Pedi Neuro Flashcards
Premature closure of one or more cranial sutures. Common in certain syndromes. Simple (1 suture) vs complex (multiple sutures). Abnormal head shape. Can cause increased ICP and/or brain/facial/eye abnormalities.
Craniosynostosis
Treatment: Surgery. Endoscopic before 6 months. Helmet post op- 23 hours/day x 3-4 months (open surgery- no helmet)
Nursing: Neuro baseline, CBC, wound care, post-op pain, helmet adherence
Craniosynostosis Treament and Nursing Care
Asymmetry and flattening of the head due to external forces on skull. Supine for long periods ("Back to Sleep" campaign, prematurity...) Skull deformity (R occiput greater than L). May cause uneven facial features. Determine cause (? Decreased ROM, ? torticollis - SCM muscle)
Deformational Plagiocephaly (DP)
Treatment: Positioning, orthotics (helmet less than 12 mo)
Nursing: Helmet 20-23 hours/day x 2-6 mo. Tummy time; limit car seats, swings
Deformational Plagiocephaly (DP) Treatment and Nursing Care
Abnormally small head. Head circumference 2 SDs below mean. Primary (genetic, chromosomal or hereditary cause). Secondary (exposure to irradiation, maternal infection or ETOH/tobacco). Varying degrees of cognitive impairment and motor delays.
Microcephaly
No cure: Supportive treatment.
Nursing care: Support for special needs child and family. Services, resources, equipment
Coping with appearance and raising a special needs child.
Microcephaly Treatment and Nursing Care
Build up of CSF in brain- imbalance between production and absorption. Increased production of CSF, decreased absorption of CSF, obstruction of flow (non communicating) (no LP) leads to increased ICP.
Hydrocephalus
Common cause: Arnold-Chiari malformation Types 1 & 2. Narrow foramen magnum and low cerebellar tonsils (blowing flow). Other causes: Abnormal CNS development, tumors, lesions, bleeding, head injury.
Hydrocephalus Causes
Treatment: Relieve ICP leads to VP shunt (lateral ventricle - peritoneum)
Complications: infected, clogged, kinked, clotted; need replacement with growth.
Monitor neuro status closely; head circ, temp, lethargy, feeding, N & V, seizure, skin. No contact sports
Hydrocephalus Treatment, Complications, and Nursing Care
Part of the cerebellum at the back of the skull bulges through the opening in the skull and extends into spinal canal.
Headache, neck ache, difficulty swallowing, balance, hearing issues; other neuro S/s
Arnold Chiari Malformation
Treatment only if symptomatic: Posterior fossa decompression. Applies to both types
Arnold Chiari Malformation Treament
Congenital vascular lesions- failure of vessels to differentiate. Bypass of capillaries; higher pressure causes dilation/weakening/susceptibility. Most common cause of spontaneous hemorrhage in children. Headache, weakness, seizure activity, cognitive impairment, sudden change in LOC.
Arteriovenous Malformation
Diagnosis: Neuroimaging; CT, MRI
Treatment: surgical resection; evacuation.
Outcomes depend on severity, time elapsed.
Post op: frequent neuro checks; ICU management. Serious complications common leading to disability and death. Rehab and family support
Ateriovenous Malformation Treatment, Complications, and Nursing Care
Infection of the meninges (membranes protecting brain). Spread through respiratory secretions. Bacterial/septic (or viral). S. pneumoniae, N meningitidis, E. coli or HiB. Pathogen disseminates; through CSF into brain.
Meningitis
S/s include inflammatory response: fever, headache, stiff neck, lethargy, photophobia, purpuric rash (treat immediately). Brudzinki’s and Kernig’s signs; Lumbar Puncture
S/s and Diagnosis of Meningitis
Isolation! Neuro checks; antibiotics; supportive care. Prophylaxis for those near
Nursing interventions for Meningitis
Very rare, potentially fatal toxic metabolic encephalopathic condition. Mitochondrial injury related to aspirin given during VIRAL illness. Influenza A or B, varicella; (paraflu, CMV, Coxsackie, EBV, HIV, Hep A and B, rota). Imcreased ammonia levels leading to acute encephalitis and liver failure.
Reyes Syndrome
Stages 0-6- vomiting, lethargy, disorientation - rapid progression (3-5 days): fulminant liver failure, encephalopathy, organ failure.
Diagnosis: liver biposy, LP, blood (ammonia) (specific CDC diagnostic criteria)
Reyes Syndrome S/s and Diagnosis
PICU care: specifically neuro and resp
Increased risk of bleeding due to liver involement.
Diuretics, corticosteroids, insulin, electrolytes
Teach prevention: no ASA in children over 19.
NO ASPIRIN
Reyes Syndrome Nursing Interventions
Infection surrounding meninges with CEREBRAL EDEMA. Usually viral; associated with mosquito bite-based and herpes type 1. Similar to meningitis
Encephalitis
Similar presentation to meningitis (stiff neck, lethargy, photophobia) but s/s can progress rapidly to decreased LOC, seizures.
Confirmed with MRI
Encephalitis S/s and Diagnosis
Interventions include close monitoring, IV antibiotics/antivirals, antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, anti epileptics. NOT a seizure disorder
Encephalitis Nursing Interventions
Electrical disturbance in the brain. Large # of brain cells abnormally activated at once. Causes motor, sensory/language/motor and cognitive changes.
Classified according to where they begin/area of brain affected, altered LOC and type of activity, frequency and duration.
Focal (1 hemisphere) vs generalized (both hemispheres)
Seizure Disorders
Causes include: Structural (tumor, cyst, brain defect), genetic, infectious, metabolic derangement, abnormal immune response, unknown
Causes of Seizure Disorders
Motor manifestations: Impaired awareness vs unconsciousness. Jerking in 1 extremity. Stiffness on 1 side. Lip smacking
Non-motor: Tingling, buzzing sounds, flashing lights. Feeling anxious, fearful, angry
Focal Manifestations of Seizure Disorders
Loss of consciousness
Motor manifestations: tonic (stiff, increased tone), clonic (rhythmic jerking x 4 extrem), tonic-clonic (loss of conscience), myoclonic (looks like tics, tremors), atonic (“drop attack” injury risk).
Non motor: challenging to diagnose (ADD), can look like daydreaming. Can look like daydreaming. Absence seizures: eyes flutter, lip smacking, rubbing fingers together
Generalized Manifestations of Seizure Disorders
0.5- 1% of pediatric population. Recurrent and unprovoked seizures. 2 seizures more than 24 hours apart. Probability of another (EEG activity)
Epilepsy