ABP Pediatric Hospital Medicine key terms

A viral lower respiratory infection of infants, most often caused by respiratory syncytial virus, producing wheezing, crackles, and increased work of breathing. Management is largely supportive with oxygen, hydration, and suctioning rather than routine bronchodilators or steroids.

A respiratory support device delivering heated, humidified oxygen at flows above the patient's inspiratory demand. It reduces work of breathing and provides modest positive pressure, commonly used for bronchiolitis and other hypoxemic respiratory distress in children.

A pause in breathing lasting at least 20 seconds, or shorter if accompanied by bradycardia, cyanosis, or desaturation, occurring in an infant under one year. It requires evaluation for causes including sepsis, seizures, and metabolic disease.

A sudden, brief episode in an infant under one year involving color change, breathing change, or altered responsiveness that resolves completely and lacks an explanation after history and examination. Risk stratification guides whether further testing or admission is warranted.

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with bilateral infiltrates and reduced oxygenation not fully explained by cardiac failure, occurring within a week of a known insult. Management emphasizes lung-protective ventilation and treating the underlying cause.

Support of breathing through a mask or interface delivering continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure without an endotracheal tube. It can avert intubation in conditions such as neuromuscular weakness, obstructive sleep apnea, or respiratory failure with intact airway protection.

A severe asthma exacerbation that does not respond to initial bronchodilator therapy and threatens respiratory failure. Treatment escalates through repeated or continuous albuterol, ipratropium, systemic corticosteroids, magnesium, and possibly noninvasive ventilation or intubation.

A written, individualized document giving a patient and family green, yellow, and red zone instructions for daily control, early worsening, and emergencies. It supports self-management and guides when to call the clinician or seek emergency care.

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. In children, recognition relies on age-specific vital signs, mental status, and perfusion, with prompt antibiotics and fluid resuscitation.

Sepsis with cardiovascular dysfunction, including hypotension or signs of poor perfusion such as delayed capillary refill, mottling, or altered mental status. It requires rapid antibiotics, careful fluid boluses, and vasoactive support when needed.

Rapid administration of isotonic crystalloid to restore circulating volume in shock or dehydration. In children, boluses are typically given in 10 to 20 mL/kg aliquots with reassessment after each to avoid fluid overload.

A deficit of total body water and electrolytes, often from gastroenteritis, assessed by weight change, mucous membranes, tears, skin turgor, and mental status. Rehydration may be oral, nasogastric, or intravenous depending on severity.

Administration of an oral or nasogastric glucose-electrolyte solution to correct mild to moderate dehydration. It is effective for most gastroenteritis and reduces the need for intravenous fluids and hospitalization.

A blood glucose concentration below the threshold used for the infant's age and risk status, which can cause jitteriness, lethargy, apnea, or seizures. Treatment is feeding or intravenous dextrose with monitoring to prevent recurrence.

Yellow discoloration from elevated bilirubin in a newborn, which may be physiologic or pathologic. Risk factors, age in hours, and bilirubin level determine whether phototherapy or further evaluation for hemolysis or cholestasis is needed.

Neurologic injury from bilirubin crossing the blood-brain barrier, ranging from lethargy and poor feeding to hypertonia, hearing loss, and choreoathetosis. Prevention depends on timely monitoring and treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemia.

An acute medium-vessel vasculitis of young children marked by fever lasting at least five days plus conjunctivitis, rash, mucosal changes, extremity changes, and cervical lymphadenopathy. It threatens coronary arteries and is treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin.

Kawasaki disease in a child with prolonged fever and fewer than the classic clinical criteria, often an infant. Diagnosis relies on supplemental laboratory and echocardiographic findings, and treatment should not be delayed.

Abnormal dilation of a coronary artery, the principal complication of Kawasaki disease and a risk for thrombosis or myocardial ischemia. Echocardiography is used for detection, and size determines antithrombotic therapy and follow-up.

A metabolic emergency of insulin deficiency with hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and acidosis, sometimes presenting as new-onset diabetes in children. Management requires careful fluid and insulin therapy with close monitoring for cerebral edema.

A rare but life-threatening complication of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis causing headache, bradycardia, hypertension, or declining consciousness. It demands immediate treatment with hypertonic saline or mannitol and airway support.

Continuous seizure activity or recurrent seizures without recovery lasting five minutes or longer. It is a medical emergency requiring prompt benzodiazepines, airway support, and escalation to second-line anticonvulsants.

A seizure associated with fever in a child typically between six months and five years, without central nervous system infection or prior afebrile seizures. Simple febrile seizures are brief and generalized and generally need no further workup.

Needle sampling of cerebrospinal fluid for cell counts, glucose, protein, and culture to diagnose meningitis or other central nervous system disease. Contraindications and timing relative to antibiotics and imaging must be considered.

Infection of the meninges by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis causing fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered mental status. Prompt empiric antibiotics and supportive care reduce mortality and neurologic sequelae.

Chronic lung disease of premature infants characterized by persistent oxygen or respiratory support needs at a defined postnatal age. It results from arrested lung development and injury and predisposes to reactive airway disease and readmission.

Inadequate weight gain or growth in a child, reflected by falling growth percentiles or weight below expected for age. Evaluation addresses caloric intake, absorption, increased metabolic demand, and psychosocial factors.

A deficiency or imbalance of energy, protein, or micronutrients that impairs growth and health. In hospitalized children it affects wound healing, immunity, and recovery, so nutrition screening and support are part of care.

Delivery of nutrients into the gastrointestinal tract by mouth or feeding tube. It is preferred over parenteral nutrition when the gut works, preserving mucosal integrity and reducing infection risk.

Intravenous provision of nutrients, including dextrose, amino acids, lipids, electrolytes, and vitamins, when the gut cannot be used. It requires monitoring for infection, cholestasis, and refeeding complications.

A dangerous shift of electrolytes, especially hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia, after reintroducing nutrition in a malnourished patient. It is prevented by starting calories cautiously and monitoring electrolytes closely.

Pneumonia developing in a patient after at least 48 hours of mechanical ventilation, often from microaspiration of colonized secretions. Prevention includes hand hygiene, oral care, and minimizing sedation and duration of ventilation.

A primary bloodstream infection in a patient with a central venous catheter in place, not explained by another source. Prevention bundles include insertion checklists, chlorhexidine antisepsis, and prompt removal of unnecessary lines.

A urinary tract infection arising in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter, often preventable by limiting catheter use and maintaining closed drainage. Diagnosis requires compatible signs and culture evidence.

An acute fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness caused by illness, medications, or the hospital environment. It is often missed in children and is managed by treating causes, orienting, and promoting sleep.

A cluster of autonomic, neurologic, and gastrointestinal symptoms after abrupt reduction of opioids or benzodiazepines in a physically dependent child. It is prevented by structured weaning and treated with carefully titrated agonists.

Systematic use of age-appropriate self-report or observational scales to measure pain in children. Reliable assessment guides analgesic dosing and reassessment, and it is essential in infants and nonverbal patients.

A rounding model in which the patient and family participate in discussion of the plan alongside the interprofessional team. It improves communication, shared decision-making, and discharge readiness.

A multidisciplinary process preparing a child and family for leaving the hospital, including medication reconciliation, follow-up, home equipment, and caregiver education. It reduces readmissions and identifies barriers to safe care at home.

A communication technique in which the clinician asks the family to restate information in their own words to confirm understanding. It identifies gaps in comprehension of diagnoses, medications, and home care instructions.