Welcome to PICU Doc On Call, A Podcast Dedicated to Current and Aspiring Intensivists.

I'm Pradip Kamat and I'm Rahul Damania. We are coming to you from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Emory University School of Medicine.

Welcome to our episode of a three-year-old girl presenting with a cough and difficulty breathing

Here's the case presented by Rahul:

A previously healthy 3-year-old girl presented to the OSH for difficulty breathing. She had a two-day h/o of cough (worse at night) and congestion but no fever. She has no h/o of emesis, h/o recent travel, or exposure to some/toxins. Initially, she received steroids, albuterol, and O2 but due to continued worsening of breathing and hypoxia-She was transferred to our PICU for initiation of High Flow Nasal Cannula. She has no allergies and her immunizations are up to date. There is a strong family history of asthma and atopic dermatitis. The mother also noted that the patient has h/o of coughing episodes while playing outside with her siblings.

Initial Vitals: Temp 37.9, HR 100, BP 97/73, respiratory rate 49, SPO2 98% on 15LPM HFNC at 60% FIO2 , weight 17.5kg

On PE: The child is awake, playful. she is tachycardic with no murmur. She has subcostal, intercostal, supra-sternal retractions. There is bilateral symmetric chest expansion. The air entry is decreased with diffuse (B) wheeze. There is atopic dermatitis in the flexor areas of the elbows/knees. The rest of the physical examination was normal. No hepatosplenomegaly.

Viral panel: positive for HMP, SARS COV-2 negative

CXR: Atelectasis superimposed upon viral pneumonitis versus multifocal bronchopneumonia. No evidence of parapneumonic effusion or air leak.

CBC and BMP are normal.

To summarize key elements from this case, this 3-year-old girl has:

Cough and congestion
Increased WOB and difficulty breathing
Hypoxia
No fever or rash
No recent ingestions or exposure to tobacco smoke
All of which brings up a concern for a lower airway obstructive process most likely acute asthma

Let's transition into some history and physical exam components of this case?

Rahul, what are key history features in this child who presents with increased work of breathing?

Cough and congestion
Difficulty breathing
No h/o suggestive of atopic dermatitis
Increased WOB: retractions (subcostal, intercostal, suprasternal). Important to note there is no nasal flaring, head bobbing or grunting.
Decreased AE

Toddler with Cough and Difficulty Breathing

PICU Doc On Call