L7: Pediatric neurology Flashcards
Cerebral palsy subtypes
Spastic (most common) → stiff and tight
Ataxic→ shaky, affects balance and sense of positioning
Dyskinetic→ involuntary movements
Mixed
Cerebral palsy is caused by
Hypoxia Trauma Premature birth Infection Toxins Structural abnormalities
Most kids sit by ____ and walk by ____
8 months
18 months
Cerebral palsy presentation
Motor impairment Not reaching milestones Excessive irritability Poor feeding, drooling Poor visual attention Difficult to hold, cuddle Retained primitive reflexes
Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR)
Primitive reflex retained in cerebral palsy
Moro reflex
Primitive reflex retained in cerebral palsy
startle on suddenly being released (normally gone at 4-6 mos)
Meds for cerebral palsy
anti-spasmodics
botulism toxin
In infants who die less than 1 year old
40% have congenital malformations of the CNS
Chiari Type I
Cerebellar tonsils displaced caudally below the foramen magnum +/- syringomyelia → fluid filled cyst within spinal cord
presents as a teen or adult
Chiari Type II
Cerebellar tonsils displaced caudally below the foramen magnum + myelomeningocele
Loss of abdominal reflex
Chiari type I
What causes neurological symptoms in chiari type I
presence of a syringomeylia
Chiari type II signs/symptoms
Hydrocephalus
Dysphagia
Upper extremity weakness
Apneic spells and aspiration
Spina bifida oculta
incomplete closure of the spinal canal, lower back most common
Spina bifida: meningocele
outpouching of the spinal fluid + meninges through vertebral cleft → mild problems with sac protrusion
Spina bifida: myelomeningocele
most severe. Spinal cord and/or nerve protrude from vertebral cleft.
Spina bifida oculta signs/symptoms
no/mild signs: hairy patch, dimple, dark spot, swelling at site of gap
Spina bifida: meningocele signs/symptoms
mild problems with sac protrusion
Spina bifida: myelomeningocele signs/symptoms
most severe→ weakness, loss of bladder/bowel control, hydrocephalus, inability to walk, learning problems
causes of spina bifida
Genetic
Medications during pregnancy
Low folate
Poorly managed DM
What can be done for spina bifida?
shunt, surgery
Hydrocephalus
Increased volume of CSF → ventricular dilation and increased intracranial pressure
Obstructive: blockage
Non-obstructive: impaired absorption, rarely overproduction
Hydrocephalus is caused by
CNS malformations Infection Intraventricular hemorrhage Genetic defects Trauma CNS tumors
Hydrocephalus symptoms
Asymptomatic Bradycardia, hypertension Altered respiratory rate HA, N/V Behavioral changes Papilledema, diplopia Macrocephaly Spasticity Spinal abnormalities
How do you diagnose hydrocephalus in infants/newborns?
Ultrasound
How do you diagnose hydrocephalus in infants/older children?
MRI or CT
Hydrocephalus management
refer to a neurosurgeon +/- shunt
Microcephaly and macrocephaly are treated by
Neurology referral
→ labs, imaging
Treat underlying cause
Microcephaly definition
Head circumference >2 standard deviations below mean, or <5th percentile
Primary (congenital)
→ lack of brain development
→ abnormal development due to timing of insult
Secondary (postnatal)
→ injury/insult to previously normal brain
Macrocephaly definition
Head circumference >2 standard deviations above mean, or >95th percentile
→ due to increase in size of any components of cranium: brain, CSF, blood, bone
Microcephaly is caused by
Genetic Pre/peri/post-natal injury Craniosynostosis Metabolic Toxin exposure
Microcephaly presentation
Delayed milestones Seizures Spasticity \+/- early fontanelle closure \+/- prominent sutures