Paediatrics Flashcards
What are some common viral causes of resp infections?
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus
- Rhinovirus
- Influenza
- Metapneumovirus
- Adenovirus
What are some common bacterial causes of resp infections?
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Bordetella pertussis
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Haemophilus Influenza
- Strep Pneumonia
What are some risk factors for resp infections?
- Parental smoking
- Poor socioeconomic status
- Poor nutrition
- Male
- Immunodeficiency
- Underlying condition
Give 3 URTis and state what they can cause.
URTis and what they cause
- Coryza (cold)
- Sore throat (pharyngitis, tonsillitis)
- Acute otitis Media
- Sinusitis
Causes
- Difficulty feeding
- Febrile convulsions
- Asthma exacerbations
What is the Centor Criteria?
Set of Criteria to determine the likelihood of a sore throat being bacterial.
- Tonsillar exudate
- Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
- Fever
- Absence of cough
3+ = Strep infection needing Abx
What is Whooping Cough?
Acute highly contagious resp infection transmitted by resp droplets . Co-infection with RSV is common.
What is the cause of Whooping Cough?
Caused by Bordetella pertussis, gram neg coccobacillus cultured on bordet gengou agar.
How long do symptoms last and what are the two stages of Pertussis?
Symptoms last 6-8 weeks.
Catarrhal stage
Paroxysmal coughing
What are the symptoms in the catarrhal stage?
- Malaise
- Conjunctivitis
- Nasal discharge
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Mild fever
What are the symptoms in the paroxysmal coughing stage?
Dry hacking cough that is worse at night and after feeding
Coughing followed by the characteristic whoop - inspiration against the closed epiglottis.
What can be complications of whooping cough?
Post cough – vomiting, apnoea,cyanosis
Subconjunctival haemorrhage/anoxia can be brought on by coughing fits seizures and syncope
What investigations would be appropriate in Whooping cough?
- PCR via nasal swabs
- Lymphocytosis common
- Nasopharyngeal swabs
- Test for anti-pertussis IgG
- Culture is the gold standard.
What is the management of Whooping Cough?
Hospitalised if over 6 months –> risk of apnoea
10-14 days incubation
Marcolides 1st line - Azithromycin or clarithromycin or erythromycin
Erythromycin for pregnant women
Off school for 48 hrs after Abx start
What is Acute Epiglottitis?
Life threatening emergency due to high risk of resp obstruction.
What is the cause of Acute Epiglottitis?
Haemophilus influenza Type B (Hib)
Hib immunisation - 99% reduction in cases, most common in ages 2-7yrs
What are the symptoms of Acute Epiglottitis?
Intense swelling of epiglottis Very acute onset Drooling Stridor High fever Dysphagia and speech difficulty due to pain Minimal cough
What investigations should be ordered for acute epiglottitis?
- Laryngoscopy
- Lateral neck x-ray
- FBC
- Blood cultures/swab of epiglottis.
What should you never do when suspecting an obstruction of the resp tract/acute epigglottits?
Do not upset or cannulate
Do not examine throat with spatula or lie them down.
What is Croup?
Laryngotracheobronchitis.
Mucosal inflammation and increased secretions that affect the airway. Can cause dangerous oedema in the subglottic area which may narrow the trachea.
What are some viral causes of croup?
Parainfluenza 1,2,3 (most common)
RSV
Influenza
Metapneumovirus
Most common in the autumn time – 6 months to 6yrs with a peak incidence at 2yrs.
How does Croup present?
- Barking cough (worse at night)
- Harsh stridor
- Hoarseness
- Preceding nonspecific viral URTI
- Coryza, fever, cough
What are some signs of severe Croup?
- Cyanosis
- Rising HR/RR
- Restlessness
- Altered consciousness
What investigations can diagnose Croup?
Most diagnosed clinically
X-ray signs –> Posterior-anterior view = subglottic narrowing = steeple sign
How should you manage Croup?
CKS recommend giving a single dose of oral dexamethasone (0.15mg/kg) to all children regardless of severity
Prednisolone is an alternative if dexamethasone is not available
Emergency – high flow oxygen + nebulised adrenaline.