Pediatric Conditions Flashcards
What is an Apgar score?
A method of objectively reporting the health of a newborn shortly after it is delivered. Score is determined by rating 5 different criteria:
Appearance (skin color) Pulse Grimace (reflex irritability) Activity (muscle tone) Respiration
Each scored 0, 1, or 2.
Score of 7 or above is considered good
Score below 3 indicates the need for immediate medical attention
When is an Apgar score determined?
Administered to newborn at 1, 5, 10 minutes after birth.
Continues every 5 minutes if infant is having difficulties
Describe the characteristics of an Apgar score of 0.
Appearance (skin color): Blue/Pale
Pulse: Absent
Grimace (reflex irritability): No response to stimulation
Activity (muscle tone): No movement, ‘floppy’
Respiration: Absent
Describe the characteristics of an Apgar score of 1.
Appearance (skin color): Normal body color, except blue hand and feet
Pulse: Below 100 beats per minute
Grimace (reflex irritability): Minimal response to stimulation
Activity (muscle tone): Flexing of the arms and legs
Respiration: slow, irregular
Describe the characteristics of an Apgar score of 2.
Appearance (skin color): Normal color ‘pink’
Pulse: Above 100 beats per minute
Grimace (reflex irritability): Pulls away, sneezes or coughs
Activity (muscle tone): Active movement
Respiration: Vigorous cry
What is meconium aspiration syndrome?
Due to bowel movement in utero (meconium) that mixes with amniotic fluid
Near-term or term infant inhales substance and can develop respiratory distress
What is respiratory distress syndrome?
Respiratory distress due to atelectasis caused by insufficient surfactant in premature lungs
May lead to acute respiratory failure and death
What is bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
Chronic lung disease as a result of damage to lungs from mechanical ventilation, oxygen administration, and chronic RDS
What is periventricular leukomalacia?
Necrosis of white matter adjacent to ventricles of brain due to systemic hypotension or ischemia
May result in cerebral palsy
What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)?
Ductus arteriosus (temporary vessel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery) should close soon after birth
Non-oxygenated blood is circulated
What is failure to thrive?
Infant lacks adequate nutritional intake
Infant can present with development delays
What is cerebral palsy?
An umbrella term used to describe movement disorders due to brain damage that are non-progressive and are acquired in utero, during birth or infancy.
Describe the distributions of involvement for CP. (4)
Monoplegia = one extremity Diplegia = Bilateral LE involvement, but UE can be affected Hemiplegia = unilateral involvement of the UE and LE Quadriplegia = involvement of the entire body
List 6 movement types/disorders associated with CP.
- Spastic = increased tone, lesion of motor cortex, or projections from motor cortex
- Athetoid = fluctuating muscle tone, involuntary slow writhing movements, lesion of basal ganglia
- Ataxia = instability of movement, lesion of cerebellum
- Dystonia = involuntary movements with sustained contractions
- Hypotonia = decreased muscle tone
- Mixed = can present with a multiple/mixture of movement disorders
List 7 impairments associated with all classifications of CP.
- Insufficient force generation
- Tone abnormality
- Poor motor control
- Poor regulation of muscle activity
- Decreased ability to learn unique movements.
- Abnormal patterns of movement in total flexion and extension
- Presence of primitive reflexes
List 5 impairments associated with spastic CP.
- Increased muscle tone in antigravity muscles
- Abnormal posture/movements with mass patterns of flexion/extension
- Imbalance of tone may cause contractures
- Visual, auditory, cognitive and oral motor deficits may be present
- Crouched gait = walks with hip flexion, hip internal rotation, and knee flexion. May also toe walk.
List 5 impairments associated with athetoid CP.
- Generalized decreased muscle tone, floppy baby syndrome
- Poor functional stability, especially in proximal joints
- Ataxia and incoordination in upright position, with decreased BOS and muscle tone fluctuations
- Poor visual tracking, speech delay and oral motor problems
- Tonic reflexes (STNA, ATNR and TLR) may be persistent, blocking functional postures and movements.
List 8 impairments associated with ataxic CP.
- Low postural tone with poor balance
- Stance and gait are wide based
- Intention tremor of hands
- Uncoordinated movement
- Ataxia follows intial hypotonia
- Poor visual tracking, nystagmus
- Speech articulation problems
- May occur with spastic or athetoid CP
Describe proper positioning for a patient with CP when utilizing a wheelchair.
- Maintain head in neutral position
- Trunk upright
- Hips, knees and ankles at 90 deg flexion
- W/C seat may be tilted posteriorly to decrease extensor tone and maintain hip flexion
What milestone is a good prognosis for ambulation for children with CP? What age will most children walk by if ambulation is possible?
Good prognosis for ambulation = if a child can sit independently by 2 years of age
If a child is going to walk, most will walk by 8 years of age