PAEDS - cardio, resp, GI Flashcards
define croup
acute infective URT disease affecting young children
epidemiology of croup
a) time of year
b) age
a) spring/autumn
b) 6m-2y
what causes croup?
MAINLY parainfluenza virus
others:
- influenza
- adenovirus
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RFs for croup
- young
- family hx
- congenital/acquired airway narrowing
- male gender
pathophysiology of croup
- upper resp tract infection causes oedema in the larynx
- swelling of larynx, vocal cords and trachea
- narrowing of subglottic region
classic presentation of croup
classic:
- cold-like sx in days preceding (prodromal)
- acute stridor
- barking seal like cough
- worse at night
other:
- hoarse voice
- low-grade fever
- if severe»_space; resp distress
signs of croup with respiratory distress
seal-like barking cough with:
- recession
- agitation
- lethargy
investigations for croup
often clinical diagnosis
but consider:
- ABCDE
- ENT exam
- cervical lymph nodes exam
- lung auscultation
- CXR (to exclude other causes)
what classic CXR sign will be present in croup?
steeple sign (narrowing of trachea)
management of non-severe croup
- normally self-limiting (<48h)
- supportive with fluids and rest
- sit child up during attacks
- stay off school
- can give single dose of oral dexamethasone (150mcg/kg) and repeat after 12h if required
what did croup used to be caused by before vaccinations? what did it lead to?
diptheria
led to epiglottitis > high mortality
stepwise management options in severe croup
- oral dexamethasone
- oxygen
- nebulised budesonide
- nebulised adrenaline
- intubation and ventilation
what dose of dexamethasone should be given in croup?
0.15mg/kg (single dose)
define childhood pneumonia
- acute LRT infection
- infection and inflammation of the parenchyma with consolidation
epidemiology of childhood pneumonia
relatively common - 14% of all deaths of children <5
common bacterial causes of childhood pneumonia (inc most common) (6)
- MOST = streptococcus pnuemonia
- second = H.influenzae type B (Hib)
- group A strep
- group B strep
- S.aureus
- atypical = mycoplasma pneumonia/tuberculosis
which children are likely to contract pneumonia caused by…
a) H.Influenzae type b
b) group B strep
a) pre or unvaccinated children
b) pre-vaccinated infants
how is group B strep pneumonia contracted in children
often during birth as it colonises the vagina
common viral causes of childhood pneumonia (inc most common) (4)
- most common = respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- parainfluenza virus
- influenza virus
- adenovirus
risk factors for childhood pneumonia (5)
- young age
- unvaccinated for Hib
- immunocompromise
- pre exisiting illness e.g. CF, measles
- environment e.g. crowded home, parental smoking, indoor air pollution
pathophysiology of childhood pneumonia
inflammation of lung parenchyma (lung tissue) and sputum filling the airways and alveoli
signs and symptoms of childhood pneumonia
- cough (wet + productive)
- high fever (>38.5)
- lethargy
- delirium
- high RR
- tachypnoea
characteristic chest signs of childhood pneumonia (3)
- bronchial breath sounds (harsh, equally loud on inspiration and expiration)
- focal coarse crackles
- dullness to percussion
signs indicating sepsis secondary to childhood pneumonia (6)
- tachypnoea
- tachycardia
- hypoxia
- hypotension
- fever
- confusion
investigations for childhood pneumonia
- sputum cultures and throat swabs - bacterial causes
- viral PCR - viral causes
- CXR
what will a CXR show in childhood pneumonia?
dense/fluffy opacity occupying a portion of/a whole lobe
investigations if child with pneumonia has suspected sepsis
- blood cultures
- capillary blood gas analysis (monitor resp, metabolic acidosis, lactate)
management of childhood pneumonia
a) typical
b) atypical
c) penicillin allergy
d) sepsis
a) 1st line = dispersible amoxicillin
can also add oxygen
b) add a macrolide e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
c) use macrolides as a monotherapy
d) IV abx e.g. co-amoxiclav
what immunisations can be used to help prevent childhood pneumonia? (4)
- Hib
- pneumococcus
- measles
- whooping cough
define asthma + what is it characterised by?
chronic inflammatory obstructive airway disease
characterised by bronchoconstriction and
excessive secretion production
cause of childhood asthma
normally ATOPY - tendency to develop IgE mediated reactions to common aeroallergens
pathophysiology of childhood asthma
airflow limitation caused by
1. hypersensitive bronchoconstriction
2. mucosal inflammation
3. increased mucosal production
presentation of childhood asthma
- WHEEZE
- episodic, intermittent exacerbations
- diurnal variation (worse at night and early morn)
- bilateral, widespread, “polyphonic”
- improves w bronchodilators - chest tightness
- dry cough w wheeze and SOB
- typical triggers
typical triggers for childhood asthma
- dust (house dust mites)
- animals
- cold air
- exercise
- smoke
- food allergens e.g. peanuts, shellfish, egg
diagnosis of asthma
if probability is:
a) low
b) intermediate/high
- normally clinical
- children usually not diagnosed until 2-3y
a) consider referral to specialist
b) trial of tx can be implemented, if improves sx then diagnosis is made
what investigations for asthma can be used if there’s intermediate possiblity/diagnostic doubt? (4)
- spirometry with reversibility testing (only in children >5!)
- direct bronchial challenge
- fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)
- peak flow variability with diary
medical therapy for asthma in children <5 (4 steps)
- start SABA e.g. salbutamol
- add low dose corticosteroid OR leukotrine antagonist (e.g. oral montelukast)
- add other option from step 2
- refer to specialist
medical therapy for asthma in children aged 5-12 (6 steps)
- start SABA e.g. salbutamol
- add regular low dose corticosteroid inhaler
- add LABA e.g. salmeterol
- titrate corticosteroid inhaler to medium dose. consider adding montelukast or oral theophylline
- increase corticosteriod to high dose
- refer to specialist
medical therapy for asthma in children aged 12+
same as adults!!
- start SABA e.g. salbutamol
- add regular low dose corticosteroid inhaler
- add LABA e.g. salmeterol
- titrate corticosteroid inhaler to medium dose. consider trial of montelukast, oral theophylline OR inhaled LAMA ie tiotropium
- titrate corticosteroid dose to high. combine additional tx from step 4. option of adding oral beta-2-agonist ie oral salbutamol. refer to specialist
- add oral steroids at lowest dose poss
presentation of acute asthma attack and auscultation findings
- progressively worse SOB
- signs of resp distress
- tachypnoea
- expiratory wheeze
- “tight” on auscultation, reduced air entry
asthma severity: category ‘moderate’
- peak flow 50-75% predicted
- normal speech
asthma severity: category ‘severe’
- peak flow 33-50% predicted
- saturations <92%
- unable to complete sentences in one breath
- signs of resp distress
- RR >40 in 1-5y, >30 in 5+
- HR >140 in 1-5y, >125 in 5+
asthma severity: category ‘life threatening’
- peak flow <33% predicted
- saturations <92%
- exhaustion and poor resp effort
- hypotension
- silent chest
- cyanosis
- altered consciousness/confusion
stepwise approach to managing moderate to severe cases of acute asthma
- salbutamol inhaler via spacer device
- nebulisers with salbutamol/ipratropium bromide
- oral prednisolone
- IV hydrocortisone
- IV mag sulphate
- IV salbutamol
- IV aminophylline
general staples of management for an acute asthma attack(4)
- supplementary O2
- bronchodilators e.g. salbutamol > ipratropium > magnesium sulphate
- steroids e.g. oral prednisolone or IV hydrocortisone
- abx if bacterial cause suspected
define viral-induced wheeze. what is it caused by?
an acute wheezy illness caused by viral infection with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
who is typically affected by a viral-induced wheeze? why?
typically under 3y
very small diameter airway > slight narrowing caused by inflammation and oedema leads to a proportionally larger restriction in airflow (Poiseuille’s law)
risk factors for viral-induced wheeze
family history
how to differentiate between a viral induced wheeze and asthma
viral induced wheeze:
- presents <3
- no atopic hx
- only occurs during viral infections
signs and symptoms of a viral-induced wheeze
- transient and episodic wheezing episodes
- viral illness (fever, cough, coryzal sx) for 1-2 days preceding….
- SOB
- signs of resp distress
- expiratory wheeze throughout the chest
management of viral-induced wheeze
a) moderate
b) severe/life-threatening
SAME AS ACUTE ASTHMA
a) - nebulised salbutamol
- nebulised ipratropium bromide
- steroids e.g. oral pred or IV hydrocortisone
- abx if evidence of infection
b) stepwise:
- O2
- salbutamol inhaler via spacer device
- nebulisers with salbutamol/ipratropium bromide
- oral prednisolone
- IV hydrocortisone
- IV mag sulphate
- IV salbutamol
- IV aminophylline
what type of wheeze in children is never heard in asthma or viral-induced wheeze? what should you suspect in this case?
asthma/viral-induced will never cause a FOCAL WHEEZE
be cautious of airway obstruction e.g. inhaled foreign body or tumour
what examination is contraindicated in croup? why?
throat examination
can cause child to get agitated > rapid airway constriction
management of a child with croup if they have an audible stridor at rest
admit to paediatric ward - stridor at rest = red flag for admission
what is bronchiolitis?
a lower respiratory viral infection of the bronchioles
which virus causes bronchiolitis?
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
epidemiology of bronchiolitis:
a) who?
b) when?
a) common in <2y (mostly <6m)
b) winter and spring months
risk factors for bronchiolitis
- breast fed for <2m
- smoke exposure e.g. parents
- siblings who attend nursery/school
- chronic lung disease from prematurity
- neuromusc disorder preventing clearance e.g. CF
physiological changes in bronchiolitis (4)
- proliferation of goblet cells > excess mucus
- IgE-mediated type 1 allergic reaction > inflammation
- bronchiolar constriction
- infiltration of lymphocytes, cytokines, chemokines
signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis
SX
- typically increasing over 2-5 days
- low-grade fever
- starts with coryzal sx e.g. nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea
- then chest sx e.g. cough, wheeze
- feeding difficulties
SIGNS
- inspiratory crackles
- expiratory wheeze
- hyperinflated chest
what lung sounds are heard in bronchiolitis?
inspiratory crackles
expiratory wheeze
investigations for bronchiolitis
- nasopharyngeal aspirate or throat swab - RSV rapid testing and viral cultures
- FBC
- blood/urine cultures (IF fever)
signs of respiratory distress in an ill child (8)
- raised RR
- use of accessory muscles e.g. sternocleidomastoid, abdo, intercostal
- recessions
- nasal flaring
- head bobbing
- tracheal tugging
- cyanosis
- abnormal airway noises e.g. grunting, wheezing, stridor
indications for an infant with bronchiolitis to be admitted? (9) (age, MHx, milk intake, RR, O2, signs)
- <3m
- pre-existing condition e.g. prematurity, DS, CF
- 50-75% or less of their normal milk intake
- clinical dehydration
- RR >70
- O2 <92%
- moderate to severe resp distress
- apnoeas
- parents not confident in ability to manage at home
typical management of bronchiolitis
supportive at home - adequate fluid/milk intake, nasal suctioning, rest
if in hosp - O2, may provide NG feeding
what preventional vaccine can be given to babies who are at high risk if they get bronchiolitis? when is it given and who is high risk?
a) palivizumab
b) given monthly in high risk season (oct-mar)
c) babies with CF, immunocompromise, CHD etc
what is cystic fibrosis?
an autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene
what does the CFTR gene code for? where in the body is implicated?
encodes the CFTR protein - a chloride (Cl-) channel found in epithelial tissues e.g. lungs, pancreas, intestines, sweat glands and reproductive organs
how is CF passed on genetically?
it is autosomal recessive so both parents need to be carriers for the child to demonstrate the disease
epidemiology of CF
- 1/2 caucasian europeans are carriers
- most common lethal genetic disease in caucasian population
briefly outline the pathophysiology of CF in the
a) lungs
b) pancreas
c) GI tract
d) reproductive tract
OVERALL - cells can’t transport Cl-
a) Cl- becomes trapped inside mucus-secreting cell rather than outside > less Cl- in mucus > water not attracted in > thickened mucus > impeded mucus clearance > chronic infection and inflammation
b) pancreatic duct is occluded in-utero > permanent damage to exocrine pancrease and insufficiency
c) small intestine secretes viscous mucus > bulky stools > bowel obstruction
d) 95% males infertile
presentation of CF in neonates (4)
- failure to pass first meconium
- bilious vomiting
(both signs of meconium ileus (small bowel obstruction) - failure to thrive
- prolonged neonatal jaundice
presentation of CF in infancy > childhood (5)
- failure to thrive
- recurrent chest infections (wet-sounding cough), chronic sinusitis
- pancreatic insufficiency - steatorrhea, diabetes
- nasal polyps
- chronic lung disease
when is CF normally identified? why?
in neonates - newborn screening (bloodspot test)
this is only a screening - still needs diagnostic testing
what is the gold std investigation for CF?
chloride sweat test - will be >60mmol/L
what happens when a sweat test is positive when investigating CF?
this is not sufficient to diagnose CF - need second test or identification of genetic mutation through genetic analysis
management for the respiratory sx of CF (4)
- 1st line = chest physiotherapy twice daily
- mucolytics e.g. DNase (reduces viscosity)
- inhaled bronchodilator e.g. salbutamol
- inhaled corticosteroid e.g. budesonide
management of pancreatic disease in CF
- pancreatic enzyme supplementation (creon)
- fat soluble vitamin (A, D and E) supplements
which bacteria are key colinisers in children with CF? which is particularly troublesome?
psuedomonas aeuruginosa (most troublesome, hard to treat and worsens prognosis)
staph aureus
how long should children with CF be on a course of antibiotics in the case of airway infections?
at least 2 weeks
what is the most likely infection a neonate will develop if the mother transmits group B strep?
neonatal sepsis
how is Pseudomonas aureginosa colinisation treated in children with CF?
aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin) or quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
think aureGinosa - Gent
Psuedo - cipro (sip)
what is acute epiglottitis?
a rare but serious infection of the supraglottis (upper part of larynx including epiglottis) that may cause airway compromise
an airway emergency in children!
what age group is most commonly affected by acute epiglottitis?
2-6 years old
most common bacterial cause of acute epiglottitis
haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
RFs for acute epiglottitis (3)
- non vaccination with Hib
- immunocompromised
- young age
signs and symptoms of acute epiglottitis
- high fever
- sore throat
- dribbling
- difficulty breathing
- dysphagia
- hoarse voice
- muffled voice
which classic positioning do children display with acute epiglottitis?
the tripod position - sitting/standing while leaning forward with the hands on the knees/other surface
how is acute epiglottitis diagnosed?
if suspected do NOT try to examine the throat
diagnose by direct visualisation by a specialist - once in OP theatre and airway stabilised can perform laryngoscopy (will see swelling of supraglottic structures)
initial management of acute epiglottitis?
- immediate senior involvement including airway specialists e.g. anaesthetics and ENT
- endotracheal intubation may be needed
- IV abx - cefotaxime or ceftriaxone
- supplemental O2
- consider corticosteroids e.g. dexamethasone
later management of a child with acute epiglottitis (once no longer intubated)
oral amoxicillin
what criteria is needed to be passed for a child to be discharged following an acute asthma attack? (3)
- peak flow must be >75% expected
- have had inhaler technique checked and recorded
- be stable on discharge medications for at least 12-24h
what is the target oxygen saturation level in acutely asthmatic patients?
94-98%
define:
a) GOR
b) GORD
a) the passage of gastric contents into the oesophagus with/without regurgitation or vomiting
b) the presence of troublesome sx and/or complications of persistent GOR
what causes GOR/D in infants? (2)
- short/narrow oesophagus
- liquid diet and high caloric requirement puts strain on gastric capacity
risk factors for GOR/D in children (6)
- premature
- young infant (milk diet)
- parental hx
- obesity
- hiatus hernia
- neurodisability e.g. cerebral palsy
signs and symptoms of GOR/D in children
REGURGITATION and…
- distress e.g. excessive crying/crying while or after feeding
- milk coloured vomit
- hoarseness and/or chronic cough
- unexplained feeding difficulties e.g. refusing to feed, gagging, choking
- back arching
- faltering growth
what red flag features will NOT be present in GOR and suggest another pathology?
- frequent projectile vomiting (pyloric stenosis)
- bile stained vomit (obstruction)
- blood stained vomit (GI bleed)
- abdominal distension/tenderness (obstruction/acute surg condition)
- bulging fontanelle (meningitis, RIP)
- blood in stool (gastroenteritis, CMPA)
- chronic diarrhoea (CMPA)
- dysuria (UTI)
- fever (infection)
how does reflux and GORD differ?
it is normal for babies to reflux feeds - they have an immature LOS so contents easily reflux into oesophagus
it becomes more troublesome (GOR/GORD) when this causes the baby to become distressed
how is GOR usually investigated? what about in severe cases?
normally doesn’t require investigations
in severe cases - can do barium meal and endoscopy
management for GOR/D in babies
a) mild GOR/D
b) problematic GOR/D
a) sometimes explanation, reassurance and practical advise is all that’s needed
- small, frequent meals
- burping regularly to help milk settle
- not over-feeding
- keep baby upright after feeding
b) if problematic can give
- gaviscon mixed with feeds
- thickened milk/formula
- PPIs e.g. omeprazole (only if others inadequate!)
a) what is the name of the rare condition associated with GOR that causes brief episodes of abnormal movements in infants?
b) what are its key features?
c) what is its prognosis?
a) Sanlifer’s Syndrome
b) key features are
- torticollis (forceful neck twisting)
- dystonia (twisting movements, arching of back of unusual posture)
c) normally resolves as reflux is treated
what is poor feeding? what age group is it most common in?
conditions in children <1 year that lead to impaired oral intake and are associated with medical/nutritional/feeding skill and/or psychosocial dysfunction
tends to be <1 but can be up to 3yo
common causes of poor feeding in children? (8)
- GORD
- malrotation
- intussusception
- Hirschsprung’s
- pyloric stenosis
- gastroenteritis
- infection
- metabolic conditions
RFs for poor feeding (5)
- prematurity
- developmental delay
- anatomical abnormalities of oropharynx/GI tract
- GI surgery
- trisomy 21
signs and symptoms of poor feeding
depends on cause! but general:
- taking >30 mins to feed
- inappropriate volume of feed
- vomiting
- abdominal pain/distension
- colic
- irritability/lethargy at mealtimes
- refusing to feed
- long term = faltering growth
how is poor feeding investigated? what should be considered?
process of ruling out possibilities!
consider…
- temporary exclusion of cow’s milk (CMPA)
- oesophageal 24hr pH/impedence study (GORD)
- upper GI contrast study (structural probs)
- trial of lactose-free diet
- TTG antibodies (coeliac)
how is poor feeding managed?
depends on cause
general
- feeding assessment
- advice/nutritional support if anatomical abnormalities
- surgery if obstruction
- thickener/anti-reflux formula
- dietary modification
what is pyloric stenosis?
congenital hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter (opening from the stomach to the small intestine) causing gastric outlet obstruction (stomach can’t empty contents into duodenum)
epidemiology of pyloric stenosis (age, gender)
- 4-8 weeks
- more common in boys (4:1)
aetiology and RFs for pyloric stenosis
aetiology unknown!
RFs
- firstborn
- male
- family hx (especially on mum’s side)
pathophysiology of pyloric stenosis
- hypertrophy and narrowing of pyloric sphincter muscle
- gastric outlet obstruction
- excessive vomiting of stomach contents (can cause dehydration and electrolyte disturbance e.g. low Na2+ and K+)
- bile is created by liver so vomiting in PS is nonbilious as hasn’t reached liver yet!
signs and symptoms of pyloric stenosis
- FORCEFUL VOMITING
- increased frequency over time
- increased forcefulness over time
- becomes projectile e.g. “hitting wall” - loss of interest in feeding
- wave-like motion of abdomen shortly after feeding and just before vomiting
- weight loss (if delayed presentation)
- pale
what electrolyte complication can occur in pyloric stenosis? why?
hypochloric (low Cl-) hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis
baby is vomiting up hydrochloric acid from stomach
investigations for pyloric stenosis, including diagnostic
- test feed!!!
- examined after feeding
- peristalsis (rolling abdomen) seen
- palpable pyloric mass “feels like an olive” in the RUQ - blood gas analysis - hypochloric metabolic alkalosis
- abdominal USS (diagnostic!)
management for pyloric stenosis
laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (known as “Ramstedt’s operation”)
incision made in pylorus to widen canal
what is gastroenteritis?
transient infection of the gut, characterised by sudden onset of diarrhoea
epidemiology of gastroenteritis
v common
cause of morbidity in younger children
in UK - 10% of children <5y annually
most common cause of paediatric gastroenteritis:
a) in developed countries
b) bacterial
c) parasitic
a) rotavirus
b) Campylobacter jejuni
c) Giardia and Cryptosporidium
RFs for paediatric gastroenteritis (2)
- travel
- close contact with other infected ppl
signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis
- sudden change > loose, watery stools
- often accompanied by vomiting
what is important to assess when a child comes in with gastroenteritis?
dehydration!
possible signs of dehydration in a child with gastroenteritis (6)
- altered responsiveness e.g. irritable, lethargic
- decreased urine output
- sunken eyes
- dry mucous membranes
- reduced skin turgor
- sunken fontanelles
investigations for gastroenteritis
normally none needed!
assess dehydration
what is the mainstay of management in children with gastroenteritis?
preventing and/or correcting dehydration
management of a child with gastroenteritis if there is:
a) no dehydration
b) clinical dehydration
c) shock
a) prevent dehydration - continue breastfeeding, encourage fluid intake to compensate
b) fluid deficit replacement (50ml/kg), maintenance fluid, continue breastfeeding, consider supplementing with oral rehydration solution (ORS)
c) IV therapy - bolus 0.9% sodium chloride then replace fluid deficit over 24hrs
what advice should be given to a parent who’s child has gastroenteritis about returning to school?
do not return until 48 hours after last diarrhoea episode
which cardiac defects are associated with these genetic syndromes?
a) Down’s syndrome
b) Edwards’s syndrome
c) Patau’s syndrome
d) Turner’s
e) DiGeorge
f) Noonan syndrome
g) Marfan syndrome
a) AVSD
b) VSD
c) patent ductus arteriosus
d) bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta
e) arch, truncal abnormalities
f) pulmonary valve stenosis
g) aortic root dilation
which septal defects are…
a) acyanotic
b) cyanotic?
a) VSD, ASD, AVSD, PDA
b) transposition of great arteries, tetralogy of fallot, severe Ebstein’s anomaly
what is the role of the…
a) ductus venosus
b) foramen ovale
c) ductus arteriosus
in foetal circulation?
a) shunts oxygenated blood from the placenta in the umbilical vein towards the foetus’ heart, bypassing the liver
b) shunts O2 blood from the RA to the LA (bypasses lungs)
c) connects pulmonary artery with the aorta (again bypassing the lungs)
briefly describe where O2 blood from the placenta and deoxygenated blood from the foetus’ body travels in foetal circulation
- blood from placenta > right heart > left heart > body
- some to lungs BUT majority shunted through PDA > descending aorta (right heart)
what cardiac and respiratory changes occur in the foetus after birth?
- baby’s first breath
- O2 is pulmonary dilator > pulmonary resistance falls allowing blood into lungs
- foramen ovale closes (increased pul blood flow increases LA pressure and decreases RA pressure)
- ductus arteriosus closes after a few days
- aortic pressure rises
infusion of what helps to maintain ductal patency in neonates e.g. before surgery?
prostaglandin E1 (Alprostadil)
what is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease?
tetralogy of fallot
4 cardiac features of tetralogy of fallot
- pulmonary stenosis
- ventricular septal defects
- right ventricular hypertrophy
- aorta overriding the VSD
clinical features of tetralogy of fallot (4)
- pulmonary stenosis
- heart failure (before age 1)
- tet spells
- squatting
- cynaotic - blue
investigations and key findings in tetralogy of fallot (3)
- cardiac auscultation - HARSH SYSTOLIC EJECTION MURMUR over pulmonary and left sternal area
- cxray - boot-shaped heart
- echocardiogram (diagnostic)
how is tetralogy of fallot managed?
neonates: prostaglandin infusion (maintain ductus arteriosus allows blood to flow from aorta into pulmonary arteries)
surgery
beta-blockers
what is transposition of the great arteries (TGA)?
where the aorta is connected to the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery is connected to the left ventricle
O2 blood recirculates only in pulmonary circulation, deoxygenated systemic blood bypasses lungs
incompatible with life
what does survival depend on for infants born with TGA? why?
whether there is a PDA, VSD or ASD, as these will allow blood to mix
how does TGA present?
cyanosis in FIRST 24H
tachypnoea
tachycardia
failure to thrive
what is the main RF for TGA?
maternal diabetes
investigations and findings for TGA
bloods and gas - metabolic acidosis, decreases PaO2
CXR - ‘egg on a string’
diagnostic = echo
management for TGA
emergency prostaglandin infusion and surgical correction
what is the most common septal defect?
ventricular septal defect (VSD)
what is VSD? what is it’s pathophysiology? how does this explain why it’s an acyanotic defect?
- hole in the septum between the R and L ventricle
- pressure is higher in L ventricle
- so blood shunts from L to right
- O2 blood then re-enters pulmonary circulation
= pulmonary OVERcirculation - O2 blood still flowing around body but inefficient!
presentation of VSD and its classical sign on ausculation
- sweating
- fatigue
- poor weight gain
- tachypnoea/SOB
- on auscultation = pan systolic murmur at LLSE
investigations and findings for VSD
- CXR - may have cardiomegaly, pulmonary oedema, plural effusion
- echo (GOLD STD)
how is a VSD managed? when is surgical intervention indicated?
- MOST will close by themselves
- increase caloric intake
- diuretic (furosemide) to decrease fluid in circ
- ACE-Is
- digoxin
surgery if significant or causing complications later in life
what condition does VSD increase a child’s risk of?
infective endocarditis
what is ASD?
atrial septal defect - hole between left and right atrium causing L>R shunt
why is ASD commonly asymptomatic?
because the L>R shunt is at at a lower pressure than in a VSD - less pul circulation overload
classical presentation of ASD on auscultation?
split double (split, fixed 2nd heart sound) + soft ejection systolic murmur
main RF for ASD
maternal rubella
if a child with ASD is symptomatic, how may they present?
chest pain, exercise intolerance
how is ASD diagnosed?
gold std = echo
how are ASDs <5mm managed?
- conservative: should close spontaneously within 12m of birth
- if heart probs, give diuretics e.g. furosemide
how are ASDs >1cm managed?
surgery
what is ASVD? what comorbidity is it strongly associated with?
- malformation of the atrioventricular septum connecting all 4 heart chambers
- essentially an ASD and a VSD
- strong association w Trisomy 21
signs and sx of AVSD
sx:
- tachypnoea
- poor feeding
- sweating
- failure to thrive
signs:
- hyperactive precordium
- thrill
- gallop rhythm
- HF > hepatomegaly and generalised oedema/crackles
definitive management of ASVD?
surgery!!!
lifelong FU needed
what is Eisenmenger’s syndrome? what causes it to happen?
- if a septal defect e.g. VSD is left untreated
- constant L>R shunt
- increased strain on R side of heart > increased pressure on pulmonary artery > pulmonary HTN > increased pressure in RA > overcomes pressure in LA
- shunt REVERSES and becomes R>L
what will happen to a baby with Eisenmenger’s syndrome
will become blue as septal defect has become cyanotic
what is coarctation of the aorta?
narrowing of the aorta distal to the left subclavian artery - at top of descending aorta
what pathophysiological changes occur as a result of coarctation of the aorta?
- severe obstruction of blood flow in descending aorta
- significant afterload on LV
- compensatory ventricular hypertrophy