Chapter 6 Fever (and joint pain)

Case study: Mere Mere is an 11 year old girl brought to hospital after 4 days of fever. She has pain in her right knee that is preventing her from walking.

What are the stages in the management of Mere?

Stages in the management of a sick child (Ref. Chart 1, p. xxii) Triage Emergency treatment History and examination Laboratory investigations, if required Main diagnosis and other diagnoses Treatment Supportive care Monitoring Discharge planning Follow-up

Have you noticed any emergency (danger) or priority (important) signs? Temperature: 38.90C, pulse: 110/min, RR: 20/min; no cyanosis, CR 1 second, alert

Triage Emergency signs (Ref. p. 2, 6) Obstructed breathing Severe respiratory distress Central cyanosis Signs of shock Coma Convulsions Severe dehydration Priority signs (Ref. p. 6) Tiny baby Temperature Trauma Pallor Poisoning Pain (severe) Respiratory distress Restless, irritable Referral Malnutrition Oedema of both feet Burns

(Ref. p. xxii, Chart 1)

History and examination in a child with fever What are key questions to ask on history? (Ref. p. 150) What are key things to look for on examination?

History Mere was apparently well until 4 days ago when she developed a fever. She also had a painful left ankle for 2 days. Yesterday, she developed right knee pain with swelling and is now unable to walk. 2 weeks prior she had a sore throat that was treated by her aunty with a Fijian herbal remedy. She has had no rashes, no neck stiffness, no abdominal pain. She is not eating, but drinking OK. Past history: Mere had a similar episode of sore joints 1 year ago. Family history / social history: lives in a rural village with her large extended family.

Examination Assess signs of systemic illness Temp: 38.9ºC Pulse: 110/min RR: 20/min BP 115/65 mmHg Assess chest and heart Chest clear, systolic murmur loudest at the apex and radiating to the axilla. No thrill. Apex beat normally placed. Assess abdomen Soft to palpation, normal bowel sounds, no organomegaly Assess neurological state AVPU = A (alert), no neck stiffness, pupils equal and reactive Assess skin No rashes Assess nutritional state Height: 135 cm Weight: 30 kg Assess MSK Hot and swollen right knee that is very tender to touch (Ref. p.150, p.154)

History and examination in a child with fever What category of fever is Mere presenting with? (Ref. p.152) Fever with no localising signs (no rash) Fever with localising signs (no rash) Fever with rash (Fever lasting longer than 7 days) Fever plus arthritis

Differential diagnoses List possible causes of the illness Main diagnosis Secondary diagnoses (Tables 16, 17, 19 may be helpful) Differential diagnoses: Septic arthritis Rheumatic fever Dengue Viral arthritis (reactive) Other…

What investigations would you like to do?

Joint aspiration? If septic arthritis is suspected then a joint aspirate should be undertaken. What are the features of septic arthritis? ( Ref p. 186-187) Arthritis unaccompanied by other major features of rheumatic fever requires differential diagnosis

Investigations for acute rheumatic fever FBE ESR (CRP) ASOT ECG CXR Throat swab Echocardiogram

Investigations Full blood examination: Haemoglobin: 110g/l (115-140) Platelets: 450x109/l (150 – 400) WCC: 16.2x109/l (5.5 – 15.5) Neutrophils: 7.9x109/l (1.5 – 8.5) Lymphocytes: 4.0x109/l (2.0 – 8.0) Monocytes: 1.2x109/l (0.1 – 1.0)

Investigations (continued) Blood culture: sent, awaiting cultures ESR: sent, awaiting result ECG: normal CXR: normal ASOT: sent, awaiting result

Diagnosis Summary of findings: History: 11 yo girl with past history of joint pains presents with polyarthritis Exam: fever but non-toxic with right knee arthritis and a heart murmur Investigations : mild anaemia, mild leukocytosis, elevated ESR

Diagnosis Likely acute rheumatic fever

Stages in the management of a sick child (Ref. Chart 1, p. xxii) Triage Emergency treatment, if required History and examination Laboratory investigations, if required Differential diagnoses Main diagnosis Treatment Supportive care Monitoring Plan discharge Follow-up, if required

Treatment  Aspirin (Ref p. 357) Benzathine penicillin G (Ref p. 367)  Suspected acute rheumatic fever  Aspirin (Ref p. 357) Benzathine penicillin G (Ref p. 367)

Supportive Care Fever control Pain control Bed rest Nutrition

Monitoring Using a monitoring chart (Ref. p. 320, 413) Assess response to treatment (Ref .Chart 1 p.xxii; p. 319) Follow-up results ASOT 1600 BC negative ESR 88 mm/h

Discharge plan Mere responds quickly to the aspirin and her joint pain reduces significantly within 2 days; her fever also reduces She is able to walk adequately She is eating well after 2 days She has no problems with the medication She and her parents are educated about rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease and given printed information Aspirin is provided with a clear dosage plan Benzathine penicillin G already started A clear plan is made for follow-up visit

Follow-up Regular benzathine penicillin G every 28 days Register the patient on the PNG RHD Register Echocardiogram and paediatric review Reinforce education Advise Mere’s mother when to bring her back if unwell

Acute Rheumatic Fever

Diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever WHO Guidelines Major manifestations Polyarthritis Carditis Chorea Erythema marginatum Subcutaneous nodules Minor manifestations Polyarthralgia Fever, Elevated inflammatory markers Prolonged PR interval on ECG Evidence of antecedent Group A Streptococcus infection in the last 45 days Elevated or rising streptococcal antibody titre (ASOT) Positive throat swab

Diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever WHO Guidelines Primary episode of acute rheumatic fever Two major OR one major and two minor Evidence of Group A Streptococcal antecedent No History of RHD Other forms exist Recurrent episode with and without RHD Rheumatic chorea (chorea only) Insidious onset rheumatic carditis (carditis only) Chronic valve lesions of RHD

Summary Careful history taking, examination and the limited investigations pointed towards a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever However, other causes of fever and joint pain should be excluded or treated, e.g. Septic arthritis Acute rheumatic fever should be considered whenever a child presents with a history of joint pain. Acute rheumatic fever carries a risk of progression to rheumatic heart disease and therefore long term secondary prevention is essential.