Neurology Flashcards
What are febrile convulsions? (1)
What age group of children are normally affected? (1)
Febrile convulsions are seizures provoked by fever in otherwise normal children.
They typically occur between the ages of 6 months and 5 years and are seen in 3% of children.
How long should a febrile convulsion last before the parent calls 999? (1)
What type of seizure activity is usually seen? (1)
5 minutes - put in recovery position and call 999
Tonic or Tonic-clonic
A child has had a febrile convulsion and the mother is concerned about further episodes. What is the chance of a further febrile convulsion? (1)
33% (1/3) More if positive FH
What is the most commonly form of epilepsy seen in children?
Name 2 common triggers?
Name 2 commonly used medications for this type of seizure.
What percentage of children will be free from this type of. Epilepsy by 16 years old?
Absence seizures
Stress, hyperventilation
Sodium valproate, ethosuxamide
90-95% seizure free by adulthood
What is benign rolandic seizures and what age group are ost commonly affected? (2)
Form of childhood epilepsy that occurs in 4-12 year olds.
Typically seizures are partial and occur at night
Name 3 causes of microcephaly? (3)
Normal variation, congenital infection, craniosyntosis, syndromic eg patau, foetal alcohol syndrome, perinatal brain injury eg HIE
Define cerebral palsy. (2)
What are the 3 types of causation and give an example of each. (3)
Non degenerative brain lesions with abnormal movement and posture. Ante natal (80%) TORCH infection Peri natal (10%) Birth asphyxia Post natal (10%) intraventricular haemorrhage, head trauma, meningitis
What are the 3 classifications of cerebral palsy? (3)
clue: types not classification of causes.
Spastic - pyramidal tracts affected - UMN signs
Ataxic - (extrapyramidal) cerebellum affected - poor balance, delayed motor milestones, hypotonia
Dyskinetic - (extrapyramidal) basal ganglia affected - chorea, athetosis, dystonia, hypotonia, delayed motor milestones
How should cerebral palsy be managed? (2)
Conservatively - MDT, parent/patient education, support groups
Medically - Baclofen, Botox, Hyoscine for secretions, treat complications
What is meningitis? (2)
Infection of the subarachnoid space and associated inflammation of the meninges.
Name 3 causes of meningitis. (3)
0-2 month - Group B streptococcus, gram negative bacilli e.g. e coli
1m+ neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), streptococcus pneumoniae, HiB
Any age - mycobacterium tuberculosis
VIRAL - enteroviruses, CMV
Name 3 risk factors that can put a child a greater risk of developing meningitis. (3)
impaired immunity - young, splenic defect (SCD), defects of complement system
low SES - overcrowding, poverty.
What symptoms in a history would make you suspicious of meningitis in a neonate and in a child? (4)
Neonate - fever, irritability, lethargy, seizures, shrill cry, rash
Child - fever, headache, neck stiffness, decreasing GCS, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, anorexia, rash or seizures.
What is Kernig’s sign? (1)
Sign of meningeal irritation - supine, knee and hip are flexed and there is pain on extending leg
Name 3 signs of raised ICP. (3)
Papilloedema, decreased consciousness, focal neurology (6th nerve palsy), Cushing reflex (high BP, low HR), decerebrate posturing (extended arms, internally rotated)
