Normal obs in a neonate
Heart rate: 120-160
Resp rate: 30-60
BP: 60/30 - 90/60
Normal obs in infants, school age, adults
Infant
HR - 100-160
RR - 30-40
School age
HR - 70-120
RR - 18-30
Adult
HR 60-100
RR 12-20
What is epiglottitis and what is its main cause?
Life threatening emergency.
Swelling of epiglottis - can completely block airway in hours, typically caused by Haemophilus influenza B. (incidence decreased due to Hib vaccine)
Presentation of epiglottitis
Much more rapid onset than croup
- Fever, sore throat, stridor
- Drooling (painful throat prevents swallowing)
- Tripod position (sat forward with hands on knees - easier to breathe)
- Difficulty/painful swallowing and muffled voice
Investigations of epiglottitis
Direct visualisation by senior staff (to not distress patient)
Lateral X ray of neck shows “Thumb sign” (Swollen eipglottis pressing on trachea like a thumb)
Management of epiglottitis
Do not examine due to risk of airway obstruction
What is croup, and what is its most common cause?
Acute URTI causing oedema in the larynx of young children (6m-2y)
Parainfluenza virus most common
(AKA Laryngotracheobronchitis)
Presentation of croup
Usually preceded by non specific cough, rhinorrhoea etc.
Give signs of IWOB
Tachypnoea
Tracheal tug
Nasal Flaring
Intercostal and subcostal recessions
Use of accessory muscles
In kids also:
- Grunting
- Head bobbing
- Abdominal breathing
Investigations of croup
Clinical diagnosis (dont examine throat)
Posterior-anterior X Ray - steeple sign (subglottic narrowing)
Management of Croup
Single oral dose of oral dexamethasone (0.15mg/kg) to all children regardless of severity.
Should resolve in 48 hours.
If not, or if severe, oxygen + Nebulised adrenaline
What cause of Croup goes on to cause epiglottitis
Croup caused by diphtheria causes epiglottitis and has a high mortality
Causes of HAP
Early (<5 days admission) - S pneumoniae
Late (>5 days admission) - Gram negative rods (P aeruginosa, H influenzae) + S aureus
Causes of CAP (bacterial, viral and fungal)
Bacterial
- S pneumoniae (most common)
- H influenzae
- S aureus
Viral
- Influenza virus
- Parainfluenza
- RSV
Fungal
- Chlamydia trachomatis
Management of pneumonia in children
Amoxicillin first line.
Macrolides (clarithromycin, azithromycin) used if jirovecii or chlamydia.
Co-amoxiclav if influenza
Most commonly affected lobe in pneumonia
Right middle/lower due to it being wider and more vertical than left bronchus, facilitating aspirate passage
What is pneumocystis pneumonia?
Unicellular eukaryote - opportunistic infection in AIDS. Causes extra pulmonary manifestations (Hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and choroiditis)
What is bronchiolitis? What is its main cause?
Acute bronchiolar inflammation usually caused by RSV. Most common LRTI in under 1s.
Maternal IgG from breast feeding usually provides protection against RSV
Risk factors for bronchiolitis
How does bronchiolitis present
Dry cough
Increasing breathlessness
Wheezing w/ fine inspiratory crackles
Difficulties feeding due to dyspnoea
Coryzal symptoms (fever, rhinorrhoea, blocked nose, watery eyes)ME?
When should referral be considered in bronchiolitis? And when is it immediately urgent
Resp rate >60
Inadequate intake or clinical dehydration
Urgent
- Apnoea
- Severe resp distress
- Central cyanosis
- O2 sats <92
- Unwell looking
How is bronchiolitis investigated and treated?
Clinical diagnosis, nasopharyngeal secretions may show RSV
Supportive management
- Humidified oxygen via nasal cannula if O2 <92%
- NG tube feeding
- Suction if excessive upper airway secretions
What is Cystic Fibrosis
A phenylalanine deletion on the CFTR (CF transmembrane conductance regulator) gene on chromosome 7, causing secretions to become much thicker. Mainly affects pancreas and lungs.
Autosomal recessive.
How does CF affect the pancreas and the lungs
Pancreas - thick pancreatic and biliary secretions block ducts, causing pancreatitis (autodigestion), cholangitis and lack of digestive enzymes in GI tract.
Causes failure to thrive, steatorrhoea and endocrine dysfunction e.g. CF diabetes.
Lungs - Impaired mucociliary clearance. Causes an obstructive pattern and thick immobile secretions = repeat S aureus and P aeruginosa infections.