Paediatrics Flashcards
Cerebral palsy symptoms
Not always noticeable when the baby is born, usually 2-3 years after
Delays reaching milestones
Too stiff or too floppy
Jerky or clumsy movements
Random uncontrolled movements
Swallowing difficulties, speaking problems, vision problems
What is cerebral palsy
Name of a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination
Caused by a problem in the brain which develops before, during or soon after birth
Causes of cerebral palsy
Bleeding in the brain Infection caught by the mother during pregnancy Asphyxiation during birth Meningitis A serious head injury
Types of cerebral palsy
Spastic- muscles are stiff and tight
Diskinetic- muscles switch between stiffness and floppiness
Ataxic- balance and coordination problems
Mixed- more than one type of cerebral palsy
What is hemiplegia
One side of the body is affected
What is diplegia
2 limbs are affected
What is monoplegia
One limb is affected
What is quadriplegia
Where all 4 limbs are affected and usually the whole body
What is ASD
Autism spectrum disorder which affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour
What are the symptoms of ASD?
Don’t babble in infancy
Difficultly with eye contact, facial expressions, body language and gestures
Find it hard understanding others emotions
Repeat words or phrases
Like to stick to the same routine lack of awareness or interest in other children
Persistent toe waking for longer than 3 months
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit disorder Hyperactive and impulsive behaviours Difficulty focusing their attention on a single task or sitting for long periods of time Easily distracted Interrupting people while they talk
What is muscular dystrophy?
Group of diseases causing progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass
Mutations interfere with production of protein to form muscles
Symptoms of muscular dystrophy
Progressive muscle weakness
Duchenne muscular dystrophy symptoms
More common in boys Frequent falls Difficulty rising from lying or sitting Waddling gait pattern Walking on toes Large calf muscles Pain and stiffness Learning disabilities Delayed growth Trouble running and jumping
Becker muscular dystrophy
Similar symptoms to duchenne although milder and progress slower
Symptoms begin in the teens- mid 20s
Myotonic muscular dystrophy
Inability to relax muscles following contractions
Long, thin faces, drooping eyelids and swanlike necks
Fascioscapulohumeral dystrophy
Muscle weakness begins in the face, hip and shoulders
Shoulders may stick out like wings
Onset: childhood, teenagers or 50
Limb- girdle muscular dystrophy
Hip and shoulders affected first
Difficulty lifting front part of their foot so trip a lot
Childhood or teenagers
Complications of muscular weakness
Difficulty walking Trouble using arms Breathing problems Shortened tendons or muscles causing contractures Scoliosis Swallowing problems Heart problems
