Red Flags in Children | Western Sydney University

University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

372

Pages:

3
Author:

Mariam A. A.

Red Flags in Children Red Flag Description For example, foreign body in the larynx Most foreign bodies are oesophageal, not airway related Life threatening airway obstruction is rare, but must be immediately ruled out If children can talk or cry, then a serious obstruction is unlikely Clinical features: Stridor Sternal/intercostal recession Tracheal tug Hypoxia -> apnoea -> unconsciousness/cardiac arrest Immediate management Back blows for all ages Younger children -> upside down over the knee Chest thrusts for children under 4 Avoid Heimlich due to risk of abdominal trauma Heimlich manoeuvre for children aged more than 4 or 5 If child is conscious but distressed Keep them clam and upright Call for senior anaesthetist and ENT surgeon Chocking and Foreign Body Aspiration Inhalation anaesthetic may be used for removing object with in Children Magill’s forceps If unconscious: Use of laryngoscope and Magill’s forceps immediately In rare cases -> cricothyrotomy may be required Foreign body in the Bronchus Delayed presentation Common objects: peanuts and beads May not be witnessed Presentation Wheeze Recurrent chest infections Describes a pause in breathing or stopping breathing Any child who has it should be referred to hospital by ambulance Most common in infants aged 1 to 4 months May signal serious illness Not necessarily respiratory Causes Apnoea Bronchiolitis Pertussis – whooping cough Sepsis Meningitis Seizures Descriptions: Cyanosis or floppiness as apnoea A severe, prolonged asthma attack that does not respond to initial treatment 2 to 3 nebulisers or repeated inhalers Can lead to respiratory failure, including intubation and ventilators Key signs: Tachypnoea Status Asthmaticus Subcostal recession and accessory muscle use Low oxygen saturations Tachycardia Quiet or silent chest Fatigue, quietness, broken speech, anxiety Poor response to nebulisers