SHN2004 – Care of the Child with a Neurological Disorder
Care of the Child with a Neurological Disorder:
An Overview
Neurological Disorders
Headache
o Severe headaches which go beyond the normal everyday headache that
people experience
o Migraines (various different types with a variety of courses)
o Can be a symptom of other neurological disorders
o Nearest neurological paediatric ward setting to us is Cardiff
Epilepsy – seizures
o 1 in 100 children have some form of epilepsy (of which there are many
varieties
Motor disorders
o Corticospinal (pyramidal) tract disorders
o Basal ganglia disorders
o Cerebellar disorders
o Cerebral palsy
Both in hospital and more commonly out in the community
Variety of different forms and degrees of severity (for some
individuals it may not even be apparent that they have the condition)
Peripheral motor disorders: Neuromuscular Disorders
o Disorders of the anterior horn cell
Spinal muscular atrophy
Affects new-born children – degeneration of musculature from
birth
o Increasing weakness from toes upwards and fingers
inwards essentially resulting in paralysis
o Will go on to affect muscles in the chest affecting
breathing
By 18 months children will be experiencing lots
of chest infections which will eventually result
in death
o Known as ‘floppy doll syndrome’
No known treatment – palliative care and treating symptoms
See previous lecture notes for further information
Poliomyelitis
Don’t tend to see this as a result of vaccination
However get some cases where people have come to the
country from somewhere were vaccination isn’t offered
1
Care of the Child with a Neurological Disorder:
An Overview
Neurological Disorders
Headache
o Severe headaches which go beyond the normal everyday headache that
people experience
o Migraines (various different types with a variety of courses)
o Can be a symptom of other neurological disorders
o Nearest neurological paediatric ward setting to us is Cardiff
Epilepsy – seizures
o 1 in 100 children have some form of epilepsy (of which there are many
varieties
Motor disorders
o Corticospinal (pyramidal) tract disorders
o Basal ganglia disorders
o Cerebellar disorders
o Cerebral palsy
Both in hospital and more commonly out in the community
Variety of different forms and degrees of severity (for some
individuals it may not even be apparent that they have the condition)
Peripheral motor disorders: Neuromuscular Disorders
o Disorders of the anterior horn cell
Spinal muscular atrophy
Affects new-born children – degeneration of musculature from
birth
o Increasing weakness from toes upwards and fingers
inwards essentially resulting in paralysis
o Will go on to affect muscles in the chest affecting
breathing
By 18 months children will be experiencing lots
of chest infections which will eventually result
in death
o Known as ‘floppy doll syndrome’
No known treatment – palliative care and treating symptoms
See previous lecture notes for further information
Poliomyelitis
Don’t tend to see this as a result of vaccination
However get some cases where people have come to the
country from somewhere were vaccination isn’t offered
1
