Paeds infection (ILA 1) Flashcards
What is meningitis?
inflammation of the meninges
Name the most common causative organisms causing bacterial meningitis if <3 months old
Group B streptococcus
E.coli
Listeria monocytogenes
Name the most common causative organisms causing bacterial meningitis in 1 month - 6 years old
SPREAD VIA RESP SECRETION
Neisseria meningitidis = gram - ve diplococci
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Name the most common causative organisms causing bacterial meningitis if >6 years old
Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Name the causative organisms of viral meningitis
viral meningitis is the most common cause
enterovirus
Epstein Barr virus
adenovirus
mumps
List the symptoms of meningitis
fever headache photophobia neck stiffness lethargy / irritable poor feeding vomiting drowsiness seizures
List the signs of meningitis
fever purpuric rash neck stiffness bulging fontanelle positive brudzinski / kernels sign signs of shock focal neurological signs
What are the best diagnostic tests for meningitis?
- lumbar puncture and CSF changes
- blood culture
- PCR - take EDTA blood sample
- septic screen!
When should a lumbar puncture not be performed if suspect meningitis?
if suspect meningococcus
if raised ICP or focal neurological signs - this is because at risk of coning the cerebellum through the foramen magnum
Outline the typical changes in the CSF in meningitis for bacterial or viral causes
BACTERIAL turbid appearance increased polymorphs increased protein decreased glucose
VIRAL clear appearance increased lymphocytes normal / slightly increased protein normal/ slightly decreased glucose
how is meningitis managed in a child >3 months old in both the hospital and community?
hospital = IV cefotaxime community = IM benzylpenicillin
+ fluids, cerebral monitorting, mechanical ventilation
How is meningitis managed in a child <3 months old?
IV cefotaxime + Iv amoxicillin
covers for listeria
What should be given in addition to the antibiotics if suspect the cause to be Haemophilus influenzae in meningitis
dexamethasone
What is given as prophylaxis to immediate family members/ close contact of a child with meningitis?
ciprofloxacin* or rifampicin
close contact = if live with child
What are the most common causes of encephalitis?
enterovirus
respiratory viruses e.g. influenza
herpes virus
How does encephalitis present?
presents similar to meningitis …
fever
altered consciousness
seizures
How is encephalitis diagnosed?
- PCR
- EEG
- CT/MRI
How is encephalitis treated?
high dose acyclovir
What are the most common causative organisms of toxic shock syndrome?
staphylococcus aureus
group A streptococcus
What is the diagnostic criteria for toxic shock syndrome?
- fever >39
- hypotension <90 systolic
- diffuse erythematous rash and desquamation of rash on palms and soles
- > 3 organ systems involved e.g. mucositis, diarrhoea, renal or lover impairment, clotting abnormalities
How is toxic shock managed?
- manage shock - intensive care
- antibiotics e.g. ceftriaxone + clindamycin
- IV immunoglobulin
- surgical debridement of infected areas
What is necrotising fasciitis?
severe subcutaneous infection, involving tissue planes from skin down to fascia and muscle
Name the common causes of necrotising fasciitis?
Type 1= mixed anaerobes e.g. post surgery in a diabetic
Type 2= streptococcus progenies, staph. aureus
How does necrotising fasciitis present?
severe painful erythematous lesion
systemic illness
acute onset
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
How is necrotising fasciitis managed?
IV antibiotics
surgical debridement of the necrosis tissue
What is kawasaki disease?
systemic vasculitis affecting children 6 months - 4 years old and most common in children of Japanese or Afro caribbean descent
How is a clinical diagnosis of kawasaki disease made?
CRASH AND BURN (>5 days fever difficult to control) C- conjunctivitis R- rash (erythematous and desquamation) A- adenopathy (cervical lymphadenopathy) S- strawberry tongue and cracked lips H- hands and feet red and oedematous
+/- irritable, inflammation of BCG site
Which investigation is necessary to screen for complications of kawasaki disease?
ECHOCARDIOGRAM to screen for coronary artery aneurysm
children may require long term warfarin therapy if have coronary artery aneurysm