Pediatric Hemoptysis Overview

Coughing up blood or having blood in the sputum, originating from the lungs.

The process of blood circulation in the lungs is done by two systems: the pulmonary arterial system and the bronchial circulatory system.

The pulmonary arterial system operates at low pressure.

The bronchial circulatory system operates at high pressure.

Hemoptysis can happen when either the pulmonary arterial or bronchial circulatory system is damaged.

Hemoptysis that involves a large volume of blood, often associated with damage to the high-pressure bronchial system.

Massive hemoptysis in adults is defined as more than 8 mL/kg of blood expelled over 24 hours.

Children younger than 6 years rarely experience hemoptysis because they tend to swallow their sputum.

When a child presents with blood expectoration, it's crucial to identify the source of the bleeding, which could be from the lungs, upper airway, or gastrointestinal system.

Hemoptysis usually appears as bright red frothy blood with an alkaline pH.

Blood vomited from the gastrointestinal tract.

Blood coughed up from the lungs often has a bright red, pink, or frothy appearance due to its mixing with air.

Blood vomited from the stomach is often dark red, brown, or like coffee grounds due to its exposure to digestive juices.

Hemoptysis is often associated with coughing or gurgling sounds due to the blood coming from the lungs.

Hematemesis is often associated with nausea and vomiting due to the blood coming from the stomach or intestines.

Hemoptysis is often linked to a history of lung disease, recent infection, or cold symptoms.

Hematemesis is often linked to a history of gastrointestinal or hepatic disease.

Asking about the timing, amount, and frequency of the blood helps understand the severity and nature of the bleeding.

Inquiring about fever, recent infections, choking episodes, weight loss, shortness of breath, changes in skin color, pain, trauma, medication history, and travel helps pinpoint the cause.

Sounds heard through a stethoscope during auscultation, indicating abnormal lung conditions. Localized wheezing suggests a foreign object, pleural rubs point to pneumonia, bruits/thrills indicate an arteriovenous malformation, and heart murmurs might suggest a cardiac issue.

A complete assessment of the patient's overall health, including measurements like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature.

Physical characteristics and appearance of the individual.

A visible sign of distress or discomfort experienced by the patient.

A type of injury caused by a forceful impact or collision, often leaving visible marks.

A medical assessment involving feeling the chest area for any abnormal variations, such as tenderness or growths.

Swollen lymph nodes, often a sign of infection or inflammation.

A medical technique used to assess the lung's condition by feeling vibrations in the chest during speech.

A medical technique to assess lung health by tapping on the chest and listening to the sounds produced.

A medical term used to describe a dense, solid area in the lung, often a sign of infection or inflammation.

A medical term for a condition where the lung collapses or partially deflates.