Neurology Flashcards
When do infantile spasms present?
Infantile Spasms
• 90% present in first year (peak 4-6
months)
What do spasms look like?
Frequent clusters of flexor, extensor, or
mixed spasms
What is the EEG pattern for infantile spasms?
EEG pattern hypsarrhythmia
- Chaotic, high amplitude background
- Multifocal spikes
How do you treat infantile spasms?
Treated with vigabatrin (retinal toxicity) or ACTH (irritability, central adrenal axis suppression)
or high dose Prednisone
What conditions are associated with Infantile Spasms?
Tuberous Sclerosis (e.g., hypopigmented macules) or Down Syndrome
What is sandifer syndrome?
Sandifer Syndrome
• Abnormal movements (often axial stiffening) occurring due to GERD
• Usually occur with or after feeds in “spitty” baby
What does benign myoclonus of infancy look like?
Benign Myoclonus of Infancy
• AKA Shuddering Attacks
• Sudden brief symmetrical axial flexor spasms of trunk and head lasting 1-2 s OR “vibratory” tonic flexion of neck
• May be provoked by excitement/fear
• Normal exam
• Spontaneous remission by 5 years of life
Need to R/O Infantile spasms
What is the EEG finding for benign myoclonus of infancy?
Normal
How old are children when they have breath holding spells
• Present from 6-18 months of age
What do breath holding spells look like and what are the two types?
- ~1 min episodes of LOC
- Cyanotic: Apnea and cyanosis after agitation
- Pallid: Limpness, diaphoresis and pallor after injury
What is the treatment for breath holding spells?
- 100% will resolve by 8 years of age
* Reassure parents and consider treatment with iron supplementation
What condition is breath holding spells associated with?
• Association with iron deficiency anemia
How old are children with infantile masturbation?
Infantile Masturbation
• Often starts within first year of life
• More common in girls
• Most have spontaneous remission by 3 years of life
What do episodes of infantile masturbation look like?
More common in girls
Characterized by episodes of:
• Repetitive pelvic rocking
• Adduction of legs
reduced responsiveness - but distractible…may return to behaviour
can get some autonomic symptoms with this may happen
• Pelvic pressure (hands or on object (e.g., car seat))
How old are children when Childhood absence epilepsy starts?
Childhood Absence Epilepsy
• Present in first decade (peak 6-7 years)
What does Childhood absence epilepsy look like clinically?
• Typical absence seizures hundreds of times/day
• Otherwise patient is essentially norma
- May be doing poorly in school….frequent seizures
What do you treat childhood absence epilepsy with?
Treat with ethosuximide: First Line
valproic acid or lamotrigine
What is the prognosis of Childhood Absence Epilepsy?
70% of patients will outgrow seizures in
adolescence
What should you NOT treat childhood absence epilepsy with?
oxcarbazamine should NOT be used in these patients - can make it worse
What is the typical age of onset for benign rolandic epilepsy?
4-10 years
What do seizures in BRE look like?
• Nocturnal focal seizures of face lasting 1-2 minutes with no loss of consciousness
- Often 2-3 hours after falling asleep.
- often involves vocal cord movement as well - so cannot speak unable to speak or swallow, but can communicate and can follow commands will see a lot of drooling
- Usually only have seizures at night
• May have less than 10 events total
What is the prognosis for BRE?
Overall a BENIGN condition • Most outgrow in puberty • Likely do not require treatment • If treat, Keppra (levetiracetam) appears to be best
What medication can you NOT use for BRE?
for those who require treatment (frequent seizures)
oxcarbazapine can make it worse in this case
phenytoin avoided because of long-term consequences
Would treat with carbamazepine
What anti epileptics are used in children <2
Children < 2 years • Phenobarbital • Good for generalized or focal • Major adverse effect = sedation • Reversible effects on IQ
- Second line
- Levetiracetam • Topiramate