RESPIRATORY Flashcards
What is the most common presenting symptom of asthma in childhood?
How common is this in the background population?
- WHEEZE is the predominate symptom
- 1/2 of children in first 3 years of life will have wheeze at some point but this does not mean they have asthma
What are the two types of wheeze and what sort of conditions does each one suggest?
TRANSIENT EARLY WHEEZE:
- wheezing early in the expiration - usually due to infection and normally viral (BRONCHIOLITIS)
- narrower airways more susceptible to obstruction with even small degrees of inflammation (disappears by age 5- bigger airways)
- often accompanies by coryza symptoms
PERSISTENT WHEEZE:
- asthma
- due to environmental trigger
- wheeze peaks later on (4, 5, 6yo)
Describe a wheeze classical of asthma
- persistent and recurrent
- relieved by bronchodilators
- Symptoms often worse in morning
- Wheeze following specific trigger
Pathophysiology of asthma? (4)
- When child is exposed to allergen there is an IgE mediated immune response causing inflammation of the small airways (ATOPIC).
- Bronchial oedema
- Excessive mucus production
- Infiltration of cells (basophils and eosinophils)
Give some examples of asthma triggers
- Cold weather
- exercise
- pet dander
- dust mites
- pollen
- smoking in the home (ALWAYS ASK ABOUT SMOKING IN THE HOME IN Hx)
What factors should you include in the assessment/history for asthma?(4)
- reversibility with bronchodilators (strongly suggestive of asthma)
- always plot growth (retardation in severe asthma)
- Ask about / examine for eczema
- Ask about time off school / exercise tolerance
BASELINE PEFR is always good idea
What might you find on clinical examination for asthma?
Between exacerbations not a lot…
If long standing and poorly managed:
- Hyperinflation of chest
- Harrison sulcus
- Generalise polyphonic wheeze
Management of chronic asthma in community
- Short-acting beta agonist (SABA)
○ Salbutamol inhaler (blue)
***if they are using inhaler more than 3 times a week/new inhaler once a month then add additional therapy then go to step 2
- SABA + paediatric low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
○ Budesonide
○ Can increase dose depending on effectiveness
○ Usually taken as two puffs twice a day (can do four puffs twice a day if needed)
***if still not responsive then…
- SABA + paediatric low-dose ICS +LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST (LTRA)
***if still not covered
- Discontinue LTRA and ADD LABA e.g. salmeterol SABA + paediatric low-dose ICS + long-acting beta agonist (LABA)
- SABA + maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) that includes a paediatric low-dose ICS
- SABA + paediatric moderate-dose ICS MART
- SABA + one of the following options:
- increase ICS to paediatric high-dose, either as part of a fixed-dose regime or as a MART
- a trial of an additional drug (for example theophylline-but it has a high incidence of side effects vomiting, insomnia, headaches, poor concentration)
- seek advice from a healthcare professional with expertise in asthma
Management of acute asthma in children
- SALBUTAMOL NEBULISER 2.5-5mg
- STEROIDS: oral prednisolone or IV hydrocortisone if severe
- IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE (250-500mg) NEB Repeat bronchodilators every 20-30mins if symptoms persist
- MAGNESIUM SULPHATE if symptoms are severe and sats are <92% 5.
AMINOPHYLLINE 500-700mcg/kg/hr can be considered if severe or life-threatening
What is croup?
- viral infection that causes inflammation and increased secretions in the:
○ Larynx
○ Trachea
○ Bronchi
-Also there is oedema of the subglottic area- dangerous in young children-airway obstruction
What organisms most commonly cause croup?
- Parainfluenza viruses most common (parainfluenza type 1 is most common cause of croup)
- Human metapneumovirus
- RSV
- Adenoviruses
- Influenza A and B
Who does croup occur in most commonly? Whats the age peak? Is there a seasonal peak?
- Children aged 6m-3y
- Peak at 2 years
- Seasonal peak in autumn
What are the clinical features of croup?
- Barking, ‘seal-like’ cough
- Harsh stridor due to airway obstruction
- Hoarse voice
- Background of preceding coryzal symptoms
***symptoms often worse at night (opposite to asthma)
Describe an assessment for a child with croup
The most important factor is making sure you’re assessing for any signs of
AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION (listening for stridor, checking oxygenation)
Check for breathing effort (recession, RR, head bobbing, accessory muscle use)
NEVER EXAMINE THE THROAT OF CHILD WITH CROUP - risk of creating an obstruction
What would be concerning features for a child with croup?
- STRIDOR - if this begins to occur at REST then the child absolutely has to be admitted.
- Cyanosis
- Lethargy
- Low threshold for admission for young children, children who aren’t feeding or children at risk of airway obstruction
What is the Westley criteria?
Croup scoring Possible scores 0-17 • 0-3 mild croup • 4-6 moderate croup •>6 severe croup
How do you treat croup?
How do you treat croup with severe obstruction?
- DEXAMETHASONE 150mcg/kg can be given via mouth or IV depending on severity (prednisolone alternative if dex not available)
- If airway obstruction is SEVERE:
- Nebulised adrenaline with oxygen face mask
- hopefully by the time the adrenaline has worn off the dexamethasone will have started having an affect
What is epiglottitis? How serious is it?
Inflammation of epiglottis, VERY SERIOUS. Even higher risk of airway obstruction than croup
What organisms cause epiglottitis?
The main cause of haemophius type B
- due to vaccination regime the incidence of this has decreases massively
When do children get the Haemophilus B vaccination?
in the 6-in-1 vaccination at 2, 3 and 4 months
-booster dose offered when a child is 1 year old as part of the combined Hib/MenC booster
What is the clinical presentation of epiglottitis and what is characteristic about it?
- Fever+++
- toxic looking child
- Intensely painful sore throat
- Cant speak
- Cant swallow>DRIBBLING and this is characteristic
- Soft inspiratory stridor
- child often sat upright to maximise airway/breathing
- DO NOT LIE CHILD DOWN TO ASSESS
Management of epiglottitis
- Immediately admit and contact paediatrics
- take blood cultures and start IV CEFUROXIME
- Will likely have to be intubated by experienced anaesthetist (HDU/PICU)
- ET tube can usually be removed after 24 hours when antibiotics have started to work. Abx continued for 3-5 days
If a child has Hib what do you need to do?
ALL CONTACTS NEED RIFAMPICIN PROPHYLAXIS
What are some causes of stridor?
- Croup
- Epiglottitis
- Foreign body
- Laryngomalacia (congenital softening of cartilage - resolves by 2y)
