Paediatrics Week 4

Question 1

Ped RR and HR by age

Answer 1

0-3 months: RR: 30-60 HR: 90-180
3-6 months: RR: 30-60 HR: 80-160
6-12 months: RR: 25-45 HR: 80-140
1-3 years: RR: 20-30 HR: 75-130
6yrs: RR:16-24 HR: 70-110
10yrs: RR: 14-20 HR: 60-90

Question 2

PED GCS

Answer 2

Eye opening:

•	Score 4: Spontaneously
•	Score 3: To speech
•	Score 2: To pain
•	Score 1: None

Verbal response:

•	Score 5: Cooing and babbling
•	Score 4: Crying and irritable
•	Score 3: Crying with pain only
•	Score 2: Moaning with pain only
•	Score 1: None

Motor response:

•	Score 6: Spontaneous movement
•	Score 5: Withdraws when touched
•	Score 4: Withdraws with pain
•	Score 3: Abnormal flexion
•	Score 2: Abnormal extension
•	Score 1: None

Question 3

Question: What is febrile convulsions in pediatrics?

Answer 3

• Definition: Seizures occurring in children < 6 years during fever spikes.
• Typical Age: Most common in children < 2 years.
• History: Recent viral illness (e.g., ear infection); rule out trauma or overdose.
• Symptoms: Generalized tonic-clonic seizure activity, lasting < 5 minutes, full-body muscle rigidity, grunting, postictal confusion.

Question 4

Question: What is febrile seizures in pediatrics?

Answer 4

• Definition: Seizures triggered by fever in children aged 6 months to 5 years, without neurological cause.
• Postictal Phase: Child usually returns to normal within 2-10 minutes; may experience irritability or lethargy.

Question 5

Question: What is epilepsy in pediatrics?

Answer 5

• Definition: A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures not caused by acute illness.
• Diagnosis: Requires more than 2 seizures in 24 hours.
• Types: Focal seizures (localized) and generalized seizures (entire brain).
• Symptoms: Nausea, anxiety, or unusual sensations may precede the seizure.

Question 6

Question: What is meningitis in pediatrics?

Answer 6

• Definition: Inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Causes: Bacterial, viral, or other pathogens; vaccination can prevent some types.
• Symptoms: Fever, headache, vomiting, nuchal rigidity, altered mental status, petechial rash.
• Signs: Kernig’s sign (inability to flex leg) and Brudzinski’s sign (involuntary flexion when neck is flexed).

Question 7

Question: What is dehydration in pediatrics?

Answer 7

• Definition: A deficit of body water, resulting from fluid loss.
• Causes: Vomiting, diarrhea, heat exposure, inadequate fluid intake, or fever.
• Signs: Poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, weight loss, tachycardia (> 130 bpm), depressed fontanelle in infants, lethargy.

Question 8

Question: What is asthma in pediatrics?

Answer 8

• Definition: A chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and hyperreactivity.
• Triggers: Allergens, respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, smoke, and stress.
• Symptoms: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and respiratory distress.

Question 9

Question: What is bronchiolitis in pediatrics?

Answer 9

• Definition: A common respiratory infection primarily affecting children < 2 years, often caused by RSV.
• Symptoms: Cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and fever; may follow an upper respiratory infection.

Question 10

Question: What is croup in pediatrics?

Answer 10

• Definition: A viral infection leading to swelling of the trachea and larynx, causing respiratory distress.
• Symptoms: Barking cough, stridor (inspiratory wheezing), and hoarseness.
• Management: Minimize anxiety; symptoms often improve with cool, humidified air.

Question 11

Question: What is epiglottitis in pediatrics?

Answer 11

• Definition: A life-threatening inflammation of the epiglottis that can obstruct the airway.
• Symptoms: Drooling, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), respiratory distress.
• Presentation: Child appears anxious, sits forward, pallor or cyanosis; symptoms progress rapidly.

Question 12

Question: What is Kawasaki Disease in pediatrics?

Answer 12

• Definition: A rare illness in young children that causes inflammation in the blood vessels, leading to fever, rash, and swelling of lymph nodes. It can affect the heart if not treated.
• Symptoms: Prolonged fever (≥ 5 days), rash, swollen lymph nodes, redness of palms/soles, conjunctivitis.
• Complications: Can lead to coronary artery aneurysms if untreated.

Question 13

Question: What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 13

• Definition: The sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant, usually during sleep.
• Timing: Most common in infants < 6 months of age.
• Risk Factors: Prone sleeping, co-sleeping, maternal smoking, low birth weight, overheating, lack of breastfeeding, maternal age < 20, and no prenatal care.