acutely ill child - CNS Flashcards
what is encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
most common cause of encephalitis
HSV
investigation of encephalitis
lumbar puncture and imaging
management of encephalitis
aciclovir
most common bacterial cause of meningitis in neonates
group B strep
2 causes of bacterial meningitis in adults and children
strep pneumo and neisseria meningitidis
name 3 viral causes of meningitis
HSV
enterovirus
varicella zoster
clinical sign of meningococcal septicaemia
non-blanching rash
symptoms of meningitis
stiff neck, photophobia, fever, headache
investigation for meningitis
lumbar puncture
management of bacterial meningitis < 3 months
cefotaxime + amoxicillin
management of bacterial meningitis >3 months
ceftriaxone
what is a febrile seizure
happens in children with a high fever
who gets febrile siezures
6 months - 5 years
management of febrile seizure
control fever with paracetamol + ibuprofen
what is the most common cause of syncope in children
vasovagal episode
name some causes of a vasovagal episode
prolonged standing, emotional stress, pain, the sight of blood
symptoms associated with fainting in a vagovasal episode
pallor, sweating, nausea
who usually gets breath holding attacks
6-18 months
what might cause a reflex anoxic seizure
minor bump to the head
pathophysiology of reflex anoxic seizures
vagus nerve sends a strong signal to the heart that causes it to stop beating, restarts within 30 seconds
what are epileptic seizures
transient episodes of abnormal activity in the brain
investigations for epileptic seizures
EEG, MRI brain
