Paediatrics Flashcards
What are the organisms causing newborn pneumonia?
Group B streptococcus from mother’s genital tract
Gram-neg enterococci
What organisms cause pneumonia in infants and young children?
Respiratory viruses (RSV in particular)
Streptococcus pneumonia
Haemophilus influenza
Bordetella pertussis
What organisms cause pneumonia in children over 5
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Chlamydia pneumoniae
What are the classic signs of consolidation?
Dullness on percussion
Decreased breath sounds
Bronchial breathing over the affected area
(these are often absent in young children)
What is the antibiotic of choice for pneumonia
Amoxicillin or erythromycin for over 5 year olds
Co-amoxiclav if complicated or unresponsive
What is the defect in cystic fibrosis
Defective protein in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) on chromosome 7
What is CFTR
A cyclic AMP-dependent chloride channel
What is the pathophysiology of CF?
Abnormal ion transport across epithelial cells
What are the other complications of CF apart from resp?
Meconium ileus
Blocks pancreatic ducts - pancreatic enzyme deficiency and malabsorption
Abnormal sweat gland function
What is the diagnostic test for CF
The sweat test - high chloride concentration
And gene testing
What is the most common causative organisms for peri orbital cellulitis
Staphylococcus Aureus
Group A strep
Haemophilus Influenzae
What should be excluded in diagnosis of a squint
Retinoblastoma - check red reflexes
Cataracts
After how many months old should a baby with a squint be referred to a specialist?
3 months - newborn babies normally have transient misalignments
What are the two types of squints?
Concomitant (usually due to a refractive error in one eye)
Paralytic (sinister causes such as a space-occupying lesion)
How to test for a squint with a pen-torch
Red reflex in both eyes at the same time - if not, there is a squint
Severe GORD is more common in children with what?
Cerebral palsy and neurodevelopment disorders
Preterm infants
Following surgery fro oesophageal atresia or diaphragmatic hernia
Complications of GORD
Failure to thrive due to severe vomiting
Oesophagitis
Recurrent pulmonary aspiration
Dystonic neck posturing
Apparent life-threatening events (ALTE)
How is failure to thrive defined on a growth chart?
Mild: a fall across 2 centile lines
Severe: a fall across 3 centime lines
Causes of failure to thrive
Inadequate intake
Inadequate retention
Malabsorption
Failure to utilise nutrients
Increased requirements
What is marasmus
Weight for height 3 standard deviations below the median and a wasted, wizened appearance
Skin-fold appearance and id-arm circumference markedly reduced
What is Kwashiorkor
Severe protein malnutrition with generalised oedema as well as severe wasting. Weight may not be reduced due to oedema
Can happen when infants are weaned from the breast quite late or if diet is high in starch
Features of Kwashiorkor
‘Flaky-paint’ skin rash with hyper keratosis and desquamation
Distended abdomen and enlarged liver
Angular stomatitis
Hair which is sparse and depigmented
Diarrhoea, hypothermia, bradycardia and hypotension
Low plasma albumin, potassium, glucose and magnesium
Management of severe acute malnutrition
Hypoglycaemia
Hypothermia
Dehydration (but avoid being overzealous with IV fluids as can lead to heart failure)
Electrolytes
Infection
Micronutrients
What is Hirschprung disease
The absence of myenteric plexuses of rectum and variable distance of colon. Causes a narrow, contracted segment