Session 6: Child Health Flashcards
define sepsis
an infection which results in a dysregulated host response causing life threatening, wide spread organ dysfunction
what components of the blood gas could indicate the severity of sepsis?
raised lactate
what is the difference between hypovolaemic and septic shock?
hypovolaemic and septic shock present the same but are caused by different mechanisms. sepsis is causes by infection and hypovolaemia is caused by lack of fluids. thus, there treatments are completely different
what are some physiological changes that result due to sepsis?
Sepsis results when an infectious insult triggers a localized inflammatory reaction that then spills over to cause systemic symptoms of fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and either leukocytosis or leukopenia. These clinical symptoms are called the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Severe sepsis is defined by dysfunction of one of the major organ systems or unexplained metabolic acidosis. The inflammatory reaction is mediated by the release of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins, and prostaglandins, from neutrophils and macrophages. The cytokines activate the extrinsic coagulation cascade and inhibit fibrinolysis. These overlapping processes result in microvascular thrombosis; thrombosis is one potential factor producing organ dysfunction.
what are some of the key difficulties associated with recognizing and treating sepsis in children?
can not communicate
deterioration quickly
different symptoms to adult
what’s the difference between SIRS and sepsis?
sepsis - always caused by infection
SIRS - could be anything
How do children present with sepsis and what are some of the common causative agents?
rash (meningococcal non blanching rash) temp high or normal HR high breathing rate high wcc high Appearance Breathing Circulation Demeanour Exposure Rubella (German measles) Varicella (chicken pox) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
by what mechanism do childhood vaccinations work?
Vaccines contain a harmless form of the bacteria or virus that causes the disease you are being immunised against. The bacteria or virus will be killed, greatly weakened, or broken down into small parts before use in the vaccine so that they can trigger an immune response without making you sick. Your immune system will still attack the harmless form of bacteria or virus from the vaccine and will produce antibodies to fight it off. The immune system then keeps a memory of the disease, so if a vaccinated person encounters the disease years later, their immune system is ready to fight it off and prevent an infection from developing.
what are some of the barriers for children to receive vaccinations?
andrew wakefield case - relating to autism
media/celebrities
state some benefits of vaccination in childhood
savings on medical expenditure increasing parent's productive time household benefits as no co morbidities of child immunological value anti microbial resistance breakouts in other places
