings are you looking out for in the newborn baby check
haemangiomas
port wine stains
mongolian blue spot
cradle cap
desquamation
erythema toxicum
milia
acne
naevus simplex
moles
transient pustular melanosis
what are talipes
clubfoot - where the ankles are in a supinated position and rolled inwards
what are the two types of talipes
structural - bones of foot and ankle involved and requires surgery referral
positional - muscles slightly tight around ankle but bones unaffected
what are port wine stains
pink patches of skin often on the face which is caused by abnormalities affecting the capillaries
dont fade with time and will often get darker
can be related to Sturge-Weber syndrome
what is caput succedaneum
involves fluid collecting on the scalp, outside the periosteum
what causes caput succedaneum
pressure to a specific area of the scalp during traumatic, prolonged or instrumental delivery
What is cephalohaematoma
it is a collection of blood between the skull and the periosteum
what are causes of cephalohaematoma
it is caused by damage to blood vessels during a traumatic, prolonged or instrumental delivery
how can you tell the difference between cephalohaematoma and caput succedaneum
cephalohaematoma doesnt cross the suture lines of the skull where as caput succedaneum does
what does a baby with caphalohaematoma need to be monitored for
anaemia, jaundice and resolution of the haematoma
what is erbs palsy
it is a result of C5/6 injury in the brachial plexus during birth
what is erbs palsy associated with
associated with shoulder dystocia, traumatic or instrumental delivery and large birth weight
what are the symptoms of erbs palsy
weakness of shoulder abduction
weakness of external rotation
weakness of arm flexion
weakness of finger extension
what is the appearance of an arm with erbs palsy
‘waiters tip’
- internally rotated shoulder
- extended elbow
- flexed wrist facing backwards
- lack of movement in the affected arm
why might a clavicle be fractured during birth
may be associated with shoulder dystocia, traumatic or instrumental delivery or large birth weight
how might a broken clavicle be picked up on the newborn baby exam
noticeable lack of movement or asymmetry of movement in the affected arm
asymmetry of the shoulders with the affected shoulder being lower than the normal one
pain and distress on movement of the arm
what are common organisms that cause neonatal sepsis
Group B streptococcus
E.coli
listeria
klebsiella
staph. aureus
what are risk factors for developing neonatal sepsis
vaginal GBS colonisation
GBS sepsis in a previous baby
maternal sepsis, chorioamnionitis or fever over 38
prematurity
early (premature) rupture of membranes
prolonged rupture of membranes
what are clinical features of neonatal sepsis
fever
reduced tone and activity
poor feeding
respiratory distress or apnoea
vomiting
tachycardia or bradycardia
hypoxia
jaundice within 24 hours
seizures
hypoglycaemia
what are red flags of neonatal sepsis
confirmed or suspected sepsis in the mother
signs of shock
seizures
term baby needing mechanical ventilation
respiratory distress starting more than 4 hours after birth
resumed sepsis in another baby in multiple pregnancy
how do you treat presumed sepsis
- if one risk factor or clinical feature then monitor the obs and condition for >12 hours
- if two or more risk factors start antibiotics
- antibiotics should be given if there is a single red flag
- antibiotics need to be given within 1hr of deciding to give them
- blood cultures should be taken before antibiotics are given
- check baseline FBC and CRP
-perform LP if meningitis suspected
what do nice recommend as first line antibiotics in presumed sepsis
benzylpenicillin and gentamycin
alternatively given third generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime) may be given as an alternative in lower risk babies
when would you consider stopping antibiotics in a previously septic baby
when the baby is clinically well, the blood cultures are negative 36 hours after taking them and both CRP results are negative
what is Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
lack of oxygen and restriction of blood flow to the brain causing brain malfunctioning
- in neonates as a result of hypoxia at birth
what can Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy lead to
permanent brain damage causing cerebral palsy
severe HIE can result in death
when do you suspect Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in neonates
hypoxia during the perinatal or intrapartum period
acidosis on the umbilical artery blood gas
poor APGAR scores
features of mild/moderate/severe HIE
multi-organ failure
what are causes of Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
anything that leads to asphyxia
- maternal shock
- intrapartum haemorrhage
- prolapsed cord
- nuchal cord: where cord is wrapped round neck of the baby
what is are the features of mild Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
- poor feeding, general irritability and hyper alert
- resolves within 24 hours
- normal prognosis
what are the features of moderate Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
- poor feeding, lethargic, hypotonic, seizures
- can take up to weeks to resolve
- up to 40% develop cerebral palsy
what are features of severe Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
- reduced consciousness, apnoeas, flaccid and reduced or absent reflexes
- up to 50% mortality
- up to 90% develop cerebral palsy
how is Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy managed
supportive care with neonatal resuscitation and ventilation, circulatory support, nutrition, acid base balance and treatment of seizures
therapeutic hypothermia
what is therapeutic hypothermia
babies near or at term considered to have Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy benefit from therapeutic hypothermia
- baby is actively cooled to between 33-34
- continue for 72 hours
- then baby is gradually warmed to normal temperature over 6 hours
what is the intention of therapeutic hypothermia
to reduce inflammation and neurone loss after hypoxic injury
- reduces the risk of cerebral palsy, developmental delay, learning difficulties, blindness and death
what causes jaundice
high levels of bilirubin in the blood
what are the two ways conjugated bilirubin is excreted
via the biliary system into GI tract
urine
what is physiological jaundice
fetal red blood cells break down more rapidly than normal RBC releasing lots of bilirubin
normally this is excreted via the placenta however after birth this is no longer available
this leads to a normal rise in bilirubin after birth, it normally resolves completely by 10 days old
what are symptoms of physiological jaundice
mild yellowing of the skin and sclera from 2-7 days
otherwise normal healthy baby
what are causes of neonatal jaundice
increased production: haemolytic disease of the newborn, ABO incompatibility, haemorrhage, intraventricular haemorrhage, cephalo-oedema, polycythaemia, sepsis and DIC. G6PD deficiency
decreased clearance of bilirubin: prematurity, breast milk jaundice, neonatal cholestasis, biliary atresia, endocrine disorders (thyroid/pituitary) and gilbert syndrome
is jaundice in the first 24 hours of life normal?
no it is pathological - needs urgent investigations and managed (think sepsis)
why might premature babies get jaundice
due to the immature liver - the process of physiological jaundice is exaggerated
what is Kernicterus
brain damage due to high bilirubin levels
who are more likely to get jaundice, those who are bottle fed or breastfed
those who are breastfed
why are breastfed babies more likely to get neonatal jaundice
- components of breast milk inhibit the ability of the liver to process the bilirubin
- breastfed babies are more likely to become dehydrated if not feeding adequately
- inadequate breast feeding may lead to slow passage of stools, increasing absorption of bilirubin in the intestines
what is haemolytic disease of the newborn
it is caused by incompatibility between the rhesus antigens on the surface of the red blood cells of the mother and the fetus
when might haemolytic disease of the newborn occur
when a woman is rhesus negative and her baby is rhesus negative
- mother becomes sensitised to the resus D antigens and will normally cause issues in the second + pregnancy
what happens in haemolytic disease of the newborn
the mothers anti-D antibodies can cross the placenta into the fetus, and if that fetus is rhesus positive this can cause the immune system of the fetus to attack their own cells
this leads to haemolysis, anaemia and high bilirubin levels
when is jaundice considered prolonged
more than 14 days in full term babies
more than 21 days in premature babies
what can cause prolonged jaundice
biliary atresia
hypothyroidism
G6PD deficiency
what investigations should be done in neonatal jaundice
FBC and blood film - polycythaemia or anaemia
conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin
blood type testing
direct coombs test for haemolysis
thyroid function
blood and urine cultures if infection suspected
G6DP levels
what is the management for neonatal jaundice
- monitor total bilirubin levels and plot on treatment threshold charts
- if total bilirubin reaches threshold then they will be commenced on treatment
- phototherapy
- exchange transfusion
what is phototherapy
phototherapy converts unconjugated bilirubin into isomers that can be excreted in the bile and urine without requiring conjugation
how is phototherapy performed
- remove clothing down to nappy and eye patches to protect eyes
- baby is put into a light box which shines blue light onto the babies skin
- bilirubin is monitored during treatment
- once phototherapy is complete rebound bilirubin should be measured 12-18 hours after stopping to ensure levels dont rise again
how does kernicterus present
less responsive, floppy, drowsy baby with poor feeding
what is the long term issues with kernicterus
the damage to the nervous system is permanent
- cerebral palsy
- learning difficulties
- deafness
what is prematurity defined as
birth before 37 weeks gestation
what number of weeks are classified as
1. extreme preterm
2. very preterm
3. moderate to late preterm
- under 28 weeks
- 28-32 weeks
- 32-37 weeks
what can increase the chance of preterm birth
social deprivation
smoking
alcohol
drugs
overweight or underweight mothers
maternal co-morbidities
twins
personal or family history of prematurity
in women with a history of preterm birth or an ultrasound demonstrating reduced cervical length, how can you try to delay birth
- prophylactic vaginal progesterone
- prophylactic cervical cerclage - suture in the cervix to hold it closed
where preterm labour is suspected or confirmed how can the outcomes be improved
- tocolysis with nifedipine: calcium channel blocker that suppresses labour
- maternal corticosteroids
- IV magnesium sulphate
- delayed cord clamping or cord milking
what issues might a preterm baby have in early life
respiratory distress syndrome
hypothermia
hypoglycaemia
poor feeding
apnoea and bradycardia
neonatal jaundice
intraventricular haemorrhage
retinopathy of prematurity
necrotising enterocolitis
immature immune system and infection
what are long term effects of prematurity
chronic lung disease of prematurity
learning and behavioural difficulties
susceptibility to infections, particularly RTI
hearing and visual impairment
cerebral palsy
what is apnoea of prematurity
periods where breathing stops spontaneously for more than 20 seconds with oxygen desaturations or bradycardia
what are causes of apnoea of prematurity
- immaturity of the autonomic nervous system
- infection
- anaemia
- airway obstruction
- CNS pathology such as seizures or haemorrhage
- GORD
- neonatal abstinence syndrome
how is apnoea of prematurity managed
- attached to apnoea monitors which make a sound when apnoea is occuring
- tactile stimulation is used to prompt baby to restart breathing
- IV caffeine can be used to prevent apnoea and bradycardia in babies with recurrent episodes
what is respiratory distress syndrome
it affects premature neonates, born before the lungs start to produce adequate surfactant
what is seen on chest Xray in respiratory distress syndrome
ground glass appearance
what is the pathophysiology of respiratory distress syndrome
- inadequate surfactant leads to high surface tension within alveoli
- this leads to lung collapse (atelectasis) and it is more difficult for alveoli to expand
- this leads to inadequate gaseous exchange resulting in hypoxia, hypercapnia and respiratory distress
what is the management of respiratory distress syndrome
- antenatal steroids given to mothers with suspected or confirmed preterm labour
- intubation and ventilation to assist breathing
- endotracheal surfactant which is an artificial surfactant delivered into the lungs via an endotracheal tube
- continuous positive airway pressure to keep lungs inflated while breathing
- supplementary oxygen to maintain between 91-95% in neonates
what are short term complications of respiratory distress syndrome
pneumothorax
infection
apnoea
intraventricular haemorrhage
pulmonary haemorrhage
necrotising enterocolitis
what are long term complications of respiratory distress syndrome
chronic lung disease of prematurity
retinopathy of prematurity
neurological, hearing and visual impairment
what is necrotising enterocolitis
disorder affecting premature neonates where part of the bowel becomes necrotic. This can lead to perforation, peritonitis and shock
what are risk factors for developing NEC
very low birth weight or very premature
formula feeds
respiratory distress and assisted ventilation
sepsis
patient ductus arteriosus and other congenital heart disease
how doe necrotising enterocolitis present
intolerance to feeds
vomiting, particularly with green bile
generally unwell
distended tender abdomen
absent bowel sounds
blood in stool
what investigations should be done in suspected necrotising enterocolitis
bloods - FBC, CRP, capillary blood gas, blood culture
Abdominal X-ray
what can x ray show in necrotising enterocolitis
dilated loops of bowel
bowel wall oedema
pneumatosis intestinalis - gas in the bowel
pneumoperitoneum
gas in the portal veins
what is pneumoperitoneum
it is free gas in the peritoneal cavity and indicated perforation
how is necrotising enterocolitis managed
- Nil by mouth
- IV fluids
- total parenteral nutrition
- antibiotics
- NG tube can be inserted to drain fluid and gas from the stomach and intestines
- immediate referral to the neonatal surgical team
what surgical interventions may be done for necrotising enterocolitis
removal of the dead bowel tissue
may be left with temporary stoma
what are complications of necrotising enterocolitis
perforation and peritonitis
sepsis
death
abscess formation
strictures
recurrence
long term stoma
short bowel syndrome after surgery
what is bronchopulmonary dysplasia
it is a form of chronic lung disease affecting newborns, most often those premature.
the bronchi are damaged causing tissue destruction in the alveoli
are babies born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
no the condition results from damage to the lungs usually caused by mechanical ventilation and long term use of oxygen
what can cause bronchopulmonary dysplasia
can occur when newborns lungs are underdeveloped at birth, requiring the use of a ventilator or oxygen therapy. because their lungs are vulnerable high amounts of inhaled oxygen and pressure may overstretch the alveoli causing inflammation and damage to the inner lining of the airways, alveoli and blood vessels surrounding them
what conditions are linked with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
respiratory distress syndrome
patent ductus arteriosus
what are the symptoms of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
rapid breathing
laboured breathing
wheezing
need for continuous oxygen after 36 weeks
difficulty feeding
repeated lung infections
how does bronchopulmonary dysplasia affect a babies health long term
trouble feeding
GORD
pulmonary hypertension
delayed speech
learning difficulties
heard defects
infections
how is bronchopulmonary dysplasia diagnosed
clinical evaluation, degree of prematurity and the need for oxygen after certain ages
how is bronchopulmonary dysplasia treated
no specific cure but treatment focuses on minimising further lung damage and providing support to the newborns lungs to heal and grow
- diuretics to decrease fluid in lungs
- bronchodilators
- corticosteroids
- viral immunisation
- cardiac medications
more severe cases may need oxygen for several months such as BiPAP
when do symptoms of bronchopulmonary dysplasia usually subside
by the age of 2-3 and treatment usually ends by 5 years of age
what is meconium aspiration syndrome
respiratory distress in neonates born through meconium stained liquor
what are risk factors are there for developing meconium aspiration syndrome
being born through meconium stained liquor which increases with postdates gestation and small for gestational age
what are clinical features of meconium aspiration syndrome
meconium stained liquor
respiratory distress at or shortly after birth
chest x ray showing hyperinflation, patchy opacification and consolidation
increased oxygen requirements
how can meconium affect the respiratory system
respiratory distress: damaging affect on surfactant and its metabolism resulting in reduced surfactant
pneumonitis: irritation and inflammation
bacterial pneumonia: e.coli
pneumothorax
what are differential diagnosis for meconium aspiration syndrome
other causes of respiratory distress in newborn
- transient tachypnoea of the newborn
- delayed transition from foetal circulation
- sepsis
- congenital pneumonia
- persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
- pneumothorax
- hypovolaemia
what investigations are done for meconium aspiration syndrome
pre and post ductal saturations to assess respiratory involvement
capillary gas or venous gas
bloods: FBC, CRP, cultures
imaging: CXR
what is preventative management for meconium aspiration syndrome
prevention of fetal hypoxia and prevention of postdates gestation
can have oropharyngeal suctioning if there is meconium obstructing the airway
what is management of meconium aspiration syndrome post delivery
asymptomatic infants with APGAR>9 don require additional monitoring
infants with resp distress after birth should be admitted to the neonatal unit for 4-6 hours
management is supportive
- oxygen therapy where needed
- assisted ventilation if required
- some infants may need sedation and surfactant therapy
- antibiotic prophylaxis