Paeds Flashcards
(846 cards)
What is croup?
common viral upper airway infection
affects children 6months - 3yrs
larynx inflammation causes barking cough, stridor and may have low fever
Causes of croup
parainfluenza virus is most common cause
other viral causes = influenza A and B, measles, adenovirus, resp synctial virus
bacterial causes = staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilius influenzae and moraxella catarrhalis
How does croup spread?
droplet spread
outbreaks can occur in childcare settings eg school
most common in autumn
more common in males
Croup pathophysiology
following coryzal prodrome, WBCs infiltrate larynx, trachea and large bronchi, causing inflammation
- this causes oedema, results in partial airway obstruction
- when significant, airway obstruction increases work of breathing and causes stridor
Mild croup
- occasional barking cough
- no audible stridor at rest
- no or mild suprasternal and/or intercostal recession
- child happy and prepared to eat, drink and play
Moderate croup
-frequent barking cough
- easily audible stridor at rest
- suprasternal and sternal wall retraction at rest
- no or little distress or agitation
- child can be placated and is interested in its surroundings
Severe croup
- frequent barking cough
- prominent inspiratory (and occasionally expiratory) stridor at rest
- marked sternal wall retractions
- significant distress and agitation, or lethargy and restlessness
- tachycardia occurs w/ more severe obstructive symptoms and hypoxaemia
When should a child be admitted for croup?
- moderate or severe croup
- <3months of age
- known upper airway abnormalities
- uncertainty about diagnosis
Croup clinical features
coryzal prodrome which progresses over 12-48hrs to include:
- low fever <38ºC)
- hoarseness
- barking cough (worse at night)
- stridor - insidious and progressive
Features of respiratory distress
tachypnoea
cyanosis
head bobbing
nasal flaring
subcostal and intercostal recession
suprasternal and sternal recession
diaphragmatic breathing
use of accessory muscles
Croup investigations
clinical - barking cough and stridor
Croup differentials
- viral upper resp tract infection - seal like barking cough less common
- bronchiolitis - causes wheeze
- epiglottitis - absence of barking cough, muffled hot potato voice
- foreign body aspiration - history, abrupt onset during daytime
- bacterial tracheitis - school-age, reluctant to cough due to pain
Croup management
Supportive
Oral dexamethasone
Parents advised that symptoms usually resolves w/in 48hrs, and to escalate if stridor is hear or symptoms worsen
Arrange follow up
Moderate - severe croup management
supportive
oral dexamethasone
nebulised epinephrine
supplemental oxygen
advise parents
children can be discharged home after 2-4hrs of obs following epinephrine, given no stridor at rest
Croup complications
resp distress
pneumonia
pulmonary oedema
epiglottitis
bacterial tracheitis
What is bronchiolitis?
acute bronchiolar inflammation seen in infants and young children
What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis?
respiratory synctial virus (RSV) in 75-80% of cases
Bronchiolitis clinical features
coryzal symptoms (including mild fever) precede:
- dry cough
- increasing breathlessness
- wheezing, fine inspiratory crackles (not always present)
- feeding difficulties associated w/ increasing dyspnoea
Bronchiolitis investigations
immunofluorescence of nasopharyngeal secretions may show RSV
Bronchiolitis management
supportive
nasal suction
oxygen
hydration
Causes of asthma
- genetic: FH, predisposition
- environmental: allergens, air pollution, tobacco smoke
- infections: viral, bacterial
- sensitisation and atopy: eczema, food allergies
- sociodemographic: socioeconomic, urban v rural living
- lifestyle: dietary, physical activity
Asthma definition
condition characterised by variable airflow limitation and airway hyper-responsiveness in response to number of stimuli
can eventually result in permanent airway remodelling and therefore limitations in reversibility of airflow limitation
What is a HEADS assessment?
Home
Education
Activities
Drugs and alcohol
Suicidality / sex
BINDS
Birth / perinatal
Immunisation
Nutrition / feeding
Developmental
Social