Paeds Corrections Flashcards
What is the ‘traffic light system’ for feverish illness?
Guidlines for risk stratification of children under the age of 5 years presenting with a fever.
What 4 observations should be recorded in all febrile children?
1) Temp
2) HR
3) RR
4) CRT
If the child is <4 weeks old, how should temperature be measured?
With an electronic thermometer in the axilla
or
With an electronic/chemical dot thermometer in the axilla
or
With an infra-red tympanic thermometer.
What RR is a ‘red flag’ in febrile illness in children <5?
> 60
How should immunisation dates be adjusted for babies born prematurely?
Give as per normal timetable (i.e. all babies, including those born prematurely, should receive their first set of vaccinations at 8 weeks from birth).
Why are immunisations given as per normal timetable in premature babies?
As premature babies are at higher risk of infections and therefore need protection provided by vaccines as soon as possible.
What is roseola infantum ((also known as exanthem subitum?
A common disease of infancy caused by the human herpes virus 6 (HHV6).
Features of roseola infantum?
1) high fever: lasting a few days, followed later by a
2) maculopapular rash
3) Nagayama spots: papular enanthem on the uvula and soft palate
4) febrile convulsions occur in around 10-15%
5) diarrhoea and cough are also commonly seen
Is school exclusion required for roseola infantum?
No
If a formula-fed baby is suspected of having mild-moderate cow’s milk protein intolerance, what is the 1st line management step?
Trial of extensively hydrolysed formula
What is scarlet fever?
A reaction to erythrogenic toxins produced by Group A Strep.
How is scarlet fever spread?
Via the respiratory route by inhaling or ingesting respiratory droplets or by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, (especially during sneezing and coughing).
What is the peak age incidence for scarlet fever?
4 years
Features of scarlet fever?
1) Fever: lasts 24-48h
2) Malaise, headache, N&V
3) Sore throat
4) ‘Strawberry’ tongue
5) Rash
What texture is the rash in scarlet fever often described as having?
A rough ‘sandpaper’ texture
Where does the rash in scarlet fever typically affect?
Generally appears first on the torso and spares the palms and soles.
Describe the rash in scarlet fever
1) Fine punctate erythema (‘pinhead’).
2) Generally appears first on the torso and spares the palms and soles.
3) Children often have a flushed appearance with circumoral pallor.
4) The rash is often more obvious in the flexures.
5) It is often described as having a rough ‘sandpaper’ texture.
6) Desquamination occurs later in the course of the illness, particularly around the fingers and toes.
How is a diagnosis of scarlet fever made?
A throat swab is normally taken but Abx treatment should be commenced immediately, rather than waiting for the results.
1st line management of scarlet fever?
Oral penicillin V for 10 days (azithromycin in pencillin allergy).
When can children with scarlet fever return to school?
24h after starting Abx
Is scarlet fever a notifiable disease?
Yes
What is the most common complication of scarlet fever?
Otitis media
Give some complications of scarlet fever
1) Otitis media
2) Rheumatic fever
3) Acute glomerulonephritis
4) Invasive complications e.g. bacteraemia, meningitis, necrotising fasciitis (rare)
How soon after scarlet fever can rheumatic fever occur?
20 days after infection
When is the meningitis B vaccine given?
At 2, 4 and 12-13 months.
What are the 3 most common fractures associated with child abuse?
1) Radial
2) Humeral
3) Femoral
If a newborn baby has an abnormal hearing test at birth, what are they offered next?
Auditory brainstem response test
When is bow legs in a child a normal variant?
<3
Usually resolves by the age of 4
What can be prescribed as rescue medication for recurrent febrile seizures?
Rectal diazepam or buccal midazolam
What is the first-line treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants under six months of age?
Pavlik harness (dynamic flexion-abduction orthosis).
A common complication of chickenpox is 2ary bacterial infection of the lesions.
What increases this risk?
NSAIDs
How may 2ary bacterial infection of chickenpox present?
Whilst this commonly may manifest as a single infected lesion/small area of cellulitis, in a small number of patients invasive group A streptococcal soft tissue infections may occur resulting in necrotizing fasciitis
What are 4 rare complications of chickenpox?
1) pneumonia
2) encephalitis (cerebellar involvement may be seen)
3) disseminated haemorrhagic chickenpox
4) arthritis, nephritis and pancreatitis may very rarely be seen
What is Epstein’s pearl?
A congenital cyst found in the mouth.
They are common on the hard palate, but may also be seen on the gums where the parents may mistake it for an erupting tooth.
Management of Epstein’s pearl?
No treatment is generally required as they tend to spontaneously resolve over the course of a few weeks.
Mx of head lice?
A choice of treatments should be offered - malathion, wet combing, dimeticone, isopropyl myristate and cyclomethicone
1st line management of meningitis in children <3 months?
IV amoxicillin + IV cefotaxime
What is the positive result for CF in a newborn heel prick test?
Raised immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT)
What organism causes perianal itching?
Enterobius vermicularis (i.e. threadworms)
1st and 2nd line management of viral induced wheeze?
1st –> SABA
2nd –> oral montelukast or inhaled corticosteroid
When should serum bilirubin be measured in babies <24 hours old if they are high risk for developing severe hyperbilirubinaemia?
Within 2 hours
Steps for newborn resuscitation?
1) Dry the baby, maintain temperature & start the clock
2) Assess tone, breathing & HR
3) If gasping or not breathing –> open airway and give 5 inflation breaths
4) Reassess for increase in HR
5) If the chest is not moving you assume the inflation breaths are inadequate and recheck head position, consider 2-person airway control and other manoeuvers and repeat inflation breaths then look for a response.
6) If the chest is moving but the heart rate is still undetectable or less than 60 beats per minute you start chest compressions at a ratio of 3 compressions to 1 inflation breath (3:1).
7) You reassess heart rate every 30 seconds, and if it is still undetectable or very slow, you consider IV access and drugs.
What is William’s syndrome?
An inherited neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 7.
Features of William’s syndrome?
1) elfin-like facies
2) characteristic like affect - very friendly and social
3) learning difficulties
4) short stature
5) transient neonatal hypercalcaemia
6) supravalvular aortic stenosis
What are elfin facies?
Characterised by a prominent forehead, widely spaced eyes, an upturned nose, an underdeveloped mandible, dental hypoplasia, and patulous lips.
What syndrome is rocker-bottom feet associated with?
Edward’s
All newborns should be tested as part of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme.
What test is used?
Otoacoustic emission test:
A computer-generated click is played through a small earpiece. The presence of a soft echo indicates a healthy cochlea.
What hearing test is done at school entry in most areas of the UK?
Pure tone audiometry
What hearing test can be if otoacoustic emission test is abnormal?
Auditory brainstem response test
What is the 1st line therapy for treatment of threadworm?
Oral mebendazole
What causes threadworm?
Enterobius vermicularis
What is exomphalos (AKA omphalocoele)?
When he abdominal contents protrude through the anterior abdominal wall but are covered in an amniotic sac formed by amniotic membrane and peritoneum.
Mx of exomphalos?
1) C-section is indicated to reduce the risk of sac rupture
2) A staged closure (starting immediately with completion at 6-12 months)
What investigations should be done in infants <3 months with a fever?
1) FBC
2) Blood culture
3) CRP
4) Urine testing for UTI
5) CXR (if respiratory signs are present)
6) Stool culture (if diarrhoea present)
What organism causes scarlet fever?
GAS
IV fluid resuscitation in children?
Bolus of 20ml/kg 0.9% NaCl over <10 mins
What RR is a red flag in paeds at ANY age?
> 60
Mx of threadworms?
Treatment of patient and ALL household contacts (even if have no symptoms) –> oral mebendazole
In what 3 situations may bronchiolitis cause a more severe infection?
1) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (e.g. premature)
2) congenital heart disease
3) CF
In paediatric BLS, how many rescue breaths are given?
5 rescue breaths, then 15 chest compressions to every 2 ventilation breaths.
Features of fragile X syndrome?
- learning difficulties
- large low set ears, long thin face, high arched palate
- macroorchidism
- hypotonia
- autism is more common
- mitral valve prolapse
What heart defect is fragile X syndrome associated with?
Mitral valve prolapse
What heart defect is William’s syndrome most associated with?
Supravalvular aortic stenosis
Inheritance of haemaphilia?
X-linked conditions
X-linked recessive conditions are only passed on from mothers (carriers) to sons. The father can only pass on the gene to his daughters who will become carriers and he cannot pass on the gene to his sons as they inherit the Y-chromosome from him.
Where is nasal flaring on the paediatric traffic light system?
Amber
Where is intercostal recession on the paediatric traffic light system?
Red
What is palivizumab given for?
Monoclonal Ab given to prevent RSV (in children who are at increased risk of severe disease).
Those at risk:
- premature infants
- infants with lung or heart abnormalities
- immunocompromised infants
What organism causes bronchiolitis?
RSV
What organism causes croup?
Parainfluenza virus
The testes can help detemine cause of precocious puberty in males.
What do the following indicate as a cause:
1) bilateral enlargement
2) unilateral enlargement
3) small testes
1) gonadotrophin release from intracranial lesion
2) gonadal tumour
3) adrenal cause (tumour or adrenal hyperplasia)
What should bowel sounds in a respiratory exam of a neonate make you think of?
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Management of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
1) Insertion of NG tube (with aim of keeping air out of gut)
2) Intubation & ventilation
3) Surgical repair
What can be done to reduce hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)?
Therapeutic cooling
Crossing the suture lines - cephalohaematoma vs caput succedaneum?
Cephalhaematoma –> does not cross suture lines
Caput succedaneum –> does cros suture lines
What does Hodgkin’s lymphoma show on blood tests?
Does NOT cause an increase in the lymphocytes, but it can cause normocytic anaemia and eosinophilia.
What are the 2 key risk factors for HL?
1) HIV
2) EBV
WHat is the most common presenting complaint of HL?
Lymphadenopathy –> usually painless, non-tender, asymmetrical.
Most commonly in the neck (cervical/supraclavicular).
When may lymph nodes be painful in HL?
Alcohol-induced lymph node pain is characteristic of Hodgkin’s lymphoma but is seen in less than 10% of patients.
What characterises CML?
- anaemia
- splenomegaly
- an increase in granulocytes at different stages of maturation
- occasionally accompanied by thrombocytosis