Neurology Flashcards
Name three causes of a provoked epileptic seizure in children
febrile hypoglycaemia hypocalcaemia + hyponatraemia trauma meningitis encephalitis gastroenteritis
What is a reflex epileptic seizure?
stimulus brings on seizure e.g. flashing lights, stress, being in bath
What are the two categories of epileptic seizures?
generalised and focal
Name three types of generalised seizures
tonic-clonic absence atonic (sudden loss of muscle strength) myoclonic spasms clonic (jerking) tonic (stiffness)
How can focal seizures be divided
hemisphere
lobe
features- motor, aura, autonomic
Name four comorbidities of children with epilepsy
learning disability anxiety depression ADHD Autism Cerebral palsy
Name two causes of neurally-mediated syncope
vasovagal syncope/simple faints
breath holding
orthostasis- insuffieicent baroreflex on standing
reflex asystolic syncope
Name three differentials for non-epileptic events
Syncope
Psychological
Derangement of sleep process
Migraine equivalents
List one antenatal cause of cerebral palsy
teratogens, toxins
List one perinatal cause of cerebral palsy
hypoxic insult, sepsis
List one postnatal cause of cerebral palsy
meningitis, trauma
List three neurological classifications of cerebral palsy
spastic dystonic Dyskinetic (increased activity) ataxic (impaired coordination) mixed
Cerebral palsy patient is diplegic (lower limbs affected). What is the likely cause of this?
lesion of white matter of of posterior brain, typically associated with prematurity
Name three comorbidities associated with cerebral palsy
epilepsy learning disability behaviour problems GORD/feeding problems osteoporosis
List two signs seen when examining a child with spina bifida
flaccid weakness of lower limbs
absent reflexes
loss of sensation
What is the chiari malformation?
brain pushes down into spinal canal. Hydrocephalus can ensue
Name two patterns of cerebral palsy
hemiplegia
quadriplegia
diplegia
List three aspects in the management of a patient with cerebral palsy
phsyio OT speech and language paediatricians orthopaedic surgeons social workers
What is the most common cause of hydrocephalus?
aqueductal stenosis
Two causes of hydrocephalus
chiari malformation
arachnoid cyst
aqueductal stenosis
chromosomal and conegnital malformations
Two signs of hydrocephalus
Increasing occipito-frontal circumference (growth charts are important) bulging anterior fontanelle poor feeding and vomiting sleepiness poor tone
List two types of muscular dystrophy
duchenne’s
becker’s
myotonic
5 year old presents with muscle weakness, where they struggle to stand by using their hands on their legs/ What is this sign and likely diagnosis?
Gower’s sign
DMD
A patient is unable to let go after shaking people’s hand and unable to release their grip on a doorknob after opening a door. What is the likely cause of this?
myotonic dystrophy
Which reflex is normal in newborn babies which would be abnormal in adults?
Upward plantars
What is a hallmark feature of Sturge-Weber syndrome?
neurological disorder
Too many capillaries in meninges
Port-wine stain over areas of face innervated by trigeminal nerve
also associated with eye abnormalities e.g. glaucoma
What is bruxism?
condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism). Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder.
