PAEDS RESPIRATORY Flashcards
(114 cards)
RESP OVERVIEW
What are some causes of respiratory infections in children?
80-90% viral –
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza
Bacterial –
- Strep. pneumoniae, h. influenzae, moraxella catarrhalis, bordatella pertussis
RESP OVERVIEW
What are some risk factors for respiratory infections?
- Parental smoking
- Poor socioeconomic status
- Male gender
- Immunodeficiency
- Underlying lung disease
RESP OVERVIEW
Cough is a very common symptoms with many causes.
What are some of the causes of cough?
- Recurrent colds, allergic rhinitis (post-nasal drip)
- Infections
- Reflux (aspiration)
- Passive smoking
- CF, bronchiectasis, asthma
- TB
URTI
What is the most common presentation of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)?
- Combination of nasal discharge + blockage
- Fever, sore throat, earache
- Cough
URTI
How does coryza present?
Clear or mucopurulent nasal discharge + blockage
URTI
What are some complications of URTIs?
- Difficulty feeding + breathing
- Febrile convulsions
- Acute exacerbations of asthma
URTI
What is coryza?
- Commonest infection in childhood (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, RSV)
URTI
What is the management of coryza?
- Conservative (paracetamol, ibuprofen, fluids)
OTITIS MEDIA
How would you investigate otitis media?
- Tympanic membrane bright red + bulging with loss of normal light reflection
- May be pus visible with hole in TM in acute perforation
LARYNX/TRACHEAL ISSUES
What are laryngeal + tracheal infections characterised by?
- Stridor (rasping sound on inspiration)
- Hoarseness of voice (inflamed vocal cords)
- Barking cough
- Variable degree of dyspnoea
LARYNX/TRACHEAL ISSUES
What are some causes of stridor?
- Croup
- Epiglottitis
- Laryngomalacia
- Inhaled foreign body
- Tracheitis
LARYNX/TRACHEAL ISSUES
How can the severity of upper airway obstruction be clinically assessed in laryngeal and tracheal infections?
- Chest recession (none, only on crying, at rest)
- Degree of stridor (none, only on crying, at rest or biphasic)
- Tracheal tug (none, present)
- Sternal wall retractions (present or marked)
- Lethargy or agitation + RD = severe
LARYNX/TRACHEAL ISSUES
What is the main issue with laryngeal and tracheal infections?
How can this be avoided?
- Mucosal inflammation + swelling can rapidly cause life-threatening obstruction
- Do NOT examine throat, keep calm
CROUP
What is the epidemiology?
- Peak incidence 2y (6m–3y), commonly Autumn
CROUP
What are the causes?
- Parainfluenza viruses (#1), less so RSV, metapneumovirus, influenza
CROUP
What is croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)?
- URTI causing oedema in larynx, oedema of subglottis dangerous (narrow trachea)
CROUP
What is the clinical presentation of croup?
- Initial low grade fever + coryza start and are worse at night
- Barking (seal-like) cough, harsh stridor + hoarseness
CROUP
When would you admit a patient to hospital?
- Mod-severe croup, <6m or upper airway issues (laryngomalacia)
CROUP
How do you assess croup severity?
Westley score for severity
(chest wall retractions, stridor, cyanosis, air entry + consciousness)
CROUP
What are the investigations for croup?
- Clinical but if CXR done PA view shows subglottic narrowing (steeple sign)
CROUP
What is the management of croup?
- PO dexamethasone 0.15mg/kg 1st line, can repeat at 12h
- Nebulised budesonide (steroid)
- High flow oxygen + nebulised adrenaline (more severe/emergency cases)
- Monitor closely with anaesthetist + ENT input, intubation rare
ACUTE EPIGLOTTITIS
What is acute epiglottitis?
- Life-threatening emergency as high risk of obstruction due to intense swelling of epiglottis + surrounding tissues associated with septicaemia
ACUTE EPIGLOTTITIS
What causes it?
- Haemophilus influenza B (HiB), most common 1–6y
ACUTE EPIGLOTTITIS
What is the clinical presentation of acute epiglottitis?
- Rapid onset, no preceding coryza
- High fever in an ill, toxic looking child
- Intensely painful throat (can’t drink, speak, drooling saliva)
- Soft inspiratory stridor with absent or minimal cough
- ‘Tripod’ position > optimise airway by leaning forward + extending neck