Paeds Flashcards
How does erythema toxicum neonatorum present?
aka newborn rash
around day 2-3, lasts about 24 hours
benign
white pinpoint papules at the centre of an erythematous base
looks like red blotches (baby acne) concentrated on trunk (and face)
How does strawberry naevus present?
aka cavernous hemangioma
grows until 6-9 months then regresses
benign
small flat red area > raised dimpled strawberry like lesion
mostly on head/neck
What tx can speed regression of a strawberry naevus?
topical propanolol
What is congenital dermal melanocytosis? How does it present?
mongolian blue spot
flat irregular blue/blue gray spots mostly on back/buttocks
can be mistaken for bruises
benign + spontaneous resolution
How does a stork bite/salmon patch present?
collection of blood vessels
pink patches on face/back of neck
blanch on pressure
get darker when crying/temp changes
fade over a few months
What is a caput succedaneum? What is it caused by?
boggy superficial scalp swelling that can cross suture line
(CA = CS - cap succ = cross suture)
caused by:
- pressure against cervix during birth (traumatic/prolonged birth)
- ventouse delivery
What is a cephalohaematoma? How is it managed?
subperiosteal haemorrhage due to damage to blood vessels during traumatic/prolonged/instrumental delivery
periosteum stuck tightly to skull = does not cross suture lines
usually does not require intervention
risk of anaemia + jaundice - monitor
What are the differentials for a superficial scalp swelling in a newborn? What is the possible complication of both?
caput succedaneum = crosses suture lines
cephalohaematoma = does not cross suture lines, more likely to cause discolouration of skin in area
jaundice = key complication > bruising and blood break down overwhelming newborn liver
When is neonatal jaundice abnormal?
very common
<24hrs old = always abnormal
2-14 days = normal
>2wks = can be either
Neonatal jaundice is caused by raised levels of what?
bilirubin
What are the causes of neonatal jaundice in neonates <24 hours old?
Sepsis :(
rhesus haemolytic disease
ACO incompatibility
TORCH infections
G6PD deficiency (x-linked recessive)
Hereditary spherocytosis (AD)
Cephalohematoma
Crigler-najjar syndrome (no UGT enzyme)
When does rhesus haemolytic disease occur?
mum is rhesus D -ve and baby is rhesus D +ve
What is the pathophysiology of rhesus haemolytic disease?
if mother is rhesus D -ve and baby is +ve
blood from the baby enters mother’s bloodstream > mother recognises baby’s rhesus D antigens on the rbcs as foreign and produces abs against them = mother is sensitised
sensitisation = usually fine in 1st pregnancy unless occurs early on
subsequent pregnancies = mother’s anti-D abs can cross placenta into fetus
if fetus is rhesus +ve > abs attach and cause immune system of fetus to attack own rbcs
= haemolysis > anaemia, high bilirubin
How does normal physiological jaundice occur in the newborn?
- high conc of rbc in fetus + neonate
- rbcs are more fragile (70 day lifespan) > release lots of bilirubin
- less developed liver function > normally excreted by placenta > no placenta > normal rise in bilirubin shortly after birth = mild yellowing of skin and sclera from 2-7 days
Causes of neonatal jaundice can be split into increased production and decreased clearance of bilirubin. Give some examples of each.
increased prod:
haemolytic disease, ABO incompat, sepsis, G6PD def, haemorrhage, cephalohaematoma
decreased clearance: prematurity, breast milk jaundce, cholestasis, extrahepatic biliary atresia, endocrine disorders, gilbert
What is kernicterus? How does it happen?
bilirubin can cross BBB > unconj bil deposition in abasal ganglia + brainstem after it exceeds the albumin binding capacity
excessive levels can lead to
brain damage
What are the causes of prolonged jaundice? When is jaundice considered prolonged?
> 14 days
21 days in a premature baby
biliary atresia
hypothyroidism
breast milk
CF
galactosaemia
UTI
gilbert syndrome
How is neonatal jaundice managed?
total bilirubin on tx threshold chart
phototherapy
severe jaundice - exchange transfusion
What is phototherapy? How does it correct jaundice?
light-box shines blue light on baby’s skin
converts unc bil into isomers that can be excreted in the bile/urine without needing conjugation in the liver
How does kernicterus present?
less responsive, floppy, drowsy baby with poor feeding
can cause seizures, hypotonia, opisthotonos
Is brain damage caused by kernicterus permanent?
yes
> cerebral palsy, LD, deafness
Why are babies who are breastfed more likely to become jaundiced?
components inhibit the ability of liver to process bilirubin
more likely to become dehydrated if not feeding adequately > slow passage of stools > increases absorption of bilirubin in intestines
How should neonatal jaundice be investigated?
FBC (anaemia, haemolysis)
blood film (G6PD, spherocytosis
unconjugated (extra-hepatic source)
conjugated (hepatobiliary source)
blood type of mother + baby (ABO/rhesus incompatability)
direct combs test (haemolysis)
thyroid function (hypo)
LFTs (hepatitis)
What is a tx threshold chart for neonatal jaundice?
age versus total bilirubin