Mucosal involvement (incl tracheal & gastrointestinal)
| Decisions about tracheostomy should involve family & consider medical condition of infant. | Poor prognosis & severe pain warrants discussion w/family & hospital ethics committee to determine type of intervention & comfort care to provide. 1 |
Consult w/dietitian or nutritionist if there is significant mucosal blistering in mouth preventing adequate oral intake. Consider placement of gastrostomy. Evaluate & treat protein-losing enteropathy.
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Skin
| Minimize new blister formation by:
Teaching caretakers proper handling of infants & children to protect skin from shearing forces; Wrapping & padding extremities; Use of soft & properly fitted clothing & footwear.
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New blisters should be lanced & drained to prevent further spread from fluid pressure. In most cases, dressings for blisters involve three layers: 2
A primary nonadherent contact layer that does not strip top layers of epidermis. Tolerance to different primary layers varies. Primary layers include: dressings impregnated w/emollient (e.g., petrolatum, topical antiseptic); nonstick products (e.g., Telfa®, N-Terface®); silicone-based products w/o adhesive (e.g., Mepitel®, Mepilex®); additional topical antibiotic or antiseptic (e.g., bacitracin, mupirocin, silver, honey). A secondary layer that provides stability for primary layer & adds padding to allow more activity, such as rolls of gauze (e.g., Kerlix®, Conform®) A tertiary layer that usually has some elastic properties & ensures integrity of dressing (e.g., Coban® or elasticized tube gauze of varying diameters such as BandNet® or Tubifast®).
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Treatment of wound infection using antibiotics & antiseptics Appropriate footwear & physical therapy are essential to preserve ambulation in children w/delays or difficulty walking due to blistering &/or hyperkeratosis.
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Gastrointestinal
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Renal & ureteral anomalies
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Fluid/electrolyte/
nutritional deficiencies
| Fluid replacement as needed Calcium & vitamin D supplementation to prevent osteopenia Zinc supplementation for wound healing 3 Supplementation of carnitine, selenium, vitamin A as indicated based on laboratory studies Oral or intravenous iron infusions & red blood cell transfusions as needed for chronic anemia
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Ocular symptoms
| Treatment of corneal abrasions per ophthalmologist | |
Social/Family
| Psychosocial support, incl social services & psychological counseling 4 Palliative care consultation 5
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