CCP 347 Neurological Emergencies Flashcards
AEIOUTIPSO acronym for differentiation of altered mental status in Peds
A - Alcohol E - Encephalitis / meningitis I - Insulin O - Overdose U - Uremia / metabolic encephalopathy T - Trauma / tumour I - Intracranial hemorrhage / infarction P - Psychiatric S - Seizure O - Other
common causes of altered mental status in Infants
Meningitis seizures CNS trauma metabolic abnormalities dehydration hypo / hyperthermia intussusception
common causes of altered mental status in adolescents
Alcohol/recreational drug overdose
trauma
psychiatric
causes of status epilepticus in neonates
Congenital CNS infection CNS malformation Perinatal asphyxia Intracranial haemorrhage Drug withdrawal Neonatally acquired infection : meningitis, sepsis Metabolic - Hypoglycemia - Inborn error of metabolism - Hypo Ca/Mg/Na Idiopathic
causes of status epilepticus in infants/older child
Febrile convulsion (6 months - 6 years) CNS infection Chronic encephalopathy / seizure disorder Changes in anticonvulsant drug levels Trauma - accidental & NAI Metabolic - Hypoglycaemia / Na+ / Ca+ Poisoning - accidental or otherwise Associated with renal or liver disease SOL : tumour / AVM Idiopathic ( * 50% * )
causes of status epilepticus in older child/adolescent
Epilepsy / inadequate drug levels / other trigger
CNS infection
Toxins (Accidental ingestions)
Toxins (Intentional ingestions): prescription & “substance”
SOL : tumour / AVM
Trauma
Cerebral degenerative disease / neurocutaneous
Idiopathic
common causative organisms for meningitis in neonates
Group B Strep
Gram negatives
Staph epidermadis
Listeria monocytogenes
common causative organisms for meningitis in Infants and children older than 1 month
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neisseria meningitidis
Antibiotic therapy for Meningitis in neonates
Cefotaxime and Ampicillin ( and Acyclovir)
Antibiotic therapy for Meningitis in Older infants and children
Cefotaxime, Vancomycin (and Acyclovir)
Most common viruses responsible for Acute Viral Encephalitis
Herpes simplex Mumps Measles Varicella-zoster Influenza Enterovirus
MAP target for ICP management in Peds
Upper limit of normal range for that age category
define seizure
a paroxysmal event characterized by temporary involuntary changes in the patient caused by abnormal and excessive activity of a group of cortical neurons.
sub types of generalized seizures
Tonic-clonic Absence Myoclonic Clonic Tonic Atonic
sub types of focal seizures
Simple Partial (normal mental status) Complex Partial (altered mental status)
seizure mimics in neonates
Jitteriness Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus Nonepileptic apnea Opisthotonos (hyperextension, back arching, spasticity – either physiologic or pathologic in cases of meningitis, tetanus) Normal movement
seizure mimics in infants and children
Syncope BRUE Breath-holding spells Migraine with aura (vomiting, motor deficits, altered LOC) Sydenham’s chorea Various sleep disorders – narcolepsy, cataplexy Tics Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures Panic attacks
priority care goals in convulsive status epilepticus (CSE)
- Maintenance of adequate airway, breathing and circulation (ABCs).
- Termination of the seizure and prevention of recurrence.
- Diagnosis and initial therapy of life-threatening causes of CSE (e.g., hypoglycemia, meningitis and cerebral space-occupying lesions).
- Arrangement of appropriate referral for ongoing care or transport to a secondary or tertiary care centre.
- Management of refractory status epilepticus (RSE).
describe non-convulsive status epilepticus
- altered mental status.
- Patients may demonstrate confusion, unresponsiveness, abnormal motor movements, twitches, lip smacking, or automatisms.
- confirmed on EEG
The number one cause of status epilepticus in peds
febrile illness.
What is the definition of status epilepticus?
status epilepticus is typically defined as:
- 5 minutes or more of continuous seizure activity (clinical or electroencephalographic)
- Recurrent seizure activity without return to baseline between seizures.
1st/2nd/3rd line agents for peds status epilepticus
1st line: Benzos
2nd line: Fosphenytoin/Phenytoin/phenobarbital/Keppra
If refractory to a first line agent and a second line agent = you have refractory status epilepticus; consider these agents (in consultation with PICU):
Phenobarbital Pentobarbital Midazolam infusion (post-intubation) Levetiracetam Propofol Ketamine Full laboratory investigations for metabolic abnormalities Treatment of hyperthermia