Respiratory Flashcards
What age group do children with bronchiolitis present?
They are typically less than 6 months but can be under a year
What is the presentation of bronchiolitis?
- Typically a preceding viral illness with coryzal symptoms (usually respiratory syncytial virus)
- Respiratory distress
- Dyspnoea
- Tachypnoea
- Poor feeding
- Mild fever
- Apnoeas
- Wheeze and crackles on auscultation
What are the signs of respiratory distress?
Intercostal and subcostal recession Head bobbing nasal flaring Tracheal tub Accessory muscle use Abnormal airway noises (wheezing, grunting, stridor)
How long does bronchiolitis last?
Usually worst 3-4 days after coryzal symptoms
Last 7 to 10 days
Fully recover in 2-3 weeks
Children with bronchiolitis are more predisposed to viral induced wheeze in childhood
What are the criteria for admission with bronchiolitis?
50% or less of their normal milk intake Aged under 3 months with preexisiting health condition Clinical dehydration Resp rate above 70 Oxygen sats under 90% Moderate to severe resp distress Apnoeas Parents not confident in ability to manage at home
What is the management of bronchiolitis?
Supportive
Ensure adequate feeding by oral or NG, do not overfeed as this will restrict breathing
Saline nasal drops and suctioning helps clear nose before feeding
Supplementary oxygen
Ventilatory support if required
What are high risk babies for respiratory syncytial virus given?
Palivizumab - monoclonal antibody that targets RSV
Given to at risk babies monthly
Provides passive immunity
What is viral induced wheeze?
In children under 3 with small airways they can become wheezy following viral illness
This is because of poiseuille’s law and the airway oedema causes wheeze
What features suggest viral wheeze instead of asthma?
Presenting before 3 years of age
No history of atopy
Only occurs during viral infections
What are the presenting features of viral wheeze?
Resp distress
SOB
Global wheeze - be cautious of focal wheeze as may be a foreign body
What is the management of viral wheeze?
The same as for acute asthma in children: Oxygen Salbutamol Hydrocortisone Ipratropium Theophylline
What is the presentation of acute asthma?
Worsening shortness of breath
Expiratory wheeze throughout chest
Fast resp rate
A silent chest in an ominous sign
How do you grade the different severities of asthma?
Mild: -Peak flow greater than 50% predicted -taking in normal sentences Severe: -Peak flow <50% predicted -Sats <92% -Unable to talk in full sentences -signs of resp distress -Resp rate >30, HR greated than 125 Life threatening -Peak flow <33% predicted -Talking in single words -Silent chest -Exhaustion, poor resp effort -Hypotension -Cyanosis -Confusion
How are asthma patients managed when their acute attack starts to subside?
Review the child and gradually step back down the ladder
typically step down the frequency and dose of the interventions e.g. 10 puffs 2 hourly, 10 puffs 4 hourly
What are some of the side effects of the salbutamol?
Causes tachycardia, tremor and hypokalaemia
When can children be discharged following an acute asthma attack?
Generally when they can have 6 puffs of their inhaler 4 hourly
What are the family features to ask about if suspecting asthma?
Asthma, eczema and allergies
What are the typical features suggestive of chronic asthma?
Episodic symptoms
Diurnal variation - typically worse at night and early in morning
Dry cough with wheeze and SOB
Typical triggers
Personal or family history of atopy
Widespread polyphonic wheeze heard by healthcare professional
Symptoms improve with bronchodilators
What are some typical triggers of asthma?
Cold air dust animals exercise smoke food allergens
How is asthma diagnosed?
It is a clinical diagnosis If still unsure then can use; -Peak flow diary -spirometry with reversibility testing -fractional expired NO
What is the management of chronic asthma in under 5s?
SABA
Corticosteroid
Leukotriene receptor antagonist e.g. montelukast
What is the management of chronic asthma in over 5s?
SABA Corticosteroid inhaler LABA e.g. salmeterol Increase steroid dose to medium Add montelukast Oral theophylline increase to high corticosteroid
How can regular inhaled steroids affect childrens deveolment?
They can slow growth however this affect is dose dependent
What is the typical presentation of pneumonia?
Cough (typically wet and productive) High fever (>38.5) tachycardia tachypnoea increased WOB lethargy delerium
What are the examination findings in pneumonia?
Bronchial breath sounds (inspiration same length as expiration)
Crackles - due to air moving through sputum
Dullness to percussion due lung tissue collapse or consolidation
What are the causes of pneumonia in kids?
Step pneumonia is most common Group A (Strep pyogenes) Group B occurs in pre-vacinated infants Staph aureus Haemophilus influenzae Viral causes include - RSV, Parainfluenza virus, influenza virus