PEDIATRICS
Haematuria and proteinuria
Acute Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis Acute glomerulonephritis results from immune-mediated damage to the glomerulus. The commonest type in childhood is due to immune complex formation following group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection. The…
Systems examination
KEY QUESTIONS FROM THE HISTORY Breathlessness Consider the severity of breathing problems with activities Poor weight gain in infancy (a sign of respiratory distress) Cough Chronology—any link to time of…
Urinary tract infections
Investigating Urinary Tract Infections Renal ultrasound scan (USS) To identify anatomical abnormalities (e.g. hydronephrosis, gross vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), duplex or horseshoe kidney). May identify renal cortical damage but can miss…
Constipation
Management of Constipation Stage 1 Dietary management of constipation High-fibre foods Avoid excessive white bread Encourage wholewheat bread or bran High-fibre cereals Stool softeners Fruit (particularly the peel), vegetables Beans…
Recurrent abdominal pain
Some 10–15% of school-age children experience recurrent abdominal pain at some point, but only one in ten have an organic problem. A good clinical evaluation is essential as it is…
Acute fever
Fever is usually a response to infection or inflammation and may form part of the body’s defence against infection. The height of the fever does not necessarily correlate with the…
The premature baby
7% of all babies are premature (<37 weeks) and 1% are extremely premature (<28 weeks) or very low birthweight (VLBW<1500 g). Premature babies can survive from 23–24 weeks gestation, although…
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the commonest recessive genetic disorder in white populations of European origin. It causes a molecular defect in a cellular membrane chloride channel which leads to the…
