CPS Statements Flashcards
Special considerations for the health supervision of children and youth in foster care
- Screen for chronic medical conditions, mental health conditions, behavioural problems + school problems
- +/- Vision, hearing, dental, psychoed
- Consider (not routine): CBC, ferritin, lead, hep B+C, HIV, bHCG, STIs
- Need to see more frequently
- Advocate for permanency planning
A bite in the playroom: Managing human bites in child care settings
- How do you clean the wound?
- Hep B considerations
- When do you give ABx ppx?
- Children cannot be excluded from day care b/c of HBV, HCV, or HIV infection
- Clean wound
- If skin not broken: soap + water, cold compress, soothe
- If skin broken: don’t squeeze if bleeding, soap + water, mild antiseptic
- Hep B: very low risk of transmission > HCV > HIV
- If unknown HBV status of biter + bitten -> vaccinate both
- If unknown HBV status of one, non-immune status of other -> vaccinate non-immune child (or both)
- If one is HBV carrier, other is non/incompletely immune
- HBIG + vaccinate the non-immune
- F/U to complete vaccine series and in 6mo for HBV serology
- Review + update tetanus
- ABx ppx if
- Moderate to severe tissue damage
- Deep puncture wounds
- Bites to face, hand, foot, or genital area that are more than simple superficial abrasions
A case-based update of PALS: The 2010 paediatric basic and advanced life-support guidelines
A. Asystolic cardiac arrest
B. VFib
C. Wide complex tachycardia
D. Septic shock
A. Asystolic cardiac arrest
- C-A-B
- 30:2 single rescuer
- 15:2 two-rescuer CPR if infant/child
- If advanced airway: 100bpm to 10 breaths/min
- Effective CPR: push hard, push fast, allow recoil, minimize interruptions, avoid excessive ventilation
- If art line in place, can use to monitor CPR effectiveness
- Capnography can be used to confirm ETT placement and monitor CPR quality + ROSC
B. VFib
- If unresponsive and apneic/gasping, start CPR (no look, listen, feel)
- LImit pulse check to 10s
- Infants manual defibrillaotr > AED with pediatric dose attenuator (up to 8yo or 25kg) > standard adult AED without dose attenuator
- Use amiodarone or lidocaine for shock-refractory VF or pulseless VT
- Consider standard dose epi as vasopressor during cardiac arrest
- Consider ECPR (CPR + ECOM) if known cardiac Dx with in-hospital arrest
- Post-ROSC
- Target SpO2 94-99%
- Maintain SBP >5%tile for age
- If comatose post-ROSC, consider therapeutic hypothermia (T32-34 x2d + T36.5-37.5x3d) OR continuous normothermia x5d
- EEG in first 7d post cardiac arrest (pronosticate neuro outcome)
- No sz ppx, but treat clinical sz
C. Wide complex tachycardia
- QRS > 0.09s (each small box = 0.04s)
- Can be ventricular or supraventricular in origin
- Give adenosine in stable pts with regular, monomorphic QRS to distinguish VT vs SVC
- DO NOT give if known WPW
- Resusc doses based on actual body wt (not ideal body wt)
D. Septic shock
- Rapid bolus 20mL/kg crystalloid as initial choice
- Don’t use etomidate routinely b/c adrenal suppression
- Consider cuffed tubes to decrease risk of aspiration + reintubation
- Cuffed tube
- If <1yo: use 3.0mm internal diameter tube
- If 1-2yo: use 3.5mmID
- If >2yo: ID = 3.5 + (age/4)
- Uncuffed = cuffed + 0.5mm
- No point of cricoid pressure
A harmonized immunization schedule for Canada: A call to action
- Safer + less costly
- Better prices for bulk purchases
- More cost-effective translation into different languages
- Simiplied educational info for HCP + parents
- Introduce vaccines in coordinated fashion
- Harmonized core schedule would not preclude prov/terr from enhancing its program for a vaccine not yet universally recommended by National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
Acute management of croup in the emergency department
- What 5 signs reflect croup severity?
- What are 3 red flags for more serious conditions?
- What are 3 therapies I can give?
- What has no evidence? (3)
- When can I D/C?
- When do I admit?
- When do I consult ENT?
- Croup severity: 1) CNS hypoxia, 2) barky cough, 3) stridor, 4) indrawing, 5) cyanosis
- Red flags: 1) toxic, 2) drooling, 3) dysphagia
- Therapies
- Dex 0.6mg/kg/dose PO/IM for all. Improve within 2-3H, persists for 24-48H. Fewer admissions + return visits
- Neb epi: for mod-severe croup. Can reduce intubation. Need to monitor for 2-3H post
- Heliox: for severe croup. Avoid intubation. Not routine
- No role for 1) humidified air, 2) ABx, 3) ventolin
- Discharge home
- Immediately w/o observation if mild Sx
- If mod-severe, then observe 2-4H until mild Sx
- Admission
- Ward if steroids >=4H ago + still has mod resp distress, stridor at rest, indrawing. No agitation or lethargy.
- ICU if recurrent severe episodes of agitation/lethargy, severe resp distress not responsive to Tx
- ENT consult
- Now to assess a/w persistently severe despite Tx
- Outpt if multiple croup episodes or outside age range (3mo-6yo)
Acute Otitis Externa
- What are 10 RFs for AOE?
- What is malignant otitis externa? How does it present?In what population? What do I do?
- How do I counsel about preventing AOE?
- 10 RFs
- >2yo
- Swimming
- Chronic otorrhea
- Trauma
- FB in ear
- Hearing aid
- Tight head scarves
- Certain dermatological conditions
- Immunocompromised
- Ear piercing
- Malignant otitis externa
- Invasive infection into cartilage + bone of canal + external ear
- Facial nerve palsy + pain
- Immunodeficient + insulin-dependent diabetes
- CT/MRI to confirm Dx, aggresive debridement, systemic ABx for p aeru + staph
- Prevention
- Avoid moisture (soft ear plugs)
- Avoid trauma (no cotton swabs)
Addressing vaccine hesitancy in immunization programs, clinics and practices
- What are the 5 recommendations for HCPs?
- Detect and address vaccine hesitant subgroups
- Different reasons for different groups
- Educate all HCPs with consistent and accurate information about vaccine safety and benefits
- Best practices; the specific and serious risks of vaccine-preventable diseases; possible vaccine SEs; Canada’s adverse event surveillance systems; the importance of clear language, ‘framing’ (i.e.,presumptive versus participatory approaches) and motivational interviewing techniques; and pain mitigation strategies
- Use evidence-based strategies to increase vaccine uptake
- make vaccine services more convenient + accessible
- remind parents by text/email/mail
- minimize immunization pain
- Consider mandates +/ incentives for immunizations
- Educate children, youth + adults on importance of immunization for health
- Work collaboratively across provincial/territorial jurisdictions and with the federal government, NGOs, community leaders and health services
- Only Christian Science specifically does not support immunization and even this is not rigid
ADHD in children and youth
Part 1—Etiology, diagnosis, and comorbidity
- How common is ADHD?
- What is the etiology of ADHD? (3)
- What are the 6 predictors for persistence into adol/adult?
- Common MH disorders: 1) depression, 2) anxiety, 3) ADHD
- Etiology: 1) genetics (most important), 2) neuro, 3) envo
- Predictors for persistence:
- combined inattention/hyperactivity
- increased Sx severity,
- comorbid MDD or other mood disorder
- high comorbidity (>3 additional DSM d/o)
- parental anxiety
- parental antisocial personality d/o
ADHD in children and youth
Part 1—Etiology, diagnosis, and comorbidity
- How do we diagnose ADHD?
- What conditions are commonly misdiagnosed as ADHD? (8)
- What conditions are comorbidities? (8)
- ADHD Dx
- DSM5 - multiple settings + lead to impairment in everyday activities
- Only Conner’s Comprehensive Behaviour Rating scale + ADHD Rating Scales IV have been validated in pre-schoolers
- No routine labs, genetic tests, EEG, or neuroimaging
- Don’t order psychological, neuropsychological, or SLP assessments
- Don’t use psychological tests (TEACH, CPT) or measures of executive fxn to Dx ADHD +/ monitor Sx + functional improvement
- DDx (decreasing frequency). Also the comorbidities
- Learning d/o - most common comorbid condition
- Sleep d/o
- ODD
- Anxiety d/o
- ID
- Language d/o, mood d/o, tic d/o, conduct d/o
- ASD
- DCD
ADHD in children and youth
Part 2—Treatment
- What non-pharmacological interventions have evidence?
- When do I start medications?
- Stimulants
- What are the benefits for stimulants? (3)
- What are the classes?
- What formulation should I start?
- When do I see a response?
- What do I need to do before starting?
- What are the SE? (9)
- What are causes for poor adherence? (3)
- Non-stimulants
- When are these indicated? (3)
- Which ones are there? (3)
- What is their benefit?
- What do I need to do before starting?
- What are the SE? (9) Specific for each drug?
- What medications should I start if substance use disorder?
- Non-pharm
- Start psychoeducation plan first, then add non-pharm + pharm as needed
- Parents: Parent based training - 1st choice for preschoolers
- School: Classroom management, daily report card
- Child: Organizational skills training, Behavioural peer interventions, Physical exercise
- Pharm Indications:
- Behaviours + social interactions impaired by impulsivity/hyperactivity
- Learning or academic performance impaired by inattention
- Recommendations
- Before starting, set goals + target outcomes focused on Sx reduction + improved functioning to guide Tx plan
- Use standardized checklists to monitor Tx response. Need >=2 settings + direct input from school.
- 1st line: Stimulants
- Benefits
- Improved QoL + academic achievement
- Fewer morbidity + mortality related to motor vehicle injuries
- Lower anxiety + depression
- Methylphenidate vs dextroamphetamine classes
- Both have short, medium, + extended release formulation
- Start in either. Try a different drug in same class before swtiching to the other
- First line: extended release
- Better adherence b/c once-daily
- Less likely diverted for recreational use
- Last 6-13H
- Immediate release if cannot tol ER (e.g. preschooler) or short-term attention + behavioural goals
- Should see response in 2-4wks. Titrate Q1-2wks to lowest effective dose, then Q1mo to monitor.
- May need to increase dose initially b/c “upregulation” of liver enzymes that catabolize stimulants -> tachyphylaxis
- Determine baseline SE Sx before starting
- No need for routine preTx ECG. Do thorough H+P to screen risk
- SE
- Increase HR + BP
- Appetite suppression - most common
- Sleep
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Tics (not increased vs untreated, not a contraindication)
- Vasculopathic Sx (Raynaud’s)
- Psychosis (rare)
- PRiapism (rare0
- Reasons for poor adherence: 1) SE, 2) older age, 3) learning, mood or behavioural comorbidity
- Benefits
- 2nd line: Non-stimulants
- Used wehn stimulants are 1) contraindicated, 2) ineffective, 3) not tolerated
- Atomoxetine (Straterra) + guanfacine chlorohydrate XR (Intunivr) approved for 6-17yo with ADHD. Adjunct or monotherapy.
- Intuniv if ADHD + comorbid ODD
- Clonidine not currently approved by Health Canada for ADHD
- Benefit: Lower potential for abuse vs stimulants
- Monitor BP at start and regularly
- Do not need baseline liver function tests unless Sx
- SE
- GI Sx (abdo pain, decreased appetite)
- Somnolence
- H/A
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- SI (rare)
- Hepatic disorder (rare)
- Raynaud phenomenon
- Dose-dependent prolongation of QTc
- Straterra (norepi reuptake inhibitor): increase BP + HR
- Intuniv: sedation, somnolence, fatigue. Orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, syncopal episodes
- Clonidine: sedation, dizziness, hypotension. (all more than Intuniv)
- Counsel about risk of rebound HTN (even HTN encephalopathy) if stop guanfacine or clonidine abruptly
- SUD
- Non-stimulant or ER stimulant for lower risk of abuse + diversion
ADHD in children and youth
Part 3—Assessment and treatment with comorbid ASD, ID, or prematurity
- ADHD + ASD
- 50% with ADHD have ASD and vice versa
- More severe behavioural problems that either d/o alone
- Comorbid psych disorders more prevalent
- Genetic syndromes: fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, 22q11 deletion, Williams syndrome
- 1st line for meds: psychostimlants
- More likely to be non-responders + have SE
- Most common SE: irritability with emotional outbursts
- Guanacine significantly reduced Sx
- No role of antipsychotics for ADHD
- ADHD + ID
- ADHD is most common comorbidity with ID
- Psychological tests cannot Dx ADHD, but can evaluate ID
- More severe ADHD Sx, harder to Tx
- Higher rates of agitation/aggressive behaviours + conduct problems
- 50% of ID assoc’d with chormosomal, metabolic, or neuro conditions
- 1st line: psychostimulants
- 2nd line: nonstimulants
- If functionally disabling behaviours are not responsive to behavioural + ADHD med Tx: consider neuroleptics (Risperidone) cautiously
- ADHD + Prematurity
- 50% of extrem prem or ELBW have developmentl d/o
- Cognitive impairment is most common disability
- “Preterm behavioural phenotype”: inattention, internalizing d/o (anxiety, depression, withdrawal, somatic complaints), socail difficulties
- Follow same protocols as for term b/c not studied for prems specifically
- Recommendations
- ASD, ID + prem have increased risk of ADHD + greater impairment
- F/U programs to monitor developmental, cognitive + emotinal outcomes at least until school entry, preferably until children are integrated + adapted into school with stable academic performance
- Dx requires multidisciplinary approach
- Psychostimulant is first line med as part of comprehensive Tx program
- SE of ADHD meds more common in ASD + ID
- Positive role for regular physical activity mitigating ADHD Sx
Extended release meds for children with ADHD
- Recommend XR as first line - preferred by both families + physicians
- H/e ADHD disproportionately diagnosed in children from low SES, so XR meds may not be affordable
- XR are not necessarily more efficacious (how well a Tx works under tightly controlled study conditions) than IR but is more effective (how well a Tx works in the real world)
- Benefits of XR:
- better adherence
- less likely to switch if started
- lower risk of ER visit for injury
- fewer and shorter hospitalization for injury
- don’t have to take at school (less stigma, less issues with school storing + administering controlled drugs)
- Less misuse/diversion potential than immediate release
Adolescent Pregnancy
- What is the trend of teen pregnancies?
- What is the rate of abortion?
- What is a major cause of pregnancy complicaitons in teens?
- What do I need to screen for?
- What to counsel about options?
- How to prevent teen pregnancies (3)
- Which high risk teens are at high risk of pregnancy + need contraception counselling? (7)
- Rates of teen decreasing in last decade
- Highest in 18-19yo
- 50% end in induced abortion
- Poor prenatal care is major cause of pregnancy complications (early detection is challenging)
- Important to screen for: 1) current supports, 2) explore options, 3) physical + emotional health, 4) substance use, 5) housing, 6) school
- Maternal mortality from pregnancy + its complications is much higher in this age group thn mortality from surgical abortion
- If want to continue the pregnancy, refer to maternity homes + support groups
- Continue school to improve maternal+child outcome + reduce depression
- To prevent teen pregnancies: 1) ensure good F/U, 2) mulitple options for contraceptives, 3) life-skills training
- Counsel high risk teens about contraception
- Previous pregnancies
- Siblings who got pregnant as teens
- Early puberty
- Social difficulties
- School abseenteeism
- Substance use
- Living in group home/detention centre
Adolescent sexual orientation
- What are gay + lesbian teens at higher risk of? (6)
- What are the infectious risks of unprotected anal intercourse? (5)
- What work up for gay men? (5)
- Higher risk
- Assault b/c of orientation
- Smoking
- Substance use
- Attempting suicide
- STIs
- More likely to have sex, more sexual partners
- Do not disclose information about orientation to parents without teen’s consent, even in cases of suicidal ideation
- Unprotected anal intercourse
- 1) HIV, 2) HPV, 3) Hep A 3) B 4) C, 5) parasites
- Work up for gay men
- 1) chlamydia, 2) gonorrhea, 3) anal cytology, 4) HIV, 5) stool studies
- Counsel about HPV vaccine for all
Advance care planning for pediatric patients
- Discussions should occur early + regularly throughout the course of Tx, ideally before crises arise
- Review + revise decisions on a regular basis
- Clarify wishes regarding emergency + life-sustaining therapies including CPR. Document
- Palliative care options should be integrated into discussions of Tx goals where appropriate
Air travel and children’s health issues
- What airborne illnesses can be transmitted? (5)
- What is the best method of protection?
- What should MD provide?
- What 7 types of pts should be evaluated for potential hypoxemia before air travel?
- What 3 pediatric cardiovascular diseases are contraindicated to commercial airline flight?
- VTE
- Sickle cell
- AOM
- Food allergies
- T1DM
- Sz
- Air sickness
- Behavioural effects
- Jet lag
- Medical mechanical devices
- Orthopedic cases
- Physician assistance
- Transmissible airborne illnesses
- TB
- Measles
- Influenza
- Severe ARDS
- Meningococcal disease
- Low risk of transmission, similar to bus/train
- Best way to prevent is handwashing
- MDs should write medical letter explaining medical status +/- need for medical equipment, supplies + meds
- Evaluate for potential hypoxemia
- Suspected hypoxemia
- On supplemental O2
- Known or suspected hypercapnia
- Known chronic obstructive disease or restrictive disease (CF)
- Recent exaceration of CLD
- Previous difficulty during air travel
- Other chronic conditions that may be exacerbated by hypoxemia
- ABG, PFTs, Hypoxia altitude stimulation test (breat mixutre of 85% N2 + 15% O2, if PaO2 <55 then may need O2)
- Contraindicated CVD
- Uncontrolled HTN
- Uncontrolled SVT
- Eisenmenger’s syndrome
- VTE
- No evidence of risk in helathy children on prolonged fligh
- Consider thrombosis consult + LMWH/ASA for 1) prev VTE, 2) thrombophilia, 3) malignancy, 4) major surgery w/in 6wks
- Sickle cell
- Increased risk for crisis during flight. May need O2
- AOM
- If adequately treated for AOM, can fly 2wks from Dx. Can give topical nasal decongestant before takeoff + landing.
- If must fly within 48H of Dx, give appropriate analgesia
- Food allergies
- Encourage parents to tell crew + airline, carry Epipen + antihistamines on flight
- T1DM
- day shorted by >2H, may need to decrease intermed or long-acting insulin
- day lengthed by 2H, may neeed to increase insulin
- Sz
- Can fly if Sz controlled by meds
- Air sickness
- Antiemetics PRN
- Behavioural effects
- Parents explain steps in advance, mindfulness, don’t give sedation for behavioural control
- Jet lag
- No benefit of melatonin
- Medical mechnical devices
- Cap all feeding + infusion tubes. Watch for gas expansion introducing air into body
- Orthopedic casts
- Bivalve plaster or fiberglass casts. Analgesia + elevate limb
- Physician volunteers protected from liability by “Good Samaritan”
Ankle sprains in the paediatric athlete
- What is the mechanism?
- Which is the most common ligament involved?
- What are 3 findings on PEx?
- What 2 DDx to r/o?
- When do I get an Xray?
- What to do for Mgmt?
- What to do for rehab?
- When to return to play?
- Mechanism is inversion of plantar flexed foot
- ATFL is most commonly injured ankle ligament > CFL + PTFL
- PEx: 1) anterolateral swelling +/ bruising, 2) tenderness over ligaments, 3) difficulty bearing wt
- R/o fractures (proximal fibula, base of 5th metatarsal, Salter-Harris)
- R/o inerruption of syndesmotic ligameter (btwn fib+tib) = “high ankle sprain”
- Ottawa ankle rules in >10yo
-
Ankle Xrays if:
- Pain in malleolar area AND >=1
- Bone tenderness in posterior edge 6cm from tip of medial malleolus
- Bone tenderness in posterior edge 6cm from tip of lateral malleolus
- Refusal to weight bear at time of injury and in ED
- Foot Xrays if:
- Pain in midfoot area AND >=1
- Bone tenderness at base of 5th metatarsal
- Bone tenderness at navicular
- Refusal to weight bear at time of injury and in ED
-
Ankle Xrays if:
- PRICE
- Protection - don’t immobilize. Functional bracing iwth early mobilization is better.
- Rest
- Ice: 15min 1-3X/d in first 36H of injury
- Compression
- Elevation
- NSAIDs
- Rehab
- Exercises to maintain ROM (esp dorsiflexion), strenghthen + increase flexibility
- Proprioceptive rehab
- Bracing for extra support (better than taping)
- Return to play
- Begin when pain resolved and ROM, strength + proprioception normalized. Step-wise return to play. Continue PT until full return.
- Use ankel brace to protect from further injury in first 3-6mo of return.

Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding
- What is it?
- What to do conservatively?
- What to do surgically?
- What is important to r/o?
- Ankyloglossia = tongue tie = abnormally short lingual frenulum
- Congenital anomaly. Usually in isolation
- Conservative: paretnal education, lactation support, reassurance
- Frenotomy: controversial for improving feeding. Risk of post-op scarring requiring repeat
- R/O other oral anomalies via thorough exam + observe breastfeeding
Anti-fungal agents for common outpatient paediatric infections
- Mucocutaneous candidiasis
- Oropharyngeal candidiasis
- Candida diaper dermatitis
- Tinea versicolor
- Seborrheic dermatiits
- Tinea capitis
- Tinea corporis
- Tinea pedis
- Oral antifungals (4)
- Drug interactions
- Mucocutaneous candidiasis
- Candida albicans colonization can occur from first week of life
- Oropharyngeal candidiasis
- Can start at 7d of life. 5-10% incidence.
- Nystatin 200,000 units QID. Give after feeds. Cure 50% in 1wk, 80% in 2wks
- If chronic thrush: topical clotrimazole troches
- If doesn’t respond to topical (esp if immunocompromised): PO 2nd gen imidazoles (fluconazole + itraconazole)
- Candida diaper dermatitis
- Common at 2-4mo of age
- Change diapers frequently, leave diapers off
- Ointment/creams/powders of nystatin, miconazole, clotrimazole. Treat 2X/d for 7-14d
- Pityriasis/Tinea versicolor
- Malassezia. Hypo/hyperpig lesions with scale on trunk. Occurs in adol when sebaceous glands active.
- Topical ketoconzaole, selenium sulfide, clotrimazole
- Shampoo preparations to affected area for 15-30min QHS for 1-2wks, then Q1mo x3mo to prevent recurrence
- Seborrheic dermatitis + pityriasis capitis (cradle cap)
- Malassezia furfur
- MIld soap applications
- If severe: shampoos with selenium sulfide or an azole
- Tinea capitis
- most common superficial dermatophyte infection in peds
- Microsporum canis, Trichophyton tonsurans
- PO ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine
- Tinea corporis = ringworm
- Trichophyton + microsporum species
- Transmitted by direct contact
- Topical cotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, or terbinafine. 1-2X/d x 14-21d. Don’t mix with C/S
- Tinea pedis = athletes foot
- Topical antifungal +/- drying agent (Burow’s solution; if macerated or vesicular)
- PO antifungal if involving toenails
- Fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine
- Prevent with good foot hygiene
- Oral antifungals
- Fluconazole: hydrophilic, present in bodily fluids. Candida, many dermatophytes + mycoses. Not helpful for superficial
- Itraconazole: keratin + lipophilic, excreted in sebum. Candida, dermatophytes, M furfur, some molds.
- Ketoconazole
- Terbinafine: keratin + lipophilic, dermatocytes + some moulds. No drug interactions b/c not metabolized through CYP450. SE: GI, skin, loss of taste.
- Drug interactions
- Azoles are metabolized by CYP450 (3A). Inhibit elimination of antiarrhythmics, cortisol, cyclosporin, estradiol, tacrolimus.
Antifungal agents for the treatment of systemic fungal infections in children
- Amphotericin B
- Broad-spectrum antifungal
- Lipid based products available - ampho B lipid complex, liposomal ampho B
- Less nephrotoxic
- Use if refractory/intolerant to ampho B deoxycholate.
- SE: nephrotoxicity, infusion-related events (fever, chills, rigors)
- Triazoles
- Fluconazole: PO/IV
- Excellent bioavailability
- Tx candida + cryptococcal infections
- No role for Aspergillus or other moulds
- PPx for allogenic HSCT recepients
- SE: hepatotoxicity (rare but serious), drug interactions (CYP450 inducer)
- Itraconazole: PO/IV
- <5yo have lower plasma concentrations than older
- PPx for candida + aspergillus (HSCT + lung transplant)
- Step-down therapy for severe Aspergillus
- SE: GI intolerance (abdo pain, V/D), elevated liver enzymes, drug interactions (CYP450 inhibitor)
- Voriconazole: PO/IV
- Avoid IV if mod/severe renal failure b/c potential toxic effects
- Tx invasive aspergillosis (preferred Tx)
- Can Tx systemic Candida (fluconazole first line)
- SE: skin rash, photophobia, blurred vision, photosensitivity, elevated liver enzymes + bili. All generally reversible.
- Fluconazole: PO/IV
- Echinocandins
- Glucan syntehsis inhibitors interfere with cell wall
- Caspofungin: IV only (dose per m2)
- Tx invasive candidiasis + aspergillosis (esp invasive pulmonary aspergillosis)
- Empiric Tx febrile nutropenic pt with impaired renal function
- Micafungin: same indication as caspo. Fungal ppx in HSCT
- Caspofungin: IV only (dose per m2)
- Antimetabolites
- Flucytosine: PO
- Used in combo with ampho B for CNS Candida or cryptococcal infxns
- SE: GI intolerance, BM suppression. May have rash, hepatotoxicity, H/A, confusion, hallucination, sedation, euphoria
- Flucytosine: PO
- Glucan syntehsis inhibitors interfere with cell wall
- Combination antifungal therapy
- Cryptococcal meningitis
- Incomplete reponse to initial therapy (esp if toxicity impedes optimal dose)
- Empiric therapy of severe disease presumed due to organisms with distinct fungal suscpetibility profiles (i.e. different drugs for each pathogen)
- Initial therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Antimicrobial stewardship in daily practice: Managing an important resource
- Use clinical judgment
- Accurate diagnosis
- Investigate judiciously (CXR to confirm PNA)
- Treat infection, not contamination/colonization
- Use appropriate samples when indicated
- No bag urines
- Throat Cx only when Sx suggestive of disease
- Surface swabs often reflect colonization
- Use appropriate samples when indicated
- Document rationale for ABx use
- Document suspected drug reaction as much as possible
- Rash vs anaphylaxis
- Know your local antibiogram
- Select narrowest spectrum of ABx needed
- Optimize dosing
- Optimize duration
- If strep pneumo or GAS -> beta-lactam (penicillin) NOT azithro/clarithro
- Only do throat culture if no cold Sx
- No F/U swabs on if completed therapy for GAS pharyngitis
- If staph aureus -> clox or keflex
- If MRSA -> drainage alone +/ septra PO or vanco IV
- If CAP -> empiric amox PO TID or amp IV.
- If not effective, consider complications of PNA or other Dx before changing ABx
- Macrolide only if evidence for Mycoplasma or Chlamydia penumonia
- CXR has high SN. Do before ABx
- Skin + soft tissue usually S aureus or GAS -> keflex
- Promote vaccinations to reduce likelihood of disease

Assessment of cardiorespiratory stability using the infant car seat challenge before discharge in preterm infants (<37 weeks’ gestational age)
- CPS does not recommend routine ICSC (infant car seat challenge test) before discharge for preterm infants
- Transferability of information from controlled testing environment is questionable
- PSG is gold standard for assessing resp stability in infants at risk of adverse events
- superior to clinical observation + cardiac/sat monitoring for detecting cardioresp events
- Counsel parents about safe car seat use. They should demo appropriate technique + practice before D/C
- Do not leave infants of any GA in car seats when not being transported. Assoc’d with infant deaths from asphyxiation
Autistic spectrum disorder: No causal relationship with vaccines
- MMR
- 1998 study claimed vaccine admin leads to a form of ASD based on claims from 8 parents
- 10/13 authors have now retracted their interpretation
- Many studies have refuted the claim
- Thiomersal
- Contains ethyl mercury. Has been used as an additive to biological therapies + vaccines b/c of its effect in preventing bacterial contamination
- NO causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism
- Canadian MMR vaccine (unlike US) NEVER contained mecury to begin with
- Rates of autism have continued to increase despite removal of thimerosal from vaccines
Azithromycin use in paediatrics: A practical overview
- What is the mechanism of macrolides?
- What coverage does azithromycin have?
- What about pneumoccoal resistance?
- When should azithro be used? (2)
- Macrolides inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding 50S subunit of ribosomes + blocking protein translocation
- Azithro is worse for G pos (strep pneumo), better against G neg (H influ, moraxella) - unlike erythro
- Pneumococcal resistance to macrolides is more common than to penicillin. Pen resistant strains are almost always macrolide-resistant
- Don’t use azithro for acute pharyngitis, AOM, or CAP in otherwise healthy children EXCEPT
- 2nd line for life-threatening beta-lactam allergy to treat acute pharyngitis caused by macrolide-sensitive GAS
- Consider for treating PNA caused by atypical bacteria
- School-aged child
- Subacute onset
- Prominent cough
- Minimal leukocytosis
- Non-lobar infiltrate






