Pediatric Respiratory, GI, GU, Endocrine, Hematology & Oncology – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major pediatric respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, hematologic, and oncologic disorders discussed in the lecture.

Obligate Nose Breather

Infant who breathes primarily through the nose; increases risk of airway obstruction.

Retractions

Visible sinking of soft tissues around the ribs during inspiration, indicating respiratory distress.

Stridor

High-pitched inspiratory or expiratory sound from upper airway obstruction.

Rales (Crackles)

Popping sounds heard over fluid-filled alveoli in the lower airway.

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Viral illness causing nasal congestion, cough, sore throat; treated with comfort measures, not antibiotics.

Acute Otitis Media

Middle-ear infection presenting with ear tugging, fever; managed with analgesics and, if bacterial, antibiotics.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of paranasal sinuses; >4–6 weeks is chronic; requires antibiotics and comfort care.

Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)

Parainfluenza viral infection causing barky cough, stridor; treated with cool mist and dexamethasone.

Acute Spasmodic Croup

Allergy-related nighttime croup with sudden onset, relieved by steam; may need racemic epinephrine.

Bacterial Epiglottitis

Hib-linked airway emergency with drooling, no cough, frog-like croak; never visualize throat; give IV antibiotics and airway support.

Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation with expiratory wheeze; managed with bronchodilators, steroids, and trigger avoidance.

Status Asthmaticus

Life-threatening asthma exacerbation unresponsive to initial treatment; needs continuous nebulization and airway management.

Bronchiolitis

RSV-led lower airway infection in <2 yrs causing wheeze; treated with hydration and suctioning.

Cystic Fibrosis

Autosomal-recessive disease causing thick mucus, pancreatic insufficiency; diagnosed by sweat chloride, treated with CPT and high-calorie diet.

Cleft Lip

Congenital split of upper lip repaired at 2–3 months; may impair feeding and speech.

Cleft Palate

Midline opening of palate repaired at 6–12 months; requires special nipples and long-term speech follow-up.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF)

Abnormal connection between trachea and esophagus producing choking, coughing, cyanosis; surgical emergency.

Omphalocele

Abdominal organs herniate into sac at umbilicus; keep covered, prevent heat and fluid loss.

Gastroschisis

Bowel herniation without sac through abdominal wall; cover with sterile bag, protect perfusion.

Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

Thickened pylorus causing projectile vomiting, olive-shaped mass; treated with pyloromyotomy.

Intussusception

Telescoping bowel causing currant-jelly stool and sausage mass; treated with enema or surgery.

Malrotation with Volvulus

Twisted intestine causing bilious emesis; requires emergency surgery to prevent necrosis.

Appendicitis

Obstructed appendix causing RLQ pain at McBurney point; rupture causes peritonitis.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Backflow of gastric contents; infants exhibit arching; managed with thickened feeds or Nissen fundoplication.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Gastric/duodenal mucosal erosion often linked to H. pylori; treated with PPIs and antibiotics.

Hirschsprung Disease

Aganglionic colon segment causing obstruction and distention; definitive diagnosis via rectal biopsy.

Celiac Disease

Autoimmune intolerance to gluten damaging villi, causing steatorrhea; lifelong gluten-free diet.

Biliary Atresia

Obstructed bile ducts leading to jaundice and liver failure; early surgery or transplant needed.

Bladder Exstrophy

Exposed bladder on abdominal wall; keep moist and surgically reconstruct.

Hypospadias

Urethral opening on ventral penis; repaired surgically after 1 yr; no circumcision beforehand.

Epispadias

Urethral opening on dorsal penis; similar surgical correction to hypospadias.

Testicular Torsion

Twisted spermatic cord causing sudden scrotal pain; surgical emergency to preserve testis.

Hydronephrosis

Dilation of renal pelvis/calices due to obstruction or VUR; monitor BP and urine output.

Obstructive Uropathy

Any urinary tract blockage causing hydronephrosis; corrected surgically.

Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)

Backward urine flow from bladder to ureters; graded I–V; long-term low-dose antibiotics.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

E. coli infection more common in girls; treated with antibiotics and hydration.

Enuresis

Involuntary urination after toilet training age; managed with fluid timing and voiding schedule.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema, hyperlipidemia; treated with corticosteroids and diuretics.

Acute Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis (APSGN)

Immune renal injury after Strep A infection causing hematuria and HTN; manage fluids and BP.

Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Triad of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, AKI often from E. coli; leads to oliguria and HTN.

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Hypopituitarism causing short stature; treated with nightly somatropin injections.

Precocious Puberty

Sexual development before age 8 (girls) or 9 (boys); slowed with GnRH analogs.

Delayed Puberty

Absence of sexual traits by 12–14 yrs; may require testosterone or estrogen therapy.

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

ADH deficiency causing polyuria and polydipsia; treated with intranasal DDAVP.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)

Excess ADH causing water retention and hyponatremia; managed by fluid restriction.

Congenital Hypothyroidism

Thyroid hormone deficiency detected on newborn screen; requires lifelong levothyroxine.

Acquired Hypothyroidism

Often autoimmune (Hashimoto) thyroid failure causing weight gain and fatigue; replace hormone.

Hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease)

Excess thyroid hormone with weight loss and tachycardia; treat with antithyroid drugs; watch for thyroid storm.

Addison Disease

Adrenal insufficiency leading to hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and hyperpigmentation; needs steroid replacement.

Cushing Syndrome

Excess cortisol causing moon face, truncal obesity, hypertension; may need adrenal surgery.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

21-hydroxylase defect causing cortisol deficiency and androgen excess; managed with steroids and crisis prevention.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Autoimmune beta-cell destruction; requires insulin, sick-day ketone checks, DKA vigilance.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin resistance; initial management with diet/exercise and metformin.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Hyperglycemic crisis with ketones, Kussmaul respirations, fruity breath; needs IV insulin and fluids.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Low hemoglobin from inadequate iron; presents with fatigue and PICA; treat with ferrous sulfate.

Lead Poisoning

Toxic lead levels causing microcytic anemia and neuro deficits; chelation therapy if severe.

Sickle Cell Disease

HbS polymerization leading to vaso-occlusive pain and splenic dysfunction; managed with hydroxyurea and pain control.

Vaso-occlusive Crisis

Painful episode of sickle cell vessel blockage; treat with oxygen, fluids, and opioids.

Thalassemia Major (Cooley Anemia)

Severe beta-globin defect causing transfusion-dependent anemia and iron overload; curable with stem-cell transplant.

Von Willebrand Disease

Deficient vWF causing mucosal bleeding; treat with DDAVP and factor VIII.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Autoimmune platelet destruction causing petechiae; treat with IVIG or steroids when platelets <10K.

Hemophilia A

X-linked Factor VIII deficiency leading to prolonged bleeding; managed with factor replacement.

Leukemia (ALL)

Most common childhood cancer of immature lymphocytes; treated with multi-phase chemotherapy.

Lymphoma

Cancer of lymph tissue; Hodgkin shows Reed-Sternberg cells, treated with chemo/radiation.

Brain Tumor

Neoplasm causing headaches, vision changes, and increased ICP; therapy includes surgery, chemo, and radiation.

Neuroblastoma

Embryonal tumor of sympathetic chain, often adrenal; presents as abdominal mass or periorbital ecchymosis.

Wilms Tumor

Renal malignancy in toddlers; avoid palpation before nephrectomy to prevent rupture.

Osteosarcoma

Malignant bone tumor in long bones during growth spurt; managed with chemo and limb-sparing surgery.

Retinoblastoma

Retinal cancer showing leukocoria; treated with cryotherapy, laser, or enucleation.

Hydroxyurea

Medication increasing fetal hemoglobin, reducing sickle cell crises.

Intensive Intrathecal Chemotherapy

Delivery of chemo into CSF to prevent CNS leukemia relapse.

Stem Cell Transplant

Infusion of healthy hematopoietic cells to replace diseased marrow in refractory cancers.

Neutropenic Precautions

Protective measures for immunocompromised patients including no fresh plants and strict hand hygiene.

Radiation Skin Care

Use mild soap, avoid removing site markings, apply moisturizer, and protect irradiated skin.

High-Calorie, High-Protein Diet

Nutritional strategy to combat cancer-related weight loss and promote healing.