Respiratory Disease in Childhood Flashcards by Aliya Hussain

What is the most common respiratory problem in premature babies?

Respiratory Distress Syndrome - relative surfactant deficiency results in high surface tension and can cause lung collapse

Inverse relationship with gestation

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What is surfactant?

A phospholipid secreted by child at 30-32/40 weeks
Lack of surfactant results in atelactasis (partial collapse/incomplete inflation of lungs) and impairment of gas exchange

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Clinical presentation of respiratory distress syndrome?

High RR (in children, normal is 60 breaths/min)
Sternal recession
Grunting
No breath sounds on side of chest affected

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Prophylactic treatment of respiratory distress syndrome?

Mother in premature labour is given steroid injection, to stimulate surfactant production by child

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Complications of respiratory distress syndrome?

Ventilation - can cause problems so must ensure it is gentle and not for too long
Sudden deterioration - can cause increase O2 requirement

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Iatrogenic cause of problems in respiratory distress syndrome?

Pneumothorax (air in pleural space) - risk factors include RDS and increased incidence with IPPV (Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation), CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and ventilation

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Non-iatrogenic causes of pneumothorax in babies?

Spontaneous - occurs in ~1% vaginal deliveries and 1.5% of caesarian sections

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What is chronic neonatal lung disease classified as?

AKA bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

O2 requirement beyond 36 weeks corrected gestation + evidence of pulmonary parenchymal disease on CXR

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When does chronic neonatal lung disease occur in neonates?

Generally, follows RDS

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Clinical presentation of chronic neonatal lung disease?

Barotrauma - lung damage due to pressure changes
Volume trauma
High inspired oxygen

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Healing of chronic neonatal lung disease?

Associated with continued lung growth over 2-3 years - often wheezy

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Diaphragmatic hernia in neonate?

Diaphragm not formed properly do gut goes through and so lungs do not develop properly (associated pulmonary hypoplasia)

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Commonest diaphragmatic hernia in neonate?

Posterolateral (Bochdalek) that is left-sided

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Treatment of a diaphragmatic hernia?

Avoid bag-mask IPPV (do not want to blow up the gut more)
Respiratory support
Surgical

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Key points in examination of older children?

Weight and height plotted - growth may be stunted due to energy usage in illness
Finger clubbing
Chest shape - pestus excavatum (sternal recession), Harrison’s sulcus (horizontal groove along the lower border of the thorax corresponding to the costal insertion of the diaphragm)
Auscultation

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Diagnosis of respiratory problems in children?

Spirometry - difficult with young kids, could potentially do it in 7+ years of age

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What is cystic fibrosis?

Autosomal recessive genetic disorder due to mutations in CFTR gene on chromosome 7 (most common mutation is Δ508)

Incidence of cystic fibrosis?

Now becoming an adult problem due to increased life expectancy

All kids in Scotland get heel prick test measuring IRT (immunoreactive trypsin) which is raised in those with CF; if +ve result, repeat; if +ve again, then do CF genetics

Clinical presentation of CF?

Respiratory infections are recurrent and prominent
Absorption problems - pancreas makes sticky secretions so:
Growth stunted
Salty on skin

Differential diagnosis with CF?

CF
Immune deficiency
Ciliary dyskinesia?
Asthma
Kartagener's/immotile cilia syndrome - rare

Care of CF patient?

Physiotherapist - exercises to remove sticky secretions
Clinical psychologist - CF impacts on mental health (patients not allowed to meet one another due to risk of attaining infection from one another = isolation)
Dietician - too thin/overweight can impair lung function further

Clinical features that increase asthma probability?

One or more:
Wheeze - tends to be atopic wheeze that is recurrent; not every kid with wheeze has asthma
Cough
Chest tightness
Difficulty breathing
Atopy (personal/family history), e.g: asthma
WIDESPREAD WHEEZE ON AUSCULTATION
Response to treatment (Rx - prescription)

What to do with low, intermediate and high probabilities of asthma?

Low - consider Ix (investigation) and referral
Intermediate - watchful waiting, spirometry (response), Rx and evaluate
High - diagnosis of asthma likely so trial of Rx; further Ix if poor response

Spirometry curve in asthma?

Scallop-shaped:
Flow decreases with increasing volume
ADD PICTURE

Management of childhood asthma?

Stage 1: Treat with inhaled beta-agonists when needed Stage 2: Treat with regular inhaled steroids Stage 3A: Regular inhaled steroids + Long Acting Beta Agonists Stage 3B: Stage 3A + Leukotriene Antagonists

Passive smoking effect on children?

``` Reduces birth weight Perinatal mortality increase Teratogenic - airways, cleft lip/palate Glue ear Carcinogenic Increased likelihood of asthma attack if living with parents that smoke ```

Treatment of acute problems in children?

``` Oxygen Nebulised bronchodilator Oral prednisolone i.v salbutamol i.v aminophylline i.v magnesium Ventilatory support ```

Pathological changes during an asthma attack

Muscle walls of airways (bronchi and bronchioles) bronchoconstrict Increased mucous secretion Inflammation of alveolar linings causes further narrowing of airway diameter

Bronchiolitis in children?

Bronhciolitis is a lower RTI that occurs in children usually under 18 months old Usually caused by a virus - commonly Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV)

When is bronchiolitis more severe?

In younger babies, ex-premature babies, family of smokers

Clinical presentation of bronchiolitis?

Tachypnoea Poor feeding Irritating cough Apnoea (suspension of external breathing) in small babies Increased incidence of wheezing episodes in next 10 years

Treatment of bronchiolitis?

Supportive

Pneumonia bacterial causes in neonates?

GBS (Group B Strep.), E.coli, Klebsiella, Staph. aureus

Pneumonia bacterial causes in infants?

Strep. pneumoniae, Chlamydia

Pneumonia bacterial causes in school age children?

Strep. pneumoniae, Staph.aureus, GRA (Group A Strep.), Bordetella, Mycoplasma, Legionella

What is croup?

AKA laryngotracheobronchitis Childhood condition that affects trachea, bronchi and larynx Usually triggered by an acute viral infection of the upper airway

Clinical presentation of croup?

Stridor | Barking cough

Treatment of croup?

Oral steroid to reduce inflammation

Describe pulmonary TB

Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Spread by droplet infection

Prevention of TB?

BCG

Drug treatment of TB?

2 months - Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide 4 months - Isoniazid, Rifampicin 6 months total treatment

Common respiratory problems in children?

``` Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome CLD Congenital diaphragmatic hernia Cystic fibrosis Asthma Bronchiolitis Childhood pneumonias Croup Tuberculosis ```