Paeds ILAs Flashcards
What is sepsis?
An infection that leads to organ dysfunction- a systemic infective response
What is involved in the septic screen?
FBC (inc differential WCC)
Blood cultures
Acute phase reactant e.g. CRP
Urine MC&S
Consider if indicated- CXR, LP, rapid antigen screen on blood/CSF/fluid, meningococcal and pneumococcal PCR
LP contraindicated for meningococcal septicaemia
What would a gram film show for meningococcal septicaemia?
Gram negative diplococci
What are the CSF findings of meningococcal septicaemia?
Turbid, WCC raised (neutrophils), glucose decreased, protein increased
“the neutrophils eat the glucose to become strong and build muscle (protein)”
What is the management of meningococcal septicaemia?
ABC IV access Get bloods Fluid bolus Abx- if <3 months- cefotaxime 200mg/kg/24hr and IV amoxicillin to cover for listeria If >3 months, ceftriaxone or cefotaxime
What is the management of H.Influenzae causing bacterial meningitis?
Cefotaxime for at least 10 days
Dexamethasone may also be required
Rifampicin prophylaxis
What is further management of meningococcal septicaemia in PICU?
O2 Protect airway IVI Monitor obs and GCS Alert haematology that blood may be required Continuously monitor ECG Inotropes if needed: dobutamine or DA
How is Neisseria meningitidis spread?
Air e.g. sneezing, coughing, kissing
How are close contacts for meningococcal septicaemia patients treated?
Rifampicin or Ciprofloxacin (new guidelines)
Dose: 600mg every 12 hours for 2 days. Children under 1- 5mg/kg every 12 hours. Children 1-12 years- 10mg/kg every 12 hours.
What is a close contact?
Anyone that lives in same house, halls of residence or is in a relationship with the person.
What are common causes of bacterial meningitis in:
a) neonate- 3 months
b) 1 month- 6 years
c) >6 years
Neonatal-3 months
Group B streptococcus
E.Coli and other organisms
Listeria monocytogenes
1 month- 6 years Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
> 6 years
Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What is Brudinski sign? (bacterial meningitis)
flexion of the neck with the child supine causes flexion of the knees and hips.
What is Kernig sign? (bacterial meningitis)
With the child lying supine and with the hips and knees flexed, there is back pain on extension of the knee
Name some side effects of rifampicin
Interacts with the OCP, can stain contact lenses and turn urine red, N&D&V, headache.
Neonatal bleeding in 3rd trimester if pregnant.
Name some conditions where rifampicin prophylaxis contraindicated
Jaundice, liver failure, abnormal LFTs, alcoholism, polyphyria, diabetes.
What is Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis?
An autoimmune disease that affects a single ankle or knee
What are some signs and symptoms of JIA?
High fever
Salmon coloured rash
Eye inflammation
What physical examinations would you do for suspected JIA?
MSK exam
Abdo exam
Lymph nodes
Rash exam
Name some differential diagnoses of JIA.
Reactive arthritis Lyphoma Leukaemia Septic arthritis Transient synovitis Osteomyelitis
Investigations for JIA?
Bloods- FBC, U&E, LFTs, albumin, ESR/CRP Blood cultures Ultrasound/ Xrays CT/MRI ECHO
Management of JIA?
NSAIDS (acute)
Corticosteroids for quick symptoms relief and systemic disease
Methotrexate- if multiple joint involvement or steroid injections needed more than 3 times
Sulfasalazine and leflunomide
Etanercept (TNFa inhibitor)- for polyarticular JIA
Tocilizumab
Which professionals would be involved in the management of JIA?
Paediatrician. PT, Nurses, OT, School rep, Rheumatologist, Social Worker, GP, dietician
What is the criteria for Kawasaki’s disease?
Fever >5 days plus 4/5 of:
- Conjunctival infection- non-purulent
- Mucous membrane changes- red, strawberry tongue
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Rash
- Red and oedematous palms and soles or bleeding of fingers and toes
Differential diagnoses of Kawasaki’s disease?
Scarlett fever Measles Scalded skin syndrome JIA Strep infection
What is the management of Kawasaki’s?
Prompt treatment with IVIG within the 1st 10 days lowers the risk of coronary artery aneurysms.
Aspirin- reduces the risk of thrombosis- high dose at first (anti-inflammatory) followed by low-dose (anti-platelet)
What are the risks of using Aspirin in childhood?
-Reye’s syndrome- damaged mitochondria- liver damage- septicaemia, coma, seizures, vomiting
Renal complications- reduced GFR from decreased blood flow due to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis
- GI- epigastric distress
What is a cardiac complication of Kawasaki’s?
Coronary artery aneurysms (do ECHO +/- cardiac catheterisation with angiography)
What is a common presentation of DKA?
Confusion, vomiting, polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, abdominal pain, coma
How do you diagnose DKA?
Hyperglycaemia (>11mmol/L)
Acidosis (venous pH <7.3 and bicarb <15mmol/L)
Ketones in blood and urine
Level of acidosis categorises severity
What is the management of DKA?
1) ABC and give fluid bolus 10mls/kg
2) Rapidly confirm diagnosis- finger prick glucose, venous blood gas, urine dip
3) Formal investigation- bloods, weight, blood gas, ECG, lab urine
4) Use clinical signs to asses dehydration
5) Start IV fluids- calculate deficit and subtract bolus (use 0.9% saline with 20mmol KCl/500ml until blood glucose is lower than 14, then change to 0.9% saline with 5% dextrose 20mmol KCl/500ml)
6) Start IV insulin only after 1 hour of IV fluids (1 unit/ml solution of fast acting insulin e.g. Actrapid)
7) Stop IV insulin once blood ketone level <1mmol/L and patient is able to tolerate food
What are the 2 categories of causes of hypothyroidism?
Congenital and acquired
What are the causes of congenital hypothyroidism?
- Maldescent of the thyroid and athyrosis
- Dyshormonogenesis- common in consanguineous families
- Iodine deficiency (commonest cause worldwide)
- Hypothyroidism due to TSH deficiency
What are the clinical features of congenital hypothyroidism?
Usually asymptomatic and picked up on screening (Guthrie test- shows raised TSH)
Otherwise- failure to thrive, feeding problems, jaundice, constipation, pale, cold, mottled skin, goitre, coarse facies, large tongue, hoarse cry, delayed development
What are the clinical features of acquired hypothyroidism?
Females >males (similar to normal hypothyroid symptoms) Short stature Cold intolerance, cold peripheries Dry skin/ hair Bradycardia Delayed puberty Constipation Obesity SUFE Leaning difficulties
What is the treatment of hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine
Neonates approx 15mcg/kg/day
Adjust by 5mcg every 2 weeks to a typical dose of 20-50mcg/kg/day
What are the 4 main differentials for an unwell neonate?
Sepsis
Congenital heart disease
Metabolic
Trauma/ NAI
What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
AR disorder of adrenal steroid biosynthesis- defect in gene for 21-hydroxylase enzyme
Leads to decreased glucocorticoids (cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) and increased androgens (ACTH increase due to reduced -ve feedback from cortisol)
How do patients with decreased mineralocorticoids present?
Salt-losing crisis: metabolic acidosis (low pH, low HCO3, low CO2)
Vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, floppiness, collapse
What is the management of a salt-losing crisis?
IV sodium chloride
IV dextrose
IV Hydrocortisone (synthetic glucocorticoid)
Fludrocortisone (synthetic mineralocorticoid)
How do patients with low glucocorticoids present?
Hypoglycaemia
How do males and females present different with increased androgens?
Females- virilisation of external genitalia (more masculine)
Males- Tall structure, muscular build, acne, precocious puberty
80% males present with salt-losing crisis, the other 20% present with precocious puberty
What is the long term treatment of CAH?
Fludrocortisone
Hydrocortisone
Surgery for females
Monitor growth, skeletal maturity and plasma androgens
What can high risk women be given in pregnancy to suppress androgen secretion?
Dexamethasone
What is stridor?
Harsh musical sound on inspiration due to partial obstruction of the lower portion of the upper airway
What are the symptoms of croup?
Preceded by fever Barking cough Stridor Recession Worse at night
What must you not do when examining the child with suspected croup?
Examine the throat or lie the child down- can precipitate airway obstruction if it is acute epiglottitis
What is the causative organism of croup?
Parainfluenza virus
What age group is croup most common?
6 months-6 years (most common aged 2)
More common in autumn months
What is 1st line treatment for croup?
Dexamethasone 150mg/kg
If they don’t improve, give high flow O2 and nebulised adrenaline
Signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis?
Coryzal, breathlessness, poor feeding
Signs- nasal flaring, head bobbing, subcostal recessions, intercostal recessions, tracheal tug, grunting
Fine end inspiratory crackles, high pitched wheeze, cyanosis (on feeding)
What is the most likely causative organism for bronchiolitis?
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
What factors increase the risk of developing bronchiolitis?
Immunocompromised
Prematurity <32 weeks/ poor lung development
Congenital heart disease
What are the investigations for bronchiolitis?
PCR analysis of nasal secretions
CXR- hyperinflation
What is the management of bronchiolitis?
Supportive- humidified O2, NG feeds, fluids
Palivizumab- monoclonal antibody, IM once a month through autumn and winter. Used in CF, immunocompromised, congenital heart disease, downs