Neurodevelopmental problems of infancy - Hendrickson Flashcards
What are the prenatal causes of neurodevelopment problems?
Genetic/metabolic
Congenital malformations
Drug exposures
TORCH infections
What are the perinatal causes of neurodevelopment problems?
Prematurity HIE Brachial plexus injury Neonatal sepsis Kernicterus
What are the postnatal causes of neurodevelopment problems?
Abusive head trauma
Child neglect
Maternal depression
Autism and cerebral palsy are neurodevelopment problems that…….?
Are caused by multiple pathways and are multifactorial in nature.
Any significant health or social crisis early in life—even if not directly related to the nervous system does what?
Increases risk of developmental delay, disability, and behavioral problems if it affects oxygen, nutrition, or causes prolonged stress. Example - 40-50% of children who survive congenital cyanotic heart lesions have ADHD.
What are some genetic and metabolic disorders?
Trisomy 21 Fragile X syndrome Rett syndrome Phenylketonuria (PKU) Congenital hypothyroidism Duchenne muscular dystrophy
What is the most common chromosomal abnormality?
Trisomy 21 - risk increases with maternal age.
What are some common characteristics of those who have Trisomy 21?
- Mild (IQ 50-70) to moderate (IQ 35-50) intellectual disability.
- congenital heart disease
- facies - broad, flat face, epicanthic folds, slanting eyes
- palmar crease
- big toes, widely spaced
- big tongue
What types of cardiac diseases are associated with Trisomy 21?
Congenital heart disease (usually VSD and AV canal)
Mitral valve prolapse and aortic regurgitation
What are the neurological complications associated with Trisomy 21?
Cognitive impairment (mild to severe) Low muscle tone Motor and language delay Autistic behavior Alzheimer disease
What is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability in boys?
Fragile X syndrome. Is an X-linked dominant condition.
What are some characteristics of Fragile X syndrome?
- delayed speech
- ADD
- autism - boys born with this are often tested for fragile X
- tremors, ataxia, memory loss, peripheral neuropathy later in life
- hypotonia
- seizures
- facies - broad forehead, elongated face, prominent ears, crossed eyes
Fragile x syndrome is caused by a mutation in what?
The FMR1 gene - is a CGG triplet repeat.
Describe Rett syndrome.
- Affects only girls; 1:10,000-15,000.
- Often misdiagnosed as autism and/or cerebral palsy.
- Normal until 6-18 months, then deteriorate. Very disabled by age 3.
- Lose ability to speak, walk normally, use hands in purposeful way.
- Classic “hand wringing” motion.
- girls live to at least 40s-50s - no cure just supportive care
What is the genetic basis of Rett syndrome?
- MECP2 mutation disrupts normal function of many other genes important for brain development.
- Almost always a new mutation, not inherited.- 95% of cases
- X-linked dominant; boys don’t survive.
What is PKU?
- PKU = increased phenylalanine in blood due to lack of phenylalanine hydroxylase.
- PKU is an amino acid found in all proteins, and aspartame
- autosomal recessive
- affects nerve cells - especially in brain
- controlled primarily via diet
What are the symptoms of PKU if untreated?
Intellectual disability Seizures Tremors or jerky movements Hyperactivity Stunted growth Atopic dermatitis Musty odor in breath, skin, or urine Lighter skin, hair, and eye color than their family members
What is congenital hypothyroidism?
Occurs when thyroid gland fails to develop properly (80-85% of cases) or function normally (genetic, or mom’s diet low in iodine). Symptoms appear at 3-4 weeks of life. Newborns are usually screened.
What causes congenital hypothyroidism?
- Can be caused by multiple gene defects; defects in PAX8 (2q13) and some defects in TSHR (14q31.1) affect gland formation.
- 80-85% cases sporadic; 15-20% inherited (most autosomal recessive).
How is congenital hypothyroidism treated?
Levothyroxine therapy.
If untreated, congenital hypothyroidism causes what?
Intellectual disability Poor feeding “Failure to thrive” Coarse facial features, swollen tongue, persistent large fontanels Myxedema Wide, short hands Constipation Hearing loss Jaundice Fatigue Hypotonia Bradycardia
What is muscular dystrophy?
Group of genetic diseases in which a muscle protein is abnormal, susceptible to damage.
What are the types of muscular dystrophy?
9 major types: Duchenne Becker Emery-Dreifuss Limb-girdle Fascioscapulohumeral Oculopharyngeal Myotonic Congenital Distal
Describe some characteristics of Duchenne MD.
- 50% of all muscular dystrophy cases.
- X-linked recessive inheritance, so affects mostly boys; sons of women carriers have 50% chance of disease.
- Caused by defective gene for dystrophin (a muscle protein) at Xp21. Check creatine kinase.
- Symptoms begin before age 6; rapid progression.
What are some typical symptoms of Duchennes?
- enlarged calves
- Frequent falls; trouble running, jumping; waddling gait.
- Difficulty rising from sit or lie (Gowers’ sign).
- 1/3 have intellectual, behavioral, speech, vision problems.
- Cardiomyopathy, scoliosis, muscle wasting, contractures.
- Lose ability to walk by age 12; respiratory failure/death by age 40.
What are congenital malformations?
Physical defect present at birth. Examples are:
- NTD’s
- cleft lip/palate
- cyanotic heart lesions
What are possible causes of congenital malformations?
Genetic defect
Teratogen
Physical forces (e.g. “Potter’s facies” in oligohydramnios (flat face due to physical forces); amniotic band syndrome)
Abnormal signaling molecules/cell migration
Nutritional deficiency
What are Neural tube defects (NTD’s)?
Defects in brain, spine, or spinal cord caused by neural tube not closing properly during gastrulation (first trimester). Is the second most common major congenital defect worldwide - after cardiac.
What are the risk factors for NTD’s?
Maternal folate and B12 deficiency clearly a risk factor. Others: maternal obesity, diabetes, hyperthermia, cigarette smoke exposure. Incidence decreased up to 70% if mom takes folate.
How are NTD’s diagnosed?
Elevated maternal serum alpha fetal-protein (MSAFP) screening + prenatal ultrasounds usually detect before birth.
What are some NTD’s?
- anencephaly - no brain develops
- encephalocele
- hydroencephalocele
- spina bifida
What are the types of Spina bifida?
- Most common neural tube defect (1:2800); usually in lumbar/sacral region.
- Occulta:
10-20% of population
Usually asymptomatic, found incidentally or due to skin defect - Meningocele:
Least common form
Treated surgically, often no sequelae - Myelomeningocele:
Paralysis and loss of sensation below lesion; bowel/bladder issues
Brain abnormalities and intellectual deficits common
Physical and other therapies throughout childhood
What are some common drug exposures during pregnancy?
Fetal alcohol syndrome Marijuana (THC) Opiates Stimulants Tobacco
Describe Fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Most common cause of intellectual disability in U.S. ; 8% of pregnant mothers drink.
- Highest risk in heavy/binge drinkers; exact toxicity level unknown.
- causes poor growth, facies and brain damage as well as possible heart, joint, renal, ocular and other anomalies.
What are the distinctive facial features associated with FAS?
- small eye openings
- smooth filtrum
- thin upper lip
What are some of the CNS affects of FAS?
Brain damage (microcephaly, migration abnormalities, etc.) is main feature:
Learning disabilities/low IQ Impulse control ADD/ADHD Memory problems Social skills deficits Executive function deficits
Describe marijauna exposure in pregnancy.
- Most commonly used illicit drug in pregnancy (3-4% in U.S.).
- Tetrahydrocannaboid (THC) is significant neuroteratogen in both pregnancy and lactation.
- Effects are dose-dependent.
What is prenatal marijauna exposure linked to:
ADD/ADHD Cognitive impairment Altered emotional responses Growth retardation Motor delays
Describe prenatal opiate exposure?
- 2-3% of pregnant mothers abuse heroin, methadone, or prescription painkillers (e.g., oxycodone).
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: birth causes sudden withdrawal of opiates for baby.
- NAS severity depends on mother’s dose.
- May last up to 10 weeks after birth; treated with opiates for baby, slowly weaned.
What are the symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome?
High muscle tone Inconsolability Irritability Sneezing Nasal stuffiness Excessive sucking but poor sucking ability High-pitched cry Skin excoriations