Shock

Overview Shock is defined as a state of global cellular and tissue hypoxia due to either reduced oxygen delivery, increased oxygen consumption, inadequate oxygen utilization, or a combination of these processes. Shock is almost always caused by low blood pressure…

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBAs)

Overview NMBAs facilitate intubation, mechanical ventilation, and surgical relaxation. Categories of NMBAs Category Examples Depolarizing Succinylcholine Non-depolarizing Atracurium, Cisatracurium, Rocuronium, Vecuronium Agent ED 95 (mg/kg) Intubating Dose (mg/kg) Onset (min Duration to 25% recovery (min) Intra-op maintenance Metabolism and Excretion…

Local Anaesthetic Agents

Local Anaesthetics Local anesthetics provide analgesia and anaesthesia by disrupting the conduction of impulses along nerve fibers. They block voltage-gated Na+, thus inhibiting the influx of sodium and preventing an action potential from being reached. They are weak bases in…

Intravenous Anaesthetic Agents

Overview IV induction agents target GABA receptors (most common), NMDA receptors, and alpha-2 receptors to cause anaesthesia. Propofol and Barbiturates decrease the rate of dissociation of GABA from its receptors increasing the duration of chloride channel opening. Benzodiazepines facilitate the…

Meningitis in Children

Meningitis in Children Meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the meninges. Definition of terms Term Definition Acute bacterial meningitis Rapid onset of symptoms. Can be identified using routine laboratory techniques. Chronic meningitis Ongoing symptoms of meningitis for ≥ 4 weeks…

Malaria in Children

Overview Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in children < 5yo in Kenya. Plasmodium falciparum is the MCC of malaria. A parasitological dx of malaria…

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Neonatal Death or Cot Death) Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death or neonatal death, is a sudden, unexplained death of a seemingly healthy infant < 1-year-old. It occurs during sleeping or when…

Pneumonia in Children

Pneumonia is an acute lower respiratory tract infection of the lungs. It is characterised by fast breathing and chest indrawing in children. It is still the leading killer of children worldwide, 29% of pediatric deaths worldwide, 158 million cases per…

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is an infectious inflammation of the bronchioles. It is primarily a disease of the very young – 95% of cases occur in children < 2 years old. It is almost always viral in origin, most commonly caused by the…