Paeds gastro, infection and immunity Flashcards
What is the cause of GOR in babies?
Inappropriate relaxation of the LOS (functional immaturity)
By when does GOR usuallly resolve?
12 months - if persistent, may be due to GORD
How is GOR diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
- 24 hour LOS pH monitoring (it should remain above 4)
- OGD
Recall the factors affecting choice to refer for GOR
Same day referral if haematemesis, melaena or dysphagia
- Assess by paediatrician if there are:
1. Red flags (eg faltering growth)
2. Unexplained IDA
3. No improvement after 1 y/o
4. Feeding aversion
5. Suspected Sandifer’s syndrome
-Refer if there are complications
Recall the management options for GOR
- Reassure - it’s v common!
- Must sleep on back
- If breast fed: assess breast-feeding, consider alginate for 1-2 weeks, if not –> pharmacology
If formula-fed: review feeding history, try a smaller, more frequent feed and thickened formula, if doesn’t work, try alginate
What safety net should you watch out for when assessing GORD?
Keep an eye on the vomit - if it’s blood-stained or green seek medical attention
At what age does pyloric stenosis present?
2-8 weeks
Is pyloric stenosis more common in girls or boys?
Boys (4 x more common)
Recall a genetic association of pyloric stenosis
Turner’s syndrome
What is the main symptom of pyloric stenosis?
Projectile, non-billious vomiting
Recall some other symptoms of pyloric stenosis other than vomiting
Weight loss and depressed fontanelle from dehydration and loss of interest in food
Recall some signs of pyloric stenosis
Palpable ‘olive’ mass
Visible peristalsis in upper abdomen
What will be the acid-base profile in pyloric stenosis?
Hypochloraemic, hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis (may progress to a dehydrated lactic acidosis - which is the opposite biochemial picture)
What is the best investigation for pyloric stenosis?
USS - shows target lesion of >3mm thickness
You also need to do an ABG to guide management
How should pyloric stenosis be managed?
- IV slow fluid resuscitation + correct any disturbances:
1.5 x maintenance rate
5% dextrose
0.45% saline - Laparoscopic Ramstedt pyloromyotomy
What are the symptoms of colic?
Inconsolable crying and drawing up of the hands and feet - child remains distressed in between episodes
What should be considered if the colic is persistent?
Cow’s milk protein allergy or reflux
Try:
- 2 week trial of hydrosylate formula followed by
- 2 week trial of anti-reflux treatment
In what age group is appendicitis less common, and what is a more likely cause of similar symptoms in this age group?
Rare in under 3s, then it’s more likely to be faecolith (stony mass of impacted faeces)
Recall the management of appendicitis in children
GAME G: group and save A: Abx IV M: MRSA screen E: eat and drink NBM
Then laparoscopic appendectomy
What is intussusception?
Invagination of proximal bowel into distant component (telescoping distally)
What is the most common site of intussusception?
Ileum through to caecum through ileocaecal valve
Recall the appearance of stool in intussusception, and the pathophysiology of how this happens
Red-currant jelly (blood and mucus) due to venous obstruction and compression –> oedema and mucosal bleeding
This is a LATE sign
What are the causes of intussusception?
May be idiopathic
May have a physiological lead point: Peyer’s patch
May have a pathological lead point: malignancy, Meckl’s diverticulum, Henoch-Schonlein purpura
What are the symptoms of intussusception?
Intermittent colicky pain
Vomit - depending on type of intususception, may be bile-stained or not
What are the signs of intussusception?
Abdominal distention with sausage shaped mass in RUQ
Emptiness on palpation in RLQ (Dance’s sign)
Red-currant jelly stool is a late sign
What are the appropriate investigations for intussusception?
- Abdo USS: may show donut sign (think: intUSSusception)
- AXR (may be normal)
- Barium/ gastrogaffin enema if have one of 3 Ps:
- Perforation
- Peritonitis
- Pale complexion
How should intussusception be managed?
It’s an emergency
If stable:
- Fluid resuscitation
- Enema: pneumatic - forces bowel to un-telescope - take x rays throughout
If unstable:
- Don’t mess about with contrast, go in with open surgery
- Remove any non-viable bowel
What should be done if there is recurrent intussusception?
Investigate for a lead point
What is Meckel’s diverticulum?
Ileal remnant of vitello-intestinal duct on anti-mesenteric border containing ectopic gastric mucosa or pancreatic tissue
What is the rule used to remember all you need to know about Meckel’s diverticulum?
Rule of twos 2 years old 2 x more common in boys 2 feet from ileocaecal valve 2 inches long 2 different mucosae (gastric and pancreatic)
What are the signs and symptoms of meckel’s diverticulum?
Mostly asymptomatic
Painless massive PR bleeding if it bleeds
May show billious vomiting, dehydration and intractable constipation
How should meckel’s diverticulum be investigated?
Technetium scan indicates increased uptake by gastric mucosa
AXR or USS + laparoscopy
How should meckel’s diverticulum be managed?
If asymptomatic, leave it alone!
If symptomatic:
Bleeding: excise diverticulum with blood transfusion
Obstruction: excise diverticulum and lyse adhesions
Perforation/ peritonitis: Excise with perioperative Abx
How may volvulus present?
- At any age, after lying quiescent for ages
- In first few days of life, with obstruction and possible compromised blood supply –> abdo pain, billious vomiting, peritonism etc
What is the main sign of volvulus on abdo examination?
Scaphoid abdomen
How should volvulus be investigated?
- Upper GI contrast study (urgently) to assess patency if billious vomiting
- USS
How should volvulus be managed?
Urgent laparotomy
Untwist the volvulus, mobilise the duodenum, place bowel in a good position and remove any necrotic bowel
What is the first thing to exclude in suspected IBS?
Coeliac
Recall the signs and symptoms of IBS
Abdo pain - often worse before or relieved by defaecation Explosive loose or mucus stools Bloating Tenesmus Constipation
Recall the 3 most common causes of paediatric gastroenteritis in decreasing prevalence
- Rotavirus
- Campylobacter
- Shigella/ salmonella
If there is bloody diarrhoea in gastroenteritis, which microbes should be considered first?
CHESS organisms: Campylobacter Hemorrhagic E coli Entamoeba histolytica Salmonella Shigella
What investigations should be done in a case of gastroenteritis?
AXR to exclude other causes
Stool sample analysis
- for viruses = stool electron microscopy
- for bacteria = stool culture
How should paediatric gastroeneteritis be managed?
Rehydration
Learn these maintenance fluid volumes:
0-10 kg = 100mls/kg
10-20kgs = 1000mls + 50ml/kg for each kg over 10kg
20+ kgs = 1500mls + 20 mls/kg for each kg over 20kgs
If <5 use IV fluids and maintain with oral rehydration solution
If >5, give 200mls after each
What is the safety netting for how long vomiting and diarrhoea should last?
Vomiting: usually 1-2 days, must stop within 3 days
Diarrhoea: 5-7 days, must stop within 2 weeks
What is the most accurate marker of dehydration in children?
Weight loss
What is the threshold marker of dehydration for clinical dehydration and shock?
5-10% weight loss = clinical dehydration
>10% weight loss = shock
Recall the symptoms of hypernatraemia
Mnemonic: f(ull) of salt
Flushing
Oedema
Fever
Seizures
Agitation
Low urine output
Thirst
Recall the symptoms of hyponatraemia
SALT LOSS Stupor Anorexia Limp tone Tendon reflexes reduced
Lethargy
Orthostatic hypotension
Seizures
Stomach cramps
When are IV fluids (rather than ORS) indicated?
Shock, deterioration, persistent vomiting
What are the bolus fluids given in shock?
20mls/kg 0.9% saline over 15 mins (most situations)
10mls/kg 0.9% saline over 60 mins (trauma, fluid overload, heart failure)
Recall the day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 fluid resucitation requirements in neonates
Day 1: 50-60mls/kg/day
Day 2: 70-80mls/kg/day
Day 3: 80-100mls/kg/day
Day 4: 100-120mls/kg/day
Day 5: 120-150mls/kg/day
Which type of fluid should be used in fluid resus for term neonates?
Isotonic crystalloids with 10% dextrose
If giving IV fluids to a hypernatraemic child, what should be the biggest caution?
Take care with cerebral oedema (rapid reduction in plasma sodium concentration and osmolality will lead to a shift of water into the cerebral cells and may result in seizures and cerebral oedema)
When should Abx be used in gastroenteritis?
Not even indicated when cause is bacterial
Use when:
- SEPSIS
- salmonella < 6 months
- C difficile with pseudomembranous colitis
What is the post-gastroenteritis syndrome and how can it be treated?
Introduction of a normal diet results in a return of watery diarrhoea
Treat with oral rehydration therapy
What would be seen on biopsy in Crohn’s?
Non-caseating epitheloid cell granulomata
Recall some important investigations to do for Crohn’s disease
- FBC including iron, folate and B12
- Faecal calprotectin
- Colonoscopy and biopsy (cobblestones)
How should Crohn’s be treated?
- Induce remission:
- Nutritional management
- replace diet with whole protein modular diet - excessively liquid, for 6-8 weeks.
The products are easily-digested and replace lost weight
- Pharmacological management: steroids (prednisolone)
What is the classical presentation of UC?
Rectal bleeding, diarrhoea, abdo pain
What are the appropriate investigations to do in ulcerative colitis?
Same as Crohn’s
- FBC including iron, folate and B12
- Faecal calprotectin
- Colonoscopy and biopsy
What does histology reveal in UC?
Mucosal inflammation/ ulceration, crypt damage
What scores can be used to score paediatric UC?
Paediatric UC Activity Index, Truelove and Witts
What is one coexisting condition that it’s important to be aware of in ulcerative colitis?
Depression
How should UC be managed?
1st line = oral aminosalicylates - may also be used to maintain remission
2nd line - oral corticosteroid
3rd line = oral tacrolimus
Surgery in resistant disease
When does UC become an emergency?
In severe fulminating disease
What is the usual cause of toddler diarrhoea?
Underlying maturational delay in intestinal mobility
Recall some signs and symptoms of toddler diarrhoea
Varying consistency stools: well-formed to explosive and loose, may have bits of undigested vegetable
Child will be well and thriving
How is toddler diarrhoea managed?
Increase fibre and fat in diet (whole milk, yoghurts, cheese)
Avoid fruit juice and squash
What is the first-line management of constipation?
All first line:
1. Advise behavioural interventions (eg schedueled toileting, bowel habit diary, reward system)
2. Advise diet and lifestyle (adequate fluid intake)
3. Medication:
step 1 = movicol paediatric plan (dose escalates for 2 weeks)
Step 2: maintain for 6 months
Recall some important things to remember in PACES counselling for constipation
Explain movicol takes some time to work (dose increases over 2 weeks)
Encourage child sitting on loo after mealtimes to use reflex
Advise a star chart to aid motivation
What is Hirschprung’s?
An absence of ganglion cells from the myenteric (Auerbach) and submucosal (Meissner’s) plexuses
Recall 2 risk factors for Hirschprung’s
Down’s, Men2a
Recall some signs and symptoms of Hirschprung’s
Failure to pass meconium in first 24 hours
Explosive passage of liquid/ foul stools
If Hirschprung’s doesn’t present in first few days of life, what may happen?
May then present in a week or two with life-threatening Hirschprung’s enterocolitis (C diff)
How should Hirschprung’s be investigated?
- AXR (if obstruction)
- Contrast enema (showing dilated distal and narrowed proximal segments)
- Definitive diagnosis is via suction-assisted full-thickness rectal biopsy showing absence of ganglion cells
What is the management of Hirschprungs?
1st line - bowel irrigation
Also 1st line - endorectal pullthrough (colostomy followed by anastomosing normally innervated bowel)
Recall the principles of management for anal fissure
Ensure stools are soft and easy to pass (conservative)
Increase dietary fibre and fluid intake
Anal hygeine
Safety net: seek further help if not healed within 2 weeks
Recall all the principles of management for threadworm
Single dose of an anti-helminth (mebendazole) for the whole household
Advise rigorous hygeine for 2 weeks if on mebendazole, or 6 weeks if using hygeine measures alone
Exclusion from school/ nursery is not required
What can cause a temporary lactase deficiency?
Gastroenteritis, Crohn’s, coeliac, alcoholism
What should be excluded in suspected lactose intolerance?
Gastroenteritis (stool sample)
Crohn’s (faecal calprotectin)
Coeliac (anti-tTG/EMA)
How is a diagnosis of lactose intolerance made?
It’s a clinical diagnosis
- trial a 2 week lactose-free diet and see how symptoms are
- Breath hydrogen test: early rise in H2 following CHO ingestion
How is secondary lactose intolerance managed?
Cut out dairy to allow time to heal
May need calcium and vit D supplements
Digestive ensymes can be taken in a capsule before eating lactose until gut matures/ heals
Recall 2 genetic associations with Coeliac’s?
HLA DQ2 (95%), DQ8 (80%)
Recall the symptoms of coeliac in children
Failure to thrive, abdo distention, bloating, irritability
When does coeliac disease first present in children?
8-24months after introduction to wheat foods
How is coeliac disease diagnosed?
Most sensitive = IgA TTG
Or (less sensitive) = IgA anti-EMA
What other investigations are useful in coeliac disease?
FBC and blood smear to look for anaemia
In older children/ adults: OJD and biopsy can confirm diagnosis
In younger children there is no histopathological confirmation
How should coeliac disease be managed?
Cut out all wheat, rye and barley
Dietician referral and annual review
Support sources: Coeliac UK
What might be the consequences of non-adherence to diet in coeliac disease?
Micronutrient deficiency, osteoporosis, EATK, hyposplenism
What is mesenteric adenitis?
Swollen lymph glands that cause temporary abdo pain following infection