Passmed - Paeds Flashcards
Organism causing acute epiglottitis
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Acute epiglottitis signs and symtoms
rapid onset high temperature, generally unwell stridor drooling of saliva 'tripod' position: the patient finds it easier to breathe if they are leaning forward and extending their neck in a seated position
Epiglottitis dx
Diagnosis is made by direct visualisation (only by senior/airway trained staff, see below).
X-rays may be done, particularly if there is concern about a foreign body:
a lateral view in acute epiglottis will show swelling of the epiglottis - the ‘thumb sign’
in contrast, a posterior-anterior view in croup will show subglottic narrowing, commonly called the ‘steeple sign’
Epiglottitis mx
immediate senior involvement, including those able to provide emergency airway support (e.g. anaesthetics, ENT)
endotracheal intubation may be necessary to protect the airway
if suspected do NOT examine the throat due to the risk of acute airway obstruction
the diagnosis is made by direct visualisation but this should only be done by senior staff who are able to intubate if necessary
oxygen
intravenous antibiotics
Most common malignancy affecting children + peak incidence
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Peak incidence - 2-5 years
ALL symptoms and signs
Bone marrow failure
- anaemia: lethargy and pallor
- neutropaenia: frequent or severe infections
- thrombocytopenia: easy bruising, petechiae
Other features
bone pain (secondary to bone marrow infiltration)
splenomegaly
hepatomegaly
fever is present in up to 50% of new cases (representing infection or constitutional symptom)
testicular swelling
ALL poor prognostic factors
age < 2 years or > 10 years WBC > 20 * 109/l at diagnosis T or B cell surface markers non-Caucasian male sex
Aetiology of alpha thalassaemia
Deficiency of alpha chains in Hb
2 separate alpha-globulin genes are located on each chromosome 16
Clinical severity of alpha thalassaemia
If 1 or 2 alpha globulin alleles are affected - hypochromic microcytic blood film, normal Hb
If are 3 alpha globulin alleles are affected - hypochromic microcytic anaemia with splenomegaly
This is known as Hb H disease
If all 4 alpha globulin alleles are affected (i.e. homozygote) then death in utero (hydrops fetalis, Bart’s hydrops)
Causes of ambiguous genitalia in children + basic physiology
Most common cause - CAH
Other causes
True hemaphroditism
maternal ingestion of androgens
initially gonads in fetus are undifferentiated on the Y chromosome there is a sex-determining gene (SRY gene) which causes differentiation of the gonad into a testis if absent (i.e. in a female) then the gonads differentiate to become ovaries
Apgar score
https://litfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/APGAR-score-Table-3.png
0-3 very low score
4-6 moderate low
7-10 baby is in a good state
Appendicitis in <4 presentation
Uncommon
Often presents with perforation
Asthma attack in children
severe vs life-threatening
SpO2 PEF HR RR Behaviour
Severe SpO2 <92% PEF 33-50% best or predicted HR >125 (>5y), >140(1-5y) RR >30 (>5y), >40 (1-5y) Behaviour Too breathless to talk or feed Use of accessory neck muscles
SpO2 <92% PEF <33% best or predicted Behaviour Silent chest Poor respiratory effort Agitation Altered consciousness Cyanosis Increasing CO2
Asthma attack in children mx
Emergency transfer to hospital if severe or life-threating
Children >5
mild to moderate acute asthma:
Bronchodilator therapy
Salbutamol via spacer (for a child < 3 years use a close-fitting mask)
give 1 puff every 30-60 seconds up to a maximum of 10 puffs
if symptoms are not controlled repeat beta-2 agonist and refer to hospital
Steroid therapy
should be given to all children with an asthma exacerbation
treatment should be given for 3-5 days
Usual prednisolone dose used ins steroid therapy for asthma attacks
BTS
2-5
20mg OD
> 5
30-40mg OD
cBNF -
1-2mg/kg OD
Asthma mx in children >5
1) SABA
2) SABA + low dose ICS
3) SABA + low dose ICS + LTRA
4) SABA + low dose ICS + LABA
5) SABA + MART
6) SABA + moderate dose ICS MART OR moderate dose ICS + LABA
7) SABA and
- high dose ICS or
- Trial of additional drug e.g. theophylline
- Seek advice
ICS doses = paediatric doses
Asthma mx in children <5
1) SABA
2) SABA + 8 week trial of moderate dose ICS
symptoms did not resolve - review dx
symptoms resolved then recurred within 4 weeks of stopping ICS - restart ICS at a paediatric low dose
symptoms resolved then recurred beyond 4 weeks of stopping ICS - repeat 8 week trial of paediatric moderate dose ICS
3) SABA + paediatric low dose ICS + LTRA
4) stop LTRA, refer to specialist
When do you decide to put a child on maintenance + reliever therapy rather than just reliever?
Symptoms at presentation that clearly indicate the need for maintenance therapy (e.g. asthma-related symptoms >3x/week or causing waking at night)
Asthma uncontrolled with SABA alone
When do you decide to trial a child <5 on a moderate dose paediatric ICS for asthma?
Symptoms at presentation that clearly indicate the need for maintenance therapy (e.g. asthma-related symptoms >3x/week or causing waking at night)
Asthma uncontrolled with SABA alone
• Paediatric Doses for CS in asthma (budesonide or equivalent)
o Low dose
o Moderate dose –
o High dose
• Paediatric Doses (budesonide or equivalent)
o Low dose - <200 mcg
o Moderate dose – 200-400 mg
o High dose - >400 mcg
ADHD features
Persistent symptoms
Developmental delay
<16 - 6 features have to be present
>= 17 - 5 features need to be present
Inattention
Does not follow through on instructions
Reluctant to engage in mentally-intense tasks
Finds it difficult to sustain tasks
Easily distracted
Finds it difficult to organise tasks or activities
Often forgetful in daily activities
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Hyperactivity/impulsivity
Unable to play quietly
Talks excessively
Does not wait their turn easily
Will spontaneously leave their seat when expected to sit
Is often ‘on the go’
Often interruptive or intrusive to others
Will answer prematurely, before a question has been finished
WIll run and climb in situations where it is not appropriate
ADHD management in children
- 10 week watch + wait
- refer to 2ndary care
- education and training programmes for parents
- drug therapy >5, last resort
- Methylphenidate
(6 week trial) - 1st line - lisdexamfetamine - 2nd line
- dexamfetamine - if lisdexamfetamine is beneficial but side effects cannot be tolerated
SE of medication used for ADHD
Methylphenidate - Abdominal pain, N, dyspepsia
weight + height should be monitored every 6 months
cardiotoxic
ECG before treatment
ASD autism sympotms and signs
Social communication impairments and repetitive behaviours are present during early childhood (typically evident before 2–3 years of age),
Impaired social communication and interaction:
Children frequently play alone and maybe relatively uninterested in being with other children.
They may fail to regulate social interaction with nonverbal cues like eye gaze, facial expression, and gestures.
Fail to form and maintain appropriate relationships and become socially isolated.
Repetitive behaviours, interests, and activities:
Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms, inflexible adherence to nonfunctional routines or rituals are often seen.
Children are noted to have particular ways of going about everyday activities.
ASD is often associated with intellectual impairment or language impairment.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (35%) and epilepsy (18%) are also commonly seen in children with ASD.
ASD is also associated with a higher head circumference to the brain volume ratio.