Paeds Resp Flashcards
What type of infection is pneumonia (URTI or LRTI)
lower respiratory tract infection
pneumonia- pathology
1- microbe manages to get past the protective mechanisms of the respiratory system (coughing, mucociliary escalator and alveolar macrophages) –> microbe multiplies and crosses from the airways to the lung tissue
2- tissue fills with white blood cells, proteins, fluids and RBCs (if capillary gets damaged) –> inflammatory response leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs
3- Many different microbes can cause pneumonia- these microbes can be acquired in different ways too
most common causative organisms of pneumonia in newborns
Group B strep most common, but also gram negative enterococci and bacilli (klebsiella, pseudomonas, pseudomonas)
most common causative organisms of pneumonia in infants and young children
RSV= most common, but also common are strep pneumonia/ H influenzae/ Bordatella pertussis/ Chlamydia trachomatis. Staph aureus is an infrequent but serious cause
most common causative organisms of pneumonia in children over 5 years
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, strep pneumoniae, chlamydia pneumoniae
which organism should be considered as a potential cause of pneumonia at all ages
mycobacterium tuberculosis
presentation of pneumonia in children
- usually preceded by an URTI, followed by fever, cough and rapid breathing
- lethargy, poor feeding
- localised chest/ abdominal or neck pain is a feature of pleural irritation and suggests bacterial infection
clinical features of pneumonia in children may include
- tachypnoea
- nasal flaring
- chest indrawing
- increased respiratory rate (most sensitive clinical sign)
- may have end-inspiratory crackles
- reduced oxygen saturation
tests for diagnosing pneumonia in children
- CXR confirms diagnosis but cannot reliably differentiate between bacterial and viral pneumonia. In a small proportion of children the pneumonia may be associated with pleural effusion where there may be blunting of the costophrenic angle on the CXR- some of these effusions may develop into empyema and fibrin strands may form, leading to septations
- in younger children a nasopharyngeal aspirate may identify viral causes. Blood tests are generally unhelpful in differentiating between viral and bacterial causes
criteria indicating hospital admission for pneumonia in children
- oxygen saturation <92%
- recurrent apnoea
- grunting
- inability to maintain inadequate fluid/feed intake
supportive care which should be provided to children with pneumonia
- oxygen if hypoxia
- analgesia if there is pain
- IV fluids should be given if necessary to correct dehydration and maintain adequate hydration and sodium balance
choice of antibiotics for children with pneumonia:
1- newborns
2- older infants
3- children over 5
1- newborns require broad-spectrum IV antibiotics e.g. gentamicin or cefotaxime
2- older infants can normally be managed with oral amoxicillin UNLESS it is pneumonia due to mycoplasma pneumonia (this should be treated with a macrolide). Broad spectrum antibiotics such as co-amoxiclav are reserved for complicated/unresponsive pneumonia
3- children over 5: amoxicillin or an oral macrolide (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin). No advantage to giving IV rather than orally if there is mild/moderate pneumonia
persistent fever despite 48hrs of antibiotics in children with pneumonia suggests…
a pleural collection which requires drainage- should be done with ultrasound guidance
characteristic feature of croup
barking cough
85% of laryngotracheal infections in children are
viral croup
most common causes of croup in children
parainfluenza= most common cause, other causes include rhinovirus, RSV and influenza
ages when croup is most common in kids
usually occurs between 6 months to 6 years of age, peak incidence in 2nd year of life
clinical features of croup
typically begins with coryza (catarrhal inflammation of mucus membranes in the nose) and fever followed by:
- hoarseness due to inflammation of vocal cords
- barking cough due to tracheal oedema and collapse
- harsh stridor and chest recession (when upper airway obstruction is mild, stridor and chest recession disappear when child is at rest and child can usually be managed at home)
- symptoms often start and are worse at night
investigations for croup
normally clinical diagnosis but CXR can be helpful:
- PA view shows subglottic narrowing (‘steeple sign’)
first line therapy for croup causing chest recession at rest
oral dexamethasone, prednisolone or nebulised steroids (budesonide)
NICE: all children should recieve a single dose of oral dexamethasone (0.15mg/kg), pred is the alternative if dexamethasone is not available.
- High flow oxygen and nebulised adrenaline can be used as emergency treatment
when should children with croup be admitted
- if they meet the criteria for moderate or severe croup
- <6 months of age
- known uppr airway abnormalities (e.g laryngomalacia or down’s syndrome)
- uncertainty about diagnosis (important differentials include acute epiglottitis. bacterial tracheitis, peritonsillar abscess and foreign body inhalation)
mild croup criteria
- occasional barking cough
- no audible stridor at rest
- no/mild suprasternal and/or intercostal recession
- child is happy and prepared to eat, drink and play
moderate croup criteria
- frequent barking cough
- easily audible stridor at rest
- suprasternal and sternal wall retraction at rest
- no or little distress/agitation
- children can be placated and is interested in surroundings
severe croup criteria
- frequent barking cough
- prominent inspiratory (and occasionally expiratory) stridor at rest
- marked sternal well recession
- significant distress and agitation, or lethargy or restlessness (a sign of hypoxaemia)
- tachycardia occurs with more severe obstructive symptoms and hypoxaemia