Thursday, 24 May 2018
Monday, 14 May 2018
Respiratory Distress in a Child
Common Causes of Respiratory Distress in a Child Include:
- Pneumonia: The child may present with signs of respiratory distress viz. tachypnea, chest indrawing (due to consolidation), grunting, nasal flaring and head nodding. Presence of cyanosis and convulsions or pneumonia in a baby of less than 2 months is a severe state and should be treated as an emergency.
- Bronchial asthma: It mostly occurs in a child older than 2 months. There is sudden onset of respiratory distress (within a day or two). The patient is hyper-responsive to allergens, dust and cold. It is generally not associated with fever. Past history of similar episodes and family history must be taken thoroughly.
- Bronchiolitis: It's most common in 2 months to 1 year of age. Prodormal symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, malaise) will be found due to the involvement of respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.
- Foreign body inhalation: There will be a sudden onset of respiratory distress (within minutes). The condition may worsen over time due to edema and swelling up of hygroscopic foreign bodies. There may be history of choking.
- Congestive Cardiac Failure: Younger children may present with congenital heart disease characterised by feeding problems (inability to continue feed after 10 minutes) and sweating during feeds. Growth may be delayed indicating a state of "Failure to Thrive". Older children may present with Rheumatic heart disease associated with migratory joint pain and rheumatic fever.
Monday, 1 January 2018
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