West syndrome is characterized by a specific type of seizure ( infantile spasms) and developmental regression.
The gold standard method of diagnosing infantile spasms is to capture them on video-EEG to confirm the ictal correlate of the seizure.
Pediatrics
Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA) Score
The SOFA score at admission is useful for predicting outcomes in the Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) and is more accurate than SIRS for definition of paediatric sepsis.
Diagnostic Criteria for Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder caused by mutations in the gene for the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which encodes an ion channel protein, with more than 2000 mutations identified to date. A diagnosis of CF initially relied on phenotype, with clinical recognition of characteristic signs and symptoms.
The Apgar Score
The Apgar score provides an accepted and convenient method for reporting the status of the newborn infant immediately after birth and the response to resuscitation if needed.
Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (RP)
Retinopathy of prematurity is a vision-threatening disease associated with abnormal retinal vascular development that occurs only in premature infants.
Phototherapy and Exchange Transfusion in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinaemia
In unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, the ultimate goal is the prevention of kernicterus and its potentially devastating effects.
Phototherapy represented an important advance in the treatment of jaundice, enabling the effective and relatively rapid reduction of high bilirubin levels and facilitating the prevention of kernicterus.
Exchange transfusion is the only alternative to phototherapy for controlling hyperbilirubinaemia.
Rochester Criteria for Identifying Febrile Infants at Low Risk for Serious Bacterial Infection
The Rochester criteria were developed to identify febrile infants aged 60 days or younger at low-risk of bacterial infection and do not include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing.
Criteria for Chronic Respiratory Failure in Infants and Children
Criteria for Chronic Respiratory Failure due to Cardiopulmonary Disorders in Infants and Children
Clinical criteria
- Decreased inspiratory breath sounds
- Increased retractions, use of accessory muscles
- Cyanosis breathing room air
- Decreased level of normal activity/function
- Poor weight gain (mass) (IMPORTANT)
Diagnostic Criteria for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is based on clinical signs and symptoms consistent with the disease and objective evidence of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction.
One or more typical phenotypic features of CF:
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Chronic sinopulmonary disease
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Characteristic gastrointestinal and nutritional abnormalities
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Salt loss syndromes
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Obstructive azoospermia
or
Unexplained Fever in Young Children
Clinical and laboratory “low risk” criteria for children younger than 3 months with fever and no focus of infection
Clinical criteria
- Born at term (gestational age >/= 37 weeks)with uncomplicated nursery stay
- Previously healthy infants
- Notoxic manifestations
- No focal bacterial infection (except otitis media)