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ALTERATIONS IN NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION IN PEDIATRICS CH 37 Christine Limann Dyer, RN, CPN
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Pediatric Differences -Head is larger in proportion to body -Insufficient musculoskeletal support in neck -Fontenelles not closed in young child
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-Major cause of childhood deaths -Who is more at risk? Head Injuries
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Concussion Signs and Symptoms -Headache -Slowness in thinking, acting, speaking -Fatigue -Memory problems -Loss of balance (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Cerebral Contusion Bruising of the brain secondary to blunt trauma. Can be either coup or countercoup injuries. May involve tearing of brain tissue and may lead to areas of necrosis or infarction. (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Head Trauma Between dura and cerebellum Result of head trauma such as falls, MVA, or shaken child syndrome Symptoms may appear after 24-72 hours Change in LOC, Headache, N/V, retinal hemorrhage, pupil on side of injury may be dilated Prognosis poor Between dura and skull Almost never occurs in children less than 4 y/o. Blunt trauma such as MVA, assault, baseball injury Delayed onset followed by rapid change in mental status Headache, Fixed dialated pupils, s/s increased ICP Prognosis good Subdural HematomaEpidural Hematoma
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Shaken Baby Physical abuse Countercoup injury Subdural Hematoma Retinal Hemorrhage Seizure Check baby for fractures in the rest of their body Countercoup injury
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Injury by Severity Concussion or mild brain injury 13-15 GCS Moderate brain injury 9-12 GCS Loss of consciousness Severe Brain Injury 8 or less GCS Coma Increased ICP (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Nursing Actions What is the priority? Reportable changes Decrease in coma scale Restlessness and irritability Pain Changes in pupils Changes in responses, reflexes, movements Drainage from nose/ears Increased thirst or urination Change in vital signs
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Drowning/Near-Drowning Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children Death occurs from asphyxia while submerged Can occur with even small quantity of water (even as little as a pail of water) Near-drowning: survived at least 24 hours after submersion
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Cushing’s Triad Bradycardia Widening Pulse Pressure Irregular Respirations Increased SystolicDecreased Diastolic (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Intracranial Infections -Meningitis More Dangerous Group B Streptococcus and gram- negative enteric bacilli most likely cause in newborns Neisseria Meningitidis 2 mo-12 yr Can also cause meningococcemia H influenzae B and Strep Pneumoniae are now less common because of vaccination -Fever, vomiting, irritable, hemorrhagic rash, headache, nuchal rigidity, seizures Treatment: Antibiotics Does not appear as ill as the child with bacterial meningitis Caused by enteroviruses, mumps, vericella Irritable, fever, lethargy, headache, may have stick neck or back pain Usually resolves in 3-10 days Treat with antibiotics until bacterial meningitis is ruled out Bacterial Meningitis Viral Meningitis Both Diagnosed by Lumbar Puncture-LP
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Intracranial Infections-Reye’s Syndrome Infection in the brain – acute encephalopathy May cause permanent tissue damage to brain and liver Associated with use of aspirin with viral illness such as chicken pox or influenza b Symptoms: nausea/vomiting, mental changes, seizures, progressive unresponsiveness
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Hydrocephalus – Cerebrospinal fluid build up Communicating hydrocephalus – no blockage. Either a problem with over production of CSF or problem with absorption Non-communicating- obstruction Aqueduct of sylvius
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Causes of Hydrocephalus Myelomeningocele Dandy-Walker Syndrome Chiari Malformation Aqueduct of sylvius stenosis Intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants Post infectious meningitis Brain tumors Congenital malformation Non-Congenital
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Hydrocephalus- clinical manifestations Newborns and infants Bulging fontanels Increased head circumference Sun set eyes Irritability High-pitched, catlike cry Visible scalp veins Children Headache Visual disturbance Nausea/vomiting Pupils sluggish Decrease in consciousness Seizures Cushing’s Triad Widening pulse pressure Bradycardia Irregular respirations (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Hydrocephalus Treatment Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP Shunt)
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Seizures Most common neurologic dysfunction in kids Caused by malfunctions of brain’s electrical system Infections or high fever Chemical imbalance of the body that causes loss of metabolism Congenital conditions or trauma Genetic factors and family history Brain tumors and neurological problems Habits of the mother like smoking, alcohol consumption, drugs and certain medications (Hockenbery & Wilson, 2010)
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Types of Seizures Absence – (3-12 years old)5-10 sec. Lip smacking, staring, twitching, brief loss of consciousness Partial (focal) – Less than 30 sec., one extremity Generalized (tonic-clonic or grand mal) Febrile Dependent Epilepsy – Chronic disorder
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Febrile Seizures Usually higher than 38.9 C or 101F Usually short in duration. Instruct parents to call 911 if longer than 5 minutes Use antipyretics and cooling measures (Mayoclinic.com, 2010)
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Nursing actions with patients with seizures Before Where there triggers such as change in temperature, light? During Maintain airway Role to side if possible Time changes started Part of the body involved and movement Incontinence After Do they remember what happened? (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Treatment for Seizures Common pharmacological choices Ativan -Lorazepan Diazepam – Diastat (can be given rectally) Phenobarbital or Phenytoin Remind parents not to stop once the seizures are controlled until directed by a doctor. Other types of treatment Vagal Nerve stimulator Ketogenic Diet (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010)
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Nursing Role: Provide adequate Nutrition Promote safety and physical mobility Maintain Skin Integrity Prevent Constipation Cerebral Palsy (Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2010) Abnormal muscle tone, lack of coordination, spasticity. Symptoms very depending on age and type of CNS injury.
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Spina Bifida Surgery to close the repair usually occurs within 24-48 hours. Some cases can be repaired in utero. May need VP shunt. Ongoing therapy Mobility-Braces, wheelchair Neurogenic bowel and bladder
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References Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K. (2010).Child Health Nursing: Partnering with Children & Families 2 nd Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson. Hockenberry, M. & Wilson, D. (2010). Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children 8 th Edition. St. Louis, MO. Elsevier. Mayoclinic.com (2010). Febrile Seizure. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/febrile- seizure/DS00346/DSECTION=symptoms Saewyc, E. (2007). Health Promotion of the Adolescent and Family. In Hockenberry, M. & Wilson, D. (Eds.) Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children 8 th Edition (pp. 811- 848). St. Louis, MO. Elsevier.
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