A big welcome to our nursing / nurse practitioner colleagues at todays rounds. Recent attendance at m&m’s and rounds has been increasing significantly, and a larger venue may soon be required! Just a reminder that ALL (Students, Residents, Physicians, Nurses, NPs, etc) are invited to these CPD (continuous professional development) events.
Dr Chris Vaillancourt presented the recent update in Food Allergies
We were remind that we are frequently faced with patients and their parents requiring advice on the hot topic of food allergies and especially ‘prevention’ of food allergies
Notes from rounds:
If one parent with a food allergy the child has 30% chance of developing Atopy (atopic dermatitis, childhood Asthma, food allergy, allergic rhinitis) in that order – allergic march – developed over childhood in this order
If two parents with food allergy = child risk = 70%
Allergen exposure in early infancy is good if its via the gut, bad if its via the skin (especially if atopic via atopic skin rash)
Due to activation of T-Helper Cells – TH1 vs TH2 = less allergies if TH1 activated via gut than TH2 vis skin
Current Strategies – debunked
Maternal hypoallergenic food eating – false
No cat in house – false – in fact a cat in the house with new infant may be protective
Mechanism
Most kids are getting sensitised via ‘broken skin’ in first year life
Via T-Helper 2 system
Getting exposed via gut stims TH1 system – reduced risk of allergy
Window of opportunity
For kids at risk
4-6 months window for oral sensitisation – may reduce risk of later food allergy
Other Recommendations
No evidence for using soy milk to prevent food allergy
Breast feed until 4-6months then feed them what you want
Wait fro LEAP study – big RCT looking at food allergies and due to present results in next 2 months
Dr Peter Ross presented on Ebola. An extremely stimulating review of the current situation and state of preparedness of own own system. Much discussion was had both during and after the presentation.
It was noted that there is a Provincial plan for managing patient with suspected Ebola. This can be accessed via the Horizon Intranet (Skyline Homepage) This is updated regularly. SJRHEM has printed copies of the plan in accessible areas of the department. These should be accessed and read by all. We have already completed an in-situ simulation for a ‘potential’ ebola case this month. The report for this can be accessed in the Simulation Files – InSitu Sessions – Oct 3rd.
PPE Training is ongoing
Dr Howlett will be posting an update to this website in the next week
Video: here
Full presentation here :
Dr David Lewis presented on limping kids
Take home pearls:
- A limping/NWB child that can crawl is likely to have pathology below the knee
- Examine least likely source of symptoms first.
- Flex, Adduct and Int Rot hip most likely manoeuvre to elicit pain in hip pathology
- Children >8yrs – X-ray hip first
- If fever (>38°) or > 24hrs then bloods (incl CRP)
- CRP < 12 is very reassuring
- Positive ultrasound is most likely to be irritable hip
- Negative ultrasound – X-ray leg
Full presentation here:
