From Confusion to Clarity: Small patients, fever and rash. How inflammation can rage beyond infection!
About this Grand Round
Fever and rash are among the most common presentations in children and are often initially attributed to viral or bacterial infections. However, beneath these common symptoms may lie serious, non-infectious inflammatory syndromes such as Kawasaki Disease (KD) and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), particularly in the post-COVID era. These conditions can progress rapidly, with a significant risk of cardiac and systemic complications if not recognised and treated early.
This topic will explore how clinicians can recognise unusual presentations, understand the red flag signs that point beyond infection, and implement timely investigations and treatment. It highlights the importance of early diagnosis and systems-based approaches to improve outcomes for children with serious inflammatory illnesses.
Where Does this Course fit in?
Paediatric Emergency and Critical Care, Infectious diseases, Post-COVID practice evolution (emerging diseases, post-COVID sequelae), systems-based practice and quality of care.
Learning Outcomes
The May 2025 edition of the Duchess Grand Round is expected to help delegates:
- Identify common and uncommon causes of fever and rash in children, with an emphasis on distinguishing between infectious and inflammatory etiologies.
- Recognize key clinical features and red flags suggestive of serious inflammatory syndromes such as Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
- Outline the initial diagnostic workup and management strategies for children presenting with suspected inflammatory syndromes.
- Discuss the importance of early recognition, timely referral, and multidisciplinary coordination** in preventing complications such as cardiac involvement.
Who Should Attend?
The programme is suitable for the continuing medical education of Clinicians (Medical Officers and Consultants, especially Family Physicians and ER doctors), Nurses, Allied staff, resident doctors, medical students, and practitioners in the Quality Assurance (QA) department.
Speakers
Dr Tosan Esoko (Medical Officer) and Dr Somtochukwu Akunne (Consultant Specialist in Paediatrics).