Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion
Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion
Conjunctivitis in Pediatrics
Abstract
Conjunctivitis is a common eye infection, especially in children under the age of five. It is a disorder that causes red, inflamed eyes. Conjunctivitis indicators might vary depending on the cause, but they typically include redness, itching, and discharge. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a variety of factors such as viruses, bacteria, allergies, and other disorders. Conjunctivitis might be a symptom of another health problem, such as an eye infection or sinus infection. This paper is about pediatric conjunctivitis. It discusses the signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis in pediatric, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic workout Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion.
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Introduction
Conjunctivitis, often known as pink eye, is a common ailment that causes redness and inflammation of the transparent tissue covering the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid (Sahdev et al.,2018). Although conjunctivitis is often a benign ailment that cures on its own, it can occasionally develop to more significant complications, such as vision loss. Conjunctivitis can be triggered whenever germs that naturally dwell in the nose and throat enter the eye. Bacteria can enter the eye via tears or mucous membranes, or they can be disseminated by contact with an infected person or object.
Conjunctivitis in children is most often caused by the common cold, but can also be triggered by other ailments such as chicken pox or measles (Honkila et al.,2018). Most cases of conjunctivitis resolve on their own within a few days to a week, while some children may experience more severe symptoms. I choose to discuss this topic because conjunctivitis in newborn are amongst the common cause of childhood blindness (Ogunfowora et al.,2020). Therefore, there is need to create awareness about its clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria and prevention strategies in order mitigate any complications that may transpire to our children. In the pediatric setting, the nurse practitioner (NP) can use conjunctivitis expertise to educate parents about the condition and how to manage it. They may also give advice on whether one should seek medical attention and whether over-the-counter drugs are appropriate (Penza et al.,2020). Furthermore, the NP can help with diagnosing and controlling any problems that may arise as a result of the disease.
Signs and symptoms
Conjunctivitis is a contagious eye infection that is common in school-aged children and generally caused by an infection and allergies. This ailment is often spread through spread from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus. This condition is observable in children if the child’s conjunctiva is red, the eye is watery, painful, or itchy, presence of yellow or green discharge that causes the lid to cling together after the child has been asleep, and swelling of the skin surrounding the eye (Watson et al.,2018). In extreme cases, symptoms may include impaired vision and difficulties wearing contact lenses.
While redness in the eye is a symptom of wide variety of conjunctivitis, the pediatric clinical presentation may vary based on age and the underlying cause. For example, in situations of viral conjunctivitis, the child may present with fever, sore throat, and red eyes, but in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis, the complaints may include discharge from the eye, sensitivity to light, and pain when both eyes are touched. Although bacterial or viral conjunctivitis might affect only one eye, allergic conjunctivitis affects both. Conjunctivitis can be mild and self-limited, but can sometimes lead to more serious complications, such as vision loss. It can seriously interfere with a child’s ability to learn and attend school or daycare. Its thus important that parent be encouraged to get their children vaccinated against conjunctivitis Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion.
Differential diagnoses
Differential diagnoses for conjunctivitis in pediatric patients include allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, and viral conjunctivitis. While they have some similarities, there are several important differences that distinguishes one from another. Viral conjunctivitis in particular is the most common type of conjunctivitis in children. This infection is distinguished by watery, mucus-like discharge from the eyes, red and swollen conjunctiva, pain, (Yeu et al.,2020), fever and sore throat and often last few day to a week.
Bacterial conjunctivitis on the other hand is the least common type of conjunctivitis in children. It involved infection by bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes or Haemophilus influenzae. This ailment is distinguishable by presence of pus in the conjunctival sac, which is often white or yellow in color. It is also characterized by increase tearing, redness and swelling of eyelid, and difficulty opening the eye. It may last for weeks.
Allergic conjunctivitis on the other hand typically presents with bilateral watery, itchy eyes. The child may also have a history of allergies, such as hay fever or eczema. Other symptoms that may be associated with allergic conjunctivitis include a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. In some cases, the child may also experience redness and swelling of the eyelids. Other possible differential diagnoses for pediatric conjunctivitis include uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and orbital cellulitis.
Diagnostic workup for conjunctivitis in pediatrics
A complete diagnostic workup for conjunctivitis in pediatrics should include a thorough history and physical examination, as well as laboratory testing and imaging, if indicated (Azari et al.,2020). The history should focus on the child’s symptoms, as well as any potential exposures or risk factors. Questions should be asked about the onset and progression of the symptoms, as well as the child’s eye contact and visual acuity.
Other information to consider includes whether there has been a change in the child’s appearance or behavior since the onset of symptoms, and whether there is any associated pain or redness. The physical examination should include a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, including inspection of the eyes for redness, discharge, and swelling Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion.
The presence of other symptoms such as fever or headache may suggest an underlying bacterial or viral infection (Azari & Arabi, 2020). In addition, the child should be screened for other underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or allergies. Laboratory testing may include a complete blood count (CBC), metabolic panel, and urinalysis to rule out any underlying infections. A throat culture may also be performed in cases of suspected bacterial infection.
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Health Promotion, Maintenance and Illness Prevention
There are many ways to prevent and treat conjunctivitis in pediatric patients. Health promotion activities such as good hand washing practices can help prevent the spread of infection. Regular cleaning of the eye region, for example, can also aid in the prevention of conjunctivitis. Illness prevention activities such as prompt treatment of any underlying respiratory infections can help reduce the risk of developing conjunctivitis. Treatment of conjunctivitis typically includes the use of antibiotics to treat any underlying infection and pain relief medication for the child (Azari & Arabi, 2020). In some cases, contact lenses may also be necessary. Regular follow-up visits to the doctor are important in monitoring the health of pediatric patients and ensuring that they receive the appropriate treatment for conjunctivitis.
References
Azari, A. A., & Arabi, A. (2020). Conjunctivitis: a systematic review. Journal of ophthalmic & vision research, 15(3), 372. https://doi.org/10.18502%2Fjovr.v15i3.7456
Djenderedjian, L., & Mostafavi, D. (2021). Ocular Inflammation. In Pediatric Ophthalmology in the Emergency Room (pp. 179-190). Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-49950-1_13#:~:text=DOI%3A%2010.1007/978%2D3%2D030%2D49950%2D1_13
Honkila, M., Renko, M., Ikäheimo, I., Pokka, T., Uhari, M., & Tapiainen, T. (2018). Aetiology of neonatal conjunctivitis evaluated in a population‐based setting. Acta Paediatrica, 107(5), 774-779. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.14227
Ogunfowora, O. B., Ajewole, J. O., & Ajibode, H. A. (2020). Conjunctival bacterial infection among hospitalized neonates. Annals of Health Research, 6(2), 230-238.
Penza, K. S., Murray, M. A., Myers, J. F., Maxson, J., Furst, J. W., & Pecina, J. L. (2020). Treating pediatric conjunctivitis without an exam: an evaluation of outcomes and antibiotic usage. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 26(1-2), 73-78. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1357633X18793031
Sahdev, A. K., Sethi, B., Singh, A., Sharma, N., & Purwar, S. (2018). Conjunctivitis: types, diagnosis and treatment under different therapies. Asian J Pharm Pharmacol, 4, 421-428 Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion
Watson, S., Cabrera-Aguas, M., & Khoo, P. (2018). Common eye infections. Australian prescriber, 41(3), 67. https://doi.org/10.18773%2Faustprescr.2018.016
Yeu, E., & Hauswirth, S. (2020). A review of the differential diagnosis of acute infectious conjunctivitis: implications for treatment and management. Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, NZ), 14, 805. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7075432/ Signs And Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis In Pediatric, Differential Diagnosis, And Diagnostic Workout Assignment Discussion