Paeds Flashcards
What ages are the following classes of children?
- Neonate
- Infant
- Young Child
- Child
- Adolescent
- Neonate – birth to 1 month
- Infant – 1 month to 2 years
- Young Child – 2 -6 years
- Child – 6-12 years
- Adolescent – 12-18 years
Name some differentials for
- looks unwell
- Inspiratory expiratory Stridor at rest
- A dry barking cough is observed
- RR 48/min, nasal flaring, moderate tracheal tug, intercostal and subcostal recession.
- She appears pink in air
Croup (parainfluenza)
Epiglottitis (Haemophilus influenzae)
Bacterial tracheitis
Foreign body
Laryngomalacia
What are the signs of anaphylaxis?
- Hypotension - Pale and sweaty
- Bronchoconstriction - Wheeze
- Airway compromise - Stridor
What questions should you ask with a Hx of allergic reaction/ anaphylaxis?
- Does your child have Asthma?
- If they have Asthma what treatment do they take?
- Do they take a regular preventer inhaler?
- When they had the initial reaction how much of the foodstuff or allergen had they been in contact with?
Allergy - How does sensitisation occur and what are the underlying physiological mechanisms involved?
Following exposure to an antigen the protein causes cross binding of two bound IgE molecules on the Mast Cell or Basophil surface. This process results in degranulation of the Mast Cell.
What are the 4 effects of histamine?
- Endothelial Cell Separation
- Localised irritation
- Vasodilatation
- Bronchoconstriction
When would you prescribe an EpiPen?
What would you prescribe instead if none of these are present?
- History of Anaphylaxis
- Previous cardiovascular / Respiratory involvement
- Evidence of airway obstruction
- Poorly controlled Asthma requiring regular inhaled corticosteroids
- Reaction to a small amount of allergen
- Ease of allergen avoidance
In the absence of these risk factors anti-histamine
what kind of course does croup follow?
Viral croup often follows an undulating course with symptoms flaring at night.
Up to a month of age the minimum milk requirement to provide enough calories to grow is what?
150mls/kg/day.
what are the 3 areas of history always relavent in paediatric history? (BIG)
- Birth history; or example prematurity
- Immunisation history; risk for specific infections
- Growth and wellbeing;
What patterns of bruising would be suspicious for NAI?
- Face, back, buttock, TEN (Torso, Ears, Neck)
- Bruise outlines a particular object e.g. hand, belt
- Pattern of bruising e.g. fingertips
What fractures would be suspicious of NAI?
- Metaphyseal fractures (twisting force)
- Rib fractures (ribcage = v complient at young age)
- Fractures of different ages
- Complex skull fractures
- Long bone shaft fractures in non-mobile child
What history would be suspicious for NAI?
- No mechanism offered / mechanism not consistent with the injury
- Delay in reporting the injury / seeking medical attention
- Inconsistent histories from parents
- Inappropriate reaction of parents e.g. vague, elusive, unconcerned, excessively distressed, aggressive
- Recurrent injuries
- Injuries inconsistent with the child’s age, development, mobility e.g. bruising in non mobile babies
What burn pattern would be suspicious for NAI?
- Uniform shape e.g. cigarette burn
- Glove-stocking distribution

Consider what clinical features a baby with non-accidental head injury may show.
- Irritability
- Poor Feeding
- Increasing head circumference
- Seizures
- Reduced GCS
- Full fontanelle
- Anaemia
- Retinal Haemorrhages
What is abusive head trauma?
What is one of the most useful diagnostic signs?
Head injury may follow severe shaking, especially in children under 6 months. This may cause rupture to the small vessels crossing the subdural space, causing a subdural haemorrhage.
Retinal haemorrhage

What investigations should be done for NAIs?
CT head
Skeletal Survey
FBC
Coagulation studies incl. von Willebrand disease
What are toddler bruises like?
- anterior shins
- bony prominences
- Single circular bruises
What is the toxic trio?
- Domestic violence
- substance abuse
- Mental illness

What is pyloric stenosis?
How does it present?
- 2-8 weeks, more male than female, presents with projectile vomiting, dehydration and olive-shaped mass in RUQ
- Thickening of the pylorus of the stomach → obstruction
How does pyloric stenosis lead to electrolyte / blood gas changes?
- Thickening of the pylorus of the stomach → obstruction
- → vomiting
- →→ projectile vomiting
- →dehydration
- →→ ↓K+, ↓Cl- (loss of HCl)
- →→→ exchange of intracellular K+ for extracellular H+ → metabolic alkalosis
How do you test for pyloric stenosis?
How do you treat it? C-M-S
Test feed + USS
C - fluids and correct electrolytes
S - pyloromyotomy
What are some differentials of bile-stained vomit?
Potential emergency!
Intestinal obstruction:
intussusception, malrotation, strangulated inguinal hernia
What investigations might you need for severe GORD in a child?
- 24hr oesphageal pH study
- endoscopy














