Renal And Urology Flashcards
What is acute pyelonephritis ?
When the infection affects the tissue of the kidney. It can lead to scarring in the tissue and consequently a reduction in kidney function.
How does a baby present with a UTI ?
Fever
Lethargy
Irritability
Vomiting
Poor feeding
Urinary frequency
What are the features of a UTI in older infants and children ?
Fever
Abdominal pain - suprapubic pain
Vomiting
Dysuria
Urinary frequency
Incontinence
How is acute pyelonephritis diagnosed ?
A temperature greater than 38 degrees
Loin pain or tenderness
What do nitrites in a urine dip suggest ?
Gram negative bacteria such as E. coli break down nitrates into nitrites.
What does leukocytes in the urine indicate ?
There are normally a small number of leukocytes in the urine however a significant rise can be the result of an infection or another cause of inflammation.
What is the management of a UTI ?
All children under 3 months with a fever should start immediate antibiotics.
Antibiotics for UTI :
- trimethoprim
- nitrofurantoin
- cefalexin
- amoxicillin
What should be done if a child is having recurrent UTI’s ?
USS
DMSA scan
Micturating cystourethrogram
What is vesico-ureteric reflux ?
This is where the urine has a tendency to flow from the bladder back into the ureters.
This predisposes patients to develop upper UTI’s and subsequent renal scarring.
What is the management of vesico-ureteric reflux ?
Avoid constipation
Avoid an excessively full bladder
Prophylactic antibiotics
Surgical input
What is vulvovaginitis ?
It refers to inflammation and irritation of the vulva and vagina.
Commonly affects girls between the ages of 3 and 10.
What causes vulvovaginitis ?
The irritation is caused by sensitive and thin skin and mucosa around the vulva and vagina in young girls.
The vagina is more prone to colonisation and infection with bacteria spread from faeces.
What can exacerbate vulvovaginitis ?
Wet nappies
Use of chemicals or soaps in cleaning the area
Tight clothing that traps moisture or sweat in the area
Poor toilet hygiene
Constipation
Threadworms
How does vulvovaginitis present ?
Soreness
Itching
Erythema around the labia
Vaginal discharge
Dysuria
Constipation
What is seen on a urine dip in vulvovaginitis ?
Leukocytes but no nitrites
What is the management of vulvovaginitis ?
Generally no medical treatment is required
Avoid washing with soap and chemicals
Avoid perfumed or antiseptic products
Good toilet hygiene
Keep the area dry
Emollients
What is nephrotic syndrome ?
Occurs when the basement membrane in the glomerulus becomes highly permeable to protein, allowing proteins to leak from the blood into the urine.
What are some signs of nephrotic syndrome ?
Frothy urine
Generalised oedema
Pallor
What is the classic triad of nephrotic syndrome ?
Low serum albumin
High urine protein content
Oedema
What are some other features of nephrotic syndrome not in the classic triad ?
Deranged lipid profile - high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins
High blood pressure
Hyper-coagulability
What are some causes of nephrotic syndrome ?
Minimal change disease
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Diabetes
Infection - HIV, hepatitis
What is minimal change disease ?
Most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children.
Urinalysis shows small molecular weight proteins and hyaline casts.
What is the management of minimal change disease ?
Corticosteroids - prednisolone
What is the management of nephrotic syndrome ?
High dose steroids - prednisolone are given for 4 weeks and then weaned off for over 8 weeks
Low salt diet
Diuretics
Albumin infusion - if severe
Antibiotic prophylaxis
What are some complications of nephrotic syndrome ?
Hypovolaemia
Thrombosis
Infection
Acute or chronic renal failure
Relapse
What is nephritis and what does it cause ?
Inflammation within the nephrons of the kidneys
- Reduction in kidney function
- haematuria
- proteinuria
What are the 2 most common causes of nephritis in children ?
Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
IgA nephropathy - Berger’s disease
What is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis ?
Occurs 1-3 weeks after a beta-haemolytic streptococcus infection such as tonsillitis.
Immune complexes made up of streptococcal antigens, antibodies and complement proteins get lodged in the Glomeruli of the kidney and cause inflammation.
What is the management of post streptococcus Glomerulonephritis ?
Supportive however if there are complications give :
Antihypertensives
Diuretics
What is IgA nephropathy ?
Also known as Berger’s disease.
This condition is related to Henoch-Schonlein Purpura which is an IgA vasculitis.
IgA deposits in the nephrons of the kidney causes inflammation.
What does IgA nephropathy show on biopsy ?
IgA deposits
Glomerular mesangial proliferation
What is the management of IgA nephropathy ?
Supportive treatment of renal failure
Immunosuppressant medications such as steroids and cyclophophosphamide
What is haemolytic uraemic syndrome ?
Involves thrombosis in small blood vessels throughout the body, usually triggered by shiga toxins from either Ecoli 0157 or shigella.
Often follows gastroenteritis
What is the classic triad of haemolytic uraemic syndrome ?
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
Acute kidney injury
Thrombocytopenia