Pediatrics Review: School-Age Children (Including Preschool)


417

22






Pediatrics Review: School-Age Children (Including Preschool)






Image  DANGER SIGNALS






Kawasaki Disease/Syndrome


Onset of high fever (up to 104°F) and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Bright-red rash (more obvious on groin area). Conjunctivitis (dry, no discharge), dry cracked lips, “strawberry tongue.” Swollen hands and feet. After fever subsides, skin peels off hands and feet. Treated with high-dose aspirin and gamma globulin.


Most cases (75%) occur in children younger the age of 5 years. Resolves within 4 to 8 weeks but may have serious sequelae, such as aortic dissection, aneurysms of the coronary arteries, and blood clots. Close follow-up with pediatric cardiologist done for several years because effects may not be apparent until child is older (or an adult).


Leukemia


Complains of extreme fatigue and weakness. Pale skin and easy bruising. May have petechial bleeding (pinpoint to small red spots). May have bleeding gums and nosebleeds. Some have bone or joint pain, lymphadenopathy, or swelling in the abdomen. The most common type in children is acute lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemias are the most common type of cancer in children and adolescents.


Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)


Fast-growing cancer of the lymphoblasts, which are immature lymphocytes. CBC will show very high WBC count (>50,000 cells/mm3). Girls have slightly higher chance of cure compared with boys. African American and Hispanic children tend to have a lower cure rate compared with children from other races.


Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)


Fast-growing cancer of the bone morrow that affects immature or precursor blood cells, such as myeloblasts (WBCs), monoblasts (macrophages, monocytes), erythroblasts (RBCs), and megakaryoblasts (platelets). Children with Down syndrome who have AML tend to have better cure rates, especially if the child is younger than age 4 years.


Reye’s Syndrome


History of febrile viral illness (chickenpox, influenza) and aspirin or salicylate intake (Pepto-Bismol, etc.) in a child. Abrupt onset with quick progression. Death can occur within a few hours to a few days. Mortality rate of up to 52%. Although most cases are in children, disease has been seen in teenagers and adults. This disease is now rare.


418Five Stages of Progression


Image  Stage 1: Severe vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, stupor, elevated ALT and AST


Image  Stage 2: Personality changes, irritability, aggressive behavior, hyperactive reflexes


Image  Stages 3 to 5: Confusion, delirium, cerebral edema, coma, liver damage, seizures, death


Theoretical risk of Reye’s syndrome after varicella immunization; avoid using aspirin before, during, and after immunization.


Down Syndrome: Atlantoaxial Instability


Up to 17% of Down syndrome patients have atlantoaxial instability (increased distance between the C1 and C2 joints). Medical clearance is necessary for sports participation. All children/adolescents (or older) with Down syndrome who want to participate in sports need cervical spine x-rays (including lateral view). Patients with atlantoaxial instability are restricted from playing contact sports (i.e., basketball, tackle football, soccer, etc.) and other high-risk activities (i.e., trampoline jumping). Persons with Down syndrome without evidence of atlantoaxial instability may participate in low-impact sports and sports not requiring extreme balance. For more information about medical conditions and athletic participation, see Table 22.1.


Absence Seizures


Brief episodes during which child stares and suddenly stops whatever he or she is doing. If in school, teacher may tell parent that child is daydreaming and inattentive. A common type of pediatric seizure. Also called petit mal seizure. Refer to pediatric neurologist.


Still’s Murmur


A benign systolic murmur that is described as having a vibratory or musical quality. Becomes louder in supine position or with fever. Minimal radiation. Grade I or II intensity. Most common in school-age children. Usually resolves by adolescence.


U.S. Health Statistics: School-Age Children


Top Causes of Death


Age 1 to 24 Years (Toddlers to Young Adults)


Image  Accidents or unintentional injuries


Table 22.1 Medical Conditions and Sports Participation










































Condition


Rationale


Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy


Sudden cardiac death


Atlantoaxial instability (Down syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)


Instability between C1 and C2


Marfan syndrome with aortic aneurysm


Aortic aneurysm risk: Lens eyes displacement, joint hypermobility


Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vascular form)


Cerebral or cervical artery aneurysm, spondylolisthesis, joint hypermobility


Acute rheumatic fever with carditis


Worsens condition, heart inflamed


Mitral valve prolapse, especially if significant mitral valve pathology


Sudden cardiac death


Fever


Heat stroke


Infectious diarrhea


Contagious


Pink eye


Contagious






Note: Some are approved to play low-contact or noncontact sports. List is not all inclusive.


Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (2008).


419Age 5 to 14 Years


Image  Accidents or unintentional injuries


Image  Cancers


Image  Developmental and genetic conditions






IMMUNIZATIONS






Preschool (Ages 4 to 6 Years)


Image  Administer vaccines: Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); varicella, inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV); and diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP)


Image  If history of chickenpox and documented on chart by health provider, does not need varicella.


Image  If child is 7 years or older, give Tdap instead of DTaP.


Middle School (Ages 11 to 12 years; Table 22.2)


Image  Tdap booster


Image  Meningococcal conjugate vaccine/Menactra (MCV4)


Image  Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine/Gardasil


 

Jul 14, 2019 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Pediatrics Review: School-Age Children (Including Preschool)

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access