Respiratory Flashcards
What are the signs of respiratory distress seen in a child?
Accessory muscles Tachypnoea Grunting Nasal flaring Recession Head bobbing Tripoding - optimise use of accessory muscles Cyanosis
What is grunting caused by?
Exhaling against a partially closed glottis to keep airway open
What is the difference between a wheeze and stridor?
Wheeze is an expiratory sound caused by lower airway obstruction. Intrathoracic airway collapse
Stridor is a high pitched inspiratory sound caused by upper airway obstruction. Extra thoracic airways collapse
Name some causes of wheeze
Asthma
Bronchiolitis
Viral wheeze
Foreign body
Name some causes of stridor
Croup Foreign body Epiglottitis Laryngomalacia Vocal cord dysfunction Abscess - peritonsillar or retropharyngeal Anaphylaxis
What causes of respiratory distress should you consider? (broadly speaking)
Cardiac problems?
Structural issues?
Infective cause?
Gas exchange problem?
What duration of cough corresponds to being acute, subacute and chronic respectively?
Acute <3 weeks
Subacute 3-8 weeks
Chronic >8 weeks
What about a cough could indicate it is due to asthma?
Night time
Wheeze
Has a trigger
What features of a cough could indicate it is due to a recurrent infection?
Start with additional respiratory signs
What feature of a cough would indicate a post nasal drip or GORD
Worse on lying down
What would suggest a cough is one of habit?
Won’t cough at night
Otherwise well
What would suggest a cough has an environmental cause?
History of smoking/parental smoking
Live in polluted area
How would a cough present in a child with Cystic Fibrosis?
Begin at young age
Systemically unwell
What are the red flag signs for a cough?
Sudden onset Haemoptysis Dysphagia Moist productive cough Night sweats Weight loss Worsening cough Failure to thrive
What investigations would you consider if a child had a chronic cough?
CXR
Lung function
Skin prick
Sputum sample for culture and microscopy
How is a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea made?
Generally clinical
Can do overnight polysomnography
How is obstructive sleep apnoea managed?
Remove tonsils/adenoids
CPAP
Weight loss
Orthodontic/maxillary surgery
What should you not give to help treat obstructive sleep apnoea and why?
DONT GIVE CODEINE
Causes respiratory depression
What is cystic fibrosis?
Autosomal recessive disease leading to mutation in CFTR gene which leads to defective Cl- secretion and increased Na+ absorption
What systems can cystic fibrosis affect?
Respiratory system Pancreas Sweat Liver Intestines Bones Male fertility
How does Cystic Fibrosis present in a newborn?
Meconium ileus
Failure to thrive
Prolonged jaundice
How does meconium ileum happen in a newborn with Cystic Fibrosis?
Bowel blocked by sticky secretions leading to signs of intestinal blockage:
Bilious vomit
Abdo distention
Delay in passing meconium
Why do children with Cystic Fibrosis fail to thrive?
Malnutrition due to poor gut absorption
What is the pathophysiology behind Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome in children with Cystic Fibrosis?
Insufficient pancreatic enzymes and thick mucus –> thick dehydrated contents –> Faecal obstruction in ileocaecum
What signs of Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome would you find on examination/imaging?
Palpable RIF mass
AXR show faecal loading and junction between small and large bowel
How does Cystic Fibrosis affect the respiratory system?
Abnormal ion transport leads to thickening of mucus
Inadequate mucociliary clearance
Chronic bacterial colonization
Lung injury
What respiratory problems can be seen in Cystic Fibrosis?
Recurrent chest infections
Chronic sinusitis
Nasal polyps
Bronchiectasis
What pattern of breathing would you see on a lung function test in cystic fibrosis?
Obstructive pattern
What changes would you see on CXR in children with Cystic Fibrosis?
Hyperinflation - flat diaphragm Bronchial dilation Bronchiectasis Pulmonary artery dilation RV hypertrophy
How is Cystic Fibrosis diagnosed?
Positive history in sibling OR positive newborn screen result
AND
> 60mmol/L Cl- on sweat test OR 2 CF genetic mutations OR abnormal nasal epithelium ion transport
2 positive sweat tests confirm the diagnosis
What bacteria are children with Cystic Fibrosis particularly susceptible to?
Staph Aureus H Influenzae Pseudomonas aeruginosa Burkholderia cepacia Aspergillus
What signs would you see on examination of a child with Cystic Fibrosis?
Hyperinflation
Wheeze
Crackles
Clubbing
Why do children with Cystic Fibrosis get steatorrhea?
Deficiency in pancreatic enzymes –> pale greasy offensive stools
How are the chest symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis managed?
Physio - postural drainage and airway clearance 2x per day
Prophylactic antibiotics
Mucolytics - DNase or hypertonic saline
What physiotherapy devices are used in Cystic Fibrosis?
PEP masks
Flutter devices
Acapella device
How are gastro symptoms managed in Cystic Fibrosis?
Creon - pancreatic enzyme replacement
High calorie diet
Fat soluble vitamines - ADEK
What do you screen for in children with Cystic Fibrosis?
Diabetes - annually
Osteoporosis
What lifestyle changes are suggested for children with Cystic Fibrosis?
No smoking Avoid other patients with CF Avoid people with colds No Jacuzzi (pseudomonas) Annual flu vaccine Clean and dry nebulisers fully NaCl tablets in hot weather Exercise!
What screening methods are used to find if children have Cystic Fibrosis?
IRT - immunoreactive trypsin
Sweat test
CFTR gene
What are nasal polyps in a child indicative of?
Cystic Fibrosis or Primary ciliary dyskinesia
When do chest problems start to affect children with CF?
Generally seen once they get a little bit older
What can cause false positive and false negative sweat tests
False positive
Malnutrition, G6PD, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency
False negative
Skin oedema due to hypoalbuminaemia due to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
Outline five management strategies for Cystic fibrosis
MDT with CF specialist tertiary care
Respiratory
Chest physio BD
Encourage exercuse
Regular sputum cultures
Prophylactic ABX and treat any active infections
Bronchodilators
Nasal polyps: Nasal steroids; Polypectomy
Pancreas: Creon
Monitor and maintain weight
High calorie (130%) and protein diet
Liver transplantation in progressive failure or complications of portal hypertension
Diabetes screening
Reproduction and genetic counselling
Bone protection: Ca2+; Vit D; Bisphosphonates
Name 3 risk factors of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Obesity
Down’s syndrome
Achondroplasia (dwarfism)
Small maxilla and/or mandible
What is the aetiology of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome?
Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
Obesity - 4-5x greater risk
Neck-to-waist ratio - index of body fat
Neuromuscular disease - e.g. craniofacial abnormalities
Describe the presentation of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Snoring - can resolve spontaneously overtime
esp loud snoring 3+ times a week
Mouth breathing
Witnessed apnoeic episodes - pauses in breathing, may be followed by gasp/snort
Poor concentration and school difficulties
Failure to thrive
Behavioural problems
Frequent nightmares
Daytime hyperactivity
Enuresis
In what situations should paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome be considered?
Symptoms of recurrent blocked nose Recurrent nasal or throat infections Recurrent ear infections Any risk factors Any child whose parents are concerned about snoring
Where should children be referred if they have adenotonsillar hypertrophy and symptoms of persistant snoring?
Paediatric ENT specialist
What is the gold-standard investigation for paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome?
Polysomnography sleep studies
Describe the management of paediatric obstructive sleep apneoa syndrome
Medical: CPAP and weight loss
Surgical: adenotonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Orthodontic: mandibular advancement devices
Watchful waiting - may improve overtime by its own
What are the potential complications of untreated paediatric obstructie sleep apnoea?
Adverse effects on growth and development
Cardiovascular risk: HTN, LVH, pulmonary HTN
Daytime hyperactivity
Cognitive deficits
Failure to thrive
Associated with insulin resistance
Increased risk of obesity in school-aged children
Define apnoea
Cessation of respiratory airflow
Differentiate the types of paediatric apnoea
Central apnoea: lack of respiratory effort reduced response to hypercapnia head trauma toxin-mediated apnoea arrhythmias Obstructive apnoea: occluded airway obstructed sleep apnoea inhaled foreign body vocal cord paralysis Mixed apnoea
List 3 differential diagnoses for paediatric apnoea
Aspiration syndrome Sepsis Bronchiolitis Paediatric asthma Opioid toxicity Paediatric status epilepticus Prematurity Physical child abuse
Name 5 causes of paediatric apnoea
Idiopathic: most common
Seizure
Head injury: central apnoea
Drugs: opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates
Upper/lower resp infeciton: second commonest
Laryngomalacia/tracheomalacia
Cardiac: arrythemia, congenital heart disease
Sepsis
GORD
Define infant apnoea
An unexplained episode of cessation of breathing for 20 seconds or longer, or
A shorter respiratory pause associated with bradycardia, cynanosis, pallor, and/or marked hypotonia.
Commoner in preterm infants.
Define infant apnoea
An unexplained episode of cessation of breathing for 20 seconds or longer, or
A shorter respiratory pause associated with bradycardia, cynanosis, pallor, and/or marked hypotonia.
Commoner in preterm infants.
What is the pathophysiology of central apnoea?
Medullary responsiveness is not adequate for proper respiration so muscle contraction is poor or absent
What is the pathophysiology of obstructive apnoea?
An airway obstruction causes poor or no air exchange
A child present with multiple episodes of “stopping breathing”.
What questions do you want to ask?
- HPC - how long are the episodes, how long have they been going on for, any other symptoms at the time of episodes, when do they happen (day/night/during activity). Get accurate picture of an episode, parents mnay have filmed it. Any specific triggers noticed. Any recent or current infections? Any snoring at night?
- PMH - Any pre-existing medical conditions? Congenital or genetic are most common, but also neuro/cardiac/GORD/metabolic. Do they have any touble with eating/swallowing?
- Paedss Hx - were pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal period ok? Were they premature? Is the child well-behaved?
In an episode of apnoea where the child has some unusual movements, what important differential do you want to investigate/rule out?
Seizures
Why is it important to ask about recent or current infections with a child presenting with apnoea
It may be a symptom of sepsis in the child
Define bronchiolitis.
An acute viral infection of the lower airways that affects infants under 2 years of age.
Tell me about who bronchiolitis affects.
Infants under the age of 2.
Peaks between 3 and 6 months of age.
Most common in under 1s.
What is the most common pathogen causing bronchiolitis?
What other organisms can cause bronchiolitis?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Adenovirus/rhinovirus/parainfluenza/influenza
What are the social and environmental risk factors for bronchiolitis?
- Older siblings
- Nursery attendance
- Passive smoking
- Overcrowding
How does bronchiolitis typically present?
1-3 day hx of coryzal symptoms with:
- persistent cough
- respiratory distress/increaded effort
- wheeze +/or crackles
A child comes in with 3 days of coryzal symptoms, a cough, tachypnoeaic, and with a wheeze.
What are your differentials?
- Bronchiolitis
- Viral induced wheeze
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Pulmonary oedema
- Forgein body asp
- Pneumothorax