PH1122 - Paediatrics Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is colic ?
colic is usually defined as episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying in an infant who otherwise appears to be healthy
what causes colic ?
It has been linked to a disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where spasmodic contraction of smooth muscle causes pain and discomfort, which might be caused by allergy to cow’s milk, lactose intolerance, or inadequate amounts of lactobacilli. It has also been suggested that it might stem from emotional, behavioural, and social problems that include underdeveloped parenting skills, inadequate social network, postpartum depression, and parental anxiety and stress.
what areas should be asked about before diagnosing colic ?
Infants may cry excessively for reasons other than a medical cause, for example, hunger, thirst, being too hot or cold and trapped wind.
what is the method of detecting headlice via dry combing ?
- Straighten and untangle dry hair using normal comb.
- Switch to a detection comb. (egg removal comb unsuitable for detection)
- Starting form back of head, comb the scalp from the scalp down to the end of the hair.
- After each stroke examine the comb for live lice.
- Continue to comb all hair in sections until the whole head has been combed.
- The process can take 5 mins or more in people with shoulder length hair.
What is the method of detecting head lice via wet combing ?
- Wash hair with normal shampoo.
- Apply hair conditioner.
- Repeat steps 1-5 as for dry combing.
- Rinse out the conditioner.
- Wet combing is more time consuming and should be performed for all family members.
what age is chicken pox most common?
children under 10 years
what is the approximate incubation time for chicken pox ?
11-21 days
What are symptoms of chicken pox ?
A rash(small red lumps that develop into blisters into crusted spots) usually starting on the chest back and face possible raised temperature and headache general unwellness
Should children still go to school if they have chickenpox ?
They can go after the spots have crusted over
exclusion from school is usually not necessary 6 days after the onset of the rash.
what other advise could be helpful in the treatment of chicken pox ?
It should clear within a week but to avoid scratching it might be helpful to cut their finger nails shortening them.
What is potential treatment that could be used for colic?
Treatments include simeticone, lactase enzymes, low-lactose milk formulas, and Gripe mixtures. None have a credible evidence base.
simeticone = dentinox, infacol
lactase enzyme = colief
gripe mixture= gripe water
what is the body’s normal temperature classed as ?
Normal oral temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), plus or minus 1°C, although rectal temperature is about 0.5°C higher and underarm temperature is 0.5°C lower than oral temperature
what is the temperature of a fever classed as ?
Fever is often classified as being mild (low-grade; up to 39°C) or high (> 39°C).
What age should children automatically be referred if they have fever ?
less than 3 months
what does it suggest if there are no associated symptoms with a fever in a child ?
Bacterial infection, often a urine infection.
What are symptoms of impetigo
It usually starts as a small, red, itchy patch of inflamed skin that quickly develops into vesicles that rupture and weep. The exudate dries to a brown-yellow sticky crust
should children with impetigo be kept off school ?
yes as It is contagious, and children should be kept off school until the lesions have healed, dried, and crusted over.
what is treatment for impetigo ?
Antibiotics which are not available OTC
would have to get a prescription
what further advice should be given for impetigo ?
keep good general hygiene
don’t share towels etc
what are hygiene measures that should be taken with threadworms ?
Strict attention to hygiene needed Nails kept short and clean Careful hand washing and nail scrubbing prior to meals and after each visit to the toilet Wash bed linen regularly – ideally every day Don’t share towels Underwear underneath night clothes Shower daily immediately on rising Damp dusting and daily vacuuming
How are threadworms treated ?
Mebendazole is available OTC for the treatment of threadworm. There is a large body of evidence to support the effectiveness of mebendazole in roundworm infections but, for other worm infections, including threadworm, cure rates are lower. For threadworm, cure rates between 60% and 82%. A second dose could be taken 2 weeks after if reinfection occurs.
what could be possible side effects of mebendazole ?
Side effects include abdominal pain and discomfort (most commonly reported side effect), diarrhoea, and flatulence.
what is the minimum age required to take mebendazole ?
2 years OTC
6 months
What causes nappy rash ?
Friction and maceration of the skin are key to its cause. This is compounded by excessive heat and moisture combined with the effect of faecal and urinary enzymes when in prolonged contact with the skin (faeces breakdown produces ammonia, and is considered a contributory cause, because ammonia is only an irritant when in contact with damaged skin). Greater exposure of skin surfaces to moisture impairs the skin’s barrier function and makes the skin more susceptible to secondary infection.
