Peds Neuro Flashcards
(27 cards)
spina bifida
umbrella term for an opening in the spinal column
spina bifida oculta
opening in the spinal column - no protrusion of the meningies
meningocele
opening in the spinal column - protrusion of a cyst - no spinal cord
myelomeningocele
opening in the spinal column - protrusion of a cyst with spinal cord
Hydrocephalus
“water on the brain” - present at birth, occurs before the fusion of cranial sutures casuing expansion to accommodate
what prevents neural tube defects
mother increases vitamin B folic acid intake
seizure - definition
Sudden transient disruption in brain electrical function caused by excessive discharges of cortical neurons
seizure - causes
idiopathic, trauma, tumours, infection, genetics, epilepsy, degernative, metabolic disorders
tonic phase of seizure
muscle contraction with increased tone
clonic phase of seizure
alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles
simple (focal) partial seizure
will only affect one are of the brain
Will not lose consciousness – will last 1-2 minutes
Localized area
Have a feeling that something is not right
petit mal (absence) seizure
generalized, sudden onset, stare blankly, both sides of the brain involved
tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure
generalized, loss of consciousness, increased muscle tone, muscle jerking, aura
4 stages of a tonic-clonic or grand mal seizure
prodromal (feeling) , early ictal (aura), ictal (seizure), post ictal (recovery)
myoclonic contractions
generalized, Brief shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles lasts a few seconds
Sensation of electrical shock, clumsy, jerking movements
Person is awake and can think clearly
Both sides of the brain affected
epilepsy
Recurrence of seizures and type of seizure disorder for which no underlying, correctable cause for the seizure can be found
status epilepticus
Seizure activity lasting longer than 30 minutes – or rapidly recurring seizures before the person regains consciousness
why is status epilepticus a medical emergency?
can cause brain death
Release of epinephrine and norepinephrine cause physiological changes
Can lead to maladaptive mechanisms leading to permanent changes in the body
How do we diagnose a seizure?
Eye witness account - time, type, precipitating factors, loss of consciousness, head injury. MRI, CT, CBC, EEG
What is a febrile seizure?
benign seizure occurs with increased body temperature
Signs & symptoms of a febrile seizure
loss of consciousness
twitchingor jerking of arms and legs.
breathing difficulty.
foaming at the mouth.
cyanosis
eye rolling
10 to 15 minutes to wake up properly afterwards.
Tend to outgrow by age 5
cerebral palsy
non-progressive disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture
spastic cerebral palsy
damage to the corticospinal pathways – increased muscle tone, persistent primitive reflexes (rooting, stepping, grasping, Moro), hyperactive DTR, clonus, rigidity of the extremities, scoliosis, and contractures
non-spastic cerebral palsy - dystonic
muscles contract uncontrollably) (10-20%) – damage to the basal ganglia, or extrapyramidal tracts – difficulty in fine motor coordination and purposeful movements – stiff, slow, & uncontrolled
