Neurological Condition
Neurological Conditions - Diseases of the central (brain, spinal cord) and peripheral
nervous system (cranial nerves, peripheral nerves)
Hydrocephalus - Condition characterized by a build up of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF),
typically due to inadequate absorption
Communicating vs. Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus - -Communicating: no
obstruction to the flow within the ventricular system
-Non-communicating: obstruction present within the ventricular system
Signs of Hydrocephalus - -Rapid head growth
-Full or tense soft spot (fontanelle)
-Unusual irritability and repeated vomiting
-Apnea
-Crossed eyes or inability to look up
-Difficulty swallowing
-Difficulty in maintaining a wakeful state
Hydrocephalus Treatment - Insertion of a shunt; diverts excess CSF to another site
where it can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream
Meningitis - -Inflammation of the meninges (lining of the brain)
-Can be viral or bacterial
*Contagious*
Symptoms of Meningitis - -Irritability
-Poor feeding
-Nausea or vomiting
-Lethargy
-Seizures
-Poor tone
-Severe headache
-Confusion
Bacteria vs. Virus - -Bacteria: living cells that reproduce independently, can be treated
with antibiotics
-Virus: non living cell that require a host cell for replication, cannot be treated with
antibiotics
Encephalitis - -Inflammation of the brain
-Most often viral
Mild Symptoms of Encephalitis (Adult) - -Headache
, -Fever
-Aches
-Fatigue
Severe Symptoms of Encephalitis (Adult) - -Hallucinations
-Confusion, agitation
-Loss of sensation, paralysis
-Muscle weakness
-Problems with speech and/or hearing
-Loss of consciousness
What is the long term effects of untreated encephalitis symptoms? - Residual cognitive
impairment
Symptoms of Encephalitis (Children) - -Bulging in the skull's soft spots
-Nausea, vomiting
-Body stiffness
-Poor feeding
-Irritability
Cerebral Palsy (CP) - *Most common motor disability in children*
-Group of non-progressive disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain
balance and posture
-Caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain; most
cases are congenital
CP Statistics - -Affects 2/1000 birth
-Diagnosis is 1.5x more common in males
-Diagnosis is more common in non-hispanic, African-American children
-Diagnosis is more common in low-middle income families
Congenital CP - Occurs before or at birth as a result of:
-Genetic abnormalities
-Maternal health factors (hypertension, malnutrition, etc.)
-Premature birth
-Infections during pregnancy
-Jaundice
-Birth complication
Acquired CP - Acquired 28 days or later after birth as a result of:
-Infection of the brain (meningitis, encephalitis)
-Injury
-Interruption of blood flow to the brain (CVA, heart defect, sickle cell, etc.)
Signs/Symptoms of CP - -Tone abnormalities
-Reflex abnormalities
Neurological Conditions - Diseases of the central (brain, spinal cord) and peripheral
nervous system (cranial nerves, peripheral nerves)
Hydrocephalus - Condition characterized by a build up of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF),
typically due to inadequate absorption
Communicating vs. Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus - -Communicating: no
obstruction to the flow within the ventricular system
-Non-communicating: obstruction present within the ventricular system
Signs of Hydrocephalus - -Rapid head growth
-Full or tense soft spot (fontanelle)
-Unusual irritability and repeated vomiting
-Apnea
-Crossed eyes or inability to look up
-Difficulty swallowing
-Difficulty in maintaining a wakeful state
Hydrocephalus Treatment - Insertion of a shunt; diverts excess CSF to another site
where it can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream
Meningitis - -Inflammation of the meninges (lining of the brain)
-Can be viral or bacterial
*Contagious*
Symptoms of Meningitis - -Irritability
-Poor feeding
-Nausea or vomiting
-Lethargy
-Seizures
-Poor tone
-Severe headache
-Confusion
Bacteria vs. Virus - -Bacteria: living cells that reproduce independently, can be treated
with antibiotics
-Virus: non living cell that require a host cell for replication, cannot be treated with
antibiotics
Encephalitis - -Inflammation of the brain
-Most often viral
Mild Symptoms of Encephalitis (Adult) - -Headache
, -Fever
-Aches
-Fatigue
Severe Symptoms of Encephalitis (Adult) - -Hallucinations
-Confusion, agitation
-Loss of sensation, paralysis
-Muscle weakness
-Problems with speech and/or hearing
-Loss of consciousness
What is the long term effects of untreated encephalitis symptoms? - Residual cognitive
impairment
Symptoms of Encephalitis (Children) - -Bulging in the skull's soft spots
-Nausea, vomiting
-Body stiffness
-Poor feeding
-Irritability
Cerebral Palsy (CP) - *Most common motor disability in children*
-Group of non-progressive disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain
balance and posture
-Caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain; most
cases are congenital
CP Statistics - -Affects 2/1000 birth
-Diagnosis is 1.5x more common in males
-Diagnosis is more common in non-hispanic, African-American children
-Diagnosis is more common in low-middle income families
Congenital CP - Occurs before or at birth as a result of:
-Genetic abnormalities
-Maternal health factors (hypertension, malnutrition, etc.)
-Premature birth
-Infections during pregnancy
-Jaundice
-Birth complication
Acquired CP - Acquired 28 days or later after birth as a result of:
-Infection of the brain (meningitis, encephalitis)
-Injury
-Interruption of blood flow to the brain (CVA, heart defect, sickle cell, etc.)
Signs/Symptoms of CP - -Tone abnormalities
-Reflex abnormalities
