What are the ABCs of the Paediatric Assessment Triangle?
Appearance: Abormal Tone, Low Interactiveness and Consolability, Abnormal Look/Gaze and Abnormal Speech/Cry
Breathing: Abnormal Sounds and Position, Retractions, Flaring and Apnoeas and Grunting
Circulation: Pallor, Mottling and Cyanosis
What is a normal blood glucose level for children?
Between 4mmol/L to 7mmol/L
What is a normal heart rate for children who are under one-year old?
Between 100 to 160
What is a normal respiratory rate for children who are under one-year old?
0-6Months: 30 to 60
6-12Months: 24 to 30
What is a normal blood pressure reading for children who are under one-year old?
0-6Months: 65 to 90
6-12Months: 80 to 100
What is a normal temperature range for children under eleven-years of age?
Between 36.5° to 37.5°
What is a normal heart rate for children under elven years of age?
Between 70 to 120
What is a normal respiratory rate for children under eleven years of age?
1-5Years: 20 to 30
6-11Years: 12 to 20
What is a normal blood pressure range for children under eleven years of age?
Between 90 to 110 mm/Hg
Name 6 Anatomical and Physiological differences between children and adults
→ smaller alveoli
→ smaller trachea
→ children are obligate nasal breathers under 6 Months of age
→ big head
→ big tongue
→ they use their tummies as accessory muscles to breathe
Define Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
It occurs when fluid builds up in the alveoli, and leads to severe shortness of breath. It will usually develop within a few hours after precipitating injury or infection.
Name 2 Complications of ARDS
Pneumothorax due to the collapse of the lungs, or pulmonary fibrosis as the scarring of lung tissue can occur and further prevents oxygen passage through the alveoli.
What is Croup?
Croup is caused by a virus and leads to cold and flu symptoms that worsen at night.
What are symptoms of Croup?
Symptoms are hoarse voice, stridor, fever, barking cough and increased work of breathing.
What are signs that indicate a child is deteriorating if they have croup?
These are increased restlessness, unable to swallow, cyanosis, rapid breathing, intercostal retractions and tracheal tug.
What is Otitis Media?
It is an infection of the middle ear that leads to inflammation. Occurs as a result of a cold, sore throat or respiratory infection. In an infection of the middle ear, the tympanic membrane looks red, bulging and there may be clear, yellowish or greenish fluid.
What are some treatment options for Croup?
Treatment is analgesia and NSAIDs, penicillin, local anesthetic and tympanostomy tubes which enables drainage of the middle ear and allows air to flow into ear and prevents the build up of fluid behind the tympanic membrane
Name 5 Croup Risk Factors
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges or the upper arachnoid space. The infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa.
Name the 3 Layers of the Meninges
True or False: Bacterial Meningitis has a lower mortality rate than Viral Meningitis.
False
Name 3 Bacteria that may cause Meningitis
It is caused by Streptoccocus Pneumoniae, Streptoccocus Aureus, Haemophilus Influenza Type B and Neisseria Meningitidis bacteria.
What are symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
These may be fevers, seizures, headaches, neck stiffness, photophobia, irritability, raised intracranial pressure, altered level of consciousness, and rapidly evolving non-blanching rash.
What is the treatment for Bacterial Meningitis?
Treatment includes IVABx, CSF cultures, travel history, steroids and anticonvulsants.