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Review
. 2023 Nov;118(8):646-655.
doi: 10.1007/s00063-023-01031-w. Epub 2023 Jul 19.

[Pediatric infectious emergencies-from febrile seizure to purpura fulminans]

[Article in German]
Affiliations
Review

[Pediatric infectious emergencies-from febrile seizure to purpura fulminans]

[Article in German]
Louise-Caroline Büttner et al. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Febrile seizures, which are relatively common in young children, are often triggered by an infection and resolve quickly. Prompt presentation to a pediatric department is mandatory after any first seizure and every time for children ≤ 12 months. Central nervous system (CNS) diseases in childhood are able to cause seizures or other neurological disorders. Even the slightest suspicion of a seizure with CNS involvement must be promptly treated. In case of doubt, both an antiviral and an antibacterial treatment are started in parallel, which can be stopped after detecting the pathogen. Lumbar puncture is strictly indicated unless there are contraindications. Meningococcal sepsis is a severe clinical feature comprising high fever, chills and disorders of consciousness. The first skin symptoms are petechiae as a red flag sign. With progression, potentially lethal purpura fulminans may develop. Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is a severe complication of acute bacterial meningitis. Lethality rate is 35%. The pediatric assessment triangle and the ABCDE algorithm help to identify critically ill children in a standardized, structured, and rapid manner.

Pädiatrische Notfälle weisen eines oder mehrere der folgenden Leitsymptome auf: Bewusstseinsstörung, Krampfanfall, Schock, Trauma und Atemnot. Bewusstseinsstörungen und Krampfanfälle sind sehr häufig Symptome eines Infektionsgeschehens. Infektionen können innerhalb weniger Stunden zu einem septischen Schock mit Todesfolge führen. Eine kalkulierte Antibiotikatherapie darf auf keinen Fall verzögert werden. Die Diagnostik zur Erregersicherstellung ist essenziell, muss aber zügig erfolgen und weicht, z. B. bei frustranen Punktionen zur Liquorgewinnung, der Therapie. Grundsätzlich gilt es, ein kritisch krankes Kind schnell zu detektieren und es möglichst rasch zu stabilisieren. Auch für Kindernotfälle wurden Diagnose- bzw. Therapiealgorithmen sowie standardisierte Vorgehensweisen entwickelt. Das pädiatrische Diagnosedreieck und der insbesondere in der präklinischen Notfallmedizin bekannte ABCDE-Algorithmus helfen, kritisch kranke Kinder standardisiert, strukturiert und zügig zu identifizieren.

Keywords: Child; Encephalitis; Meningitis; Sepsis; Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome.

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References

Literatur

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