Neuro Pedia Flashcards
(91 cards)
What is the cornerstone of neurologic assessment?
A detailed history
Includes primary informants such as parents/guardians.
What are the components of the neurologic evaluation history?
- Chief complaint
- History of present illness
- Birth history
- Developmental history
- Family history
- Social history
What is monitored to detect hydrocephalus or microcephaly?
Head circumference
Serial monitoring should occur at every clinic visit for children under 3 years old.
When does the anterior fontanelle typically close?
9-18 months
It is diamond-shaped and about 2x2 cm.
What is the GCS score for a patient with E3V4M5?
12 points
E3 (eye opening to voice) = 3, V4 (confused verbalization) = 4, M5 (localizes to pain) = 5.
What are the signs to check for in a general motor examination?
- Atrophy
- Hypertrophy
- Abnormal movements (Tics, Fasciculations, Dystonia, Chorea, Athetosis)
What does the disappearance of primitive reflexes indicate?
Maturation of the cerebral hemisphere
What is the normal opening pressure for a newborn during a lumbar puncture?
90-120 mmH2O
What are the normal CSF analysis values for a child beyond the neonatal period?
- Pressure: 50-80 mmH2O
- Protein: 20-45 mg/dL
- Glucose: >75 mg/dL of serum glucose
- Leukocytes: <5 mm3 (75% lymphocytes)
What is the embryonic origin of the nervous system?
Ectoderm
What is the etiology of spinal cord malformation?
Failure of the neural tube to close between the 3rd and 4th week of in utero development
What is the most severe form of dysraphism?
Myelomeningocele
What imaging method is diagnostic of choice for all ages regarding spinal cord conditions?
MRI
It is expensive and often requires sedation.
What is the primary prevention method for neural tube defects?
Maternal periconceptual use of folic acid (4 mg OD)
What are the indications for imaging in suspected spinal dysraphism?
- Uncertain clinical findings
- Subcutaneous mass or lipoma
- Hairy patch
- Atypical dimples
- Vascular lesions like hemangioma
What are the common gait abnormalities and their descriptions?
- Spastic gait: Stiff-legged
- Hemiparetic gait: Spasticity and circumduction
- Cerebellar ataxia: Wide-based, reeling
- Sensory ataxia: Steppage gait
- Myopathic gait: Waddling
Fill in the blank: The method of choice for detecting hemorrhage in infants is _______.
Cranial Ultrasonography
What is the prognosis for children with aggressive treatment for neural tube defects?
10-15% mortality
70% of survivors have significant disabilities.
What is the incidence period for conditions that started before conception?
Before conception until at least the 12th week of gestation when neurulation is complete.
What is the immediate surgical indication for CSF leaks?
Immediate surgery is indicated to prevent complications.
What are the surgical procedures indicated for myelomeningocele?
Repair of myelomeningocele and shunting procedure for hydrocephalus.
What is the prognosis for survivors with aggressive treatment?
10-15% mortality; 70% of survivors have normal intelligence.
Where is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced?
In the choroid plexus epithelium within the cerebral ventricles.
How is CSF reabsorbed into the bloodstream?
CSF is reabsorbed in the arachnoid villus cells and returned to the bloodstream via pinocytosis.