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Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Pediatric Neurological Disorders. Increased Intracranial Pressure. What is it? Increased ICP results from a disturbance in the auto-regulation of the pressure exerted by the blood, brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and other space-occupying fluid/mass within the central nervous system.

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Pediatric Neurological Disorders

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  1. Pediatric Neurological Disorders

  2. Increased Intracranial Pressure

  3. What is it? Increased ICP results from a disturbance in the auto-regulation of the pressure exerted by the blood, brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and other space-occupying fluid/mass within the central nervous system. Increased ICP is defined as pressure sustained at 20 mm Hg or higher. Increased Intracranial Pressure (IICP)

  4. Increased Intracranial Pressure • Overproduction or malabsorption of CSF • Space occupying lesion – tumor, hematoma • Head Trauma • Infection What Causes it?

  5. Clinical Manifestations: Infant • Irritability and restlessness; high-pitched cry • Full to bulging fontanels; Increase in FOC • Poor feeding, poor sucking • Prominence of frontal portion of the skull with distension of superficial scalp veins • Nuchal rigidity • Nonreactive; unequal pupils • Seizures (late sign)

  6. Clinical Manifestations: Child • Headache • Visual disturbances - diplopia • Nausea and Vomiting • Dizziness or vertigo • Irritability, lethargy, mood swings • Ataxia, lower extremity spasticity • Nuchal rigidity • Deterioration in school performance, or cognitive ability

  7. Severe Manifestations of IICP • Widened pulse pressure • Bradycardia • Irregular respirations • Abnormal Posturing • Decorticate (rigid flexion-upper arms extension of legs) • Decerebrate (rigid extension- arms with internal rotation of arms and wrists)

  8. Diagnosis • Blood studies • CT or MRI • EEG • Lumbar puncture – may or may not be done Why?

  9. What is the purpose of the following? Medications • Corticosteroid (Decadron) • Osmotic diuretic (Mannitol) • Sedation

  10. Nursing Care • Try to keep coughing, sneezing, vomiting to a minimum • When burping infant do not put pressure on the jugular vein • Monitor IV rate administration • Place child in semi-fowlers position • Monitor VS, Neuro VS, behavior • Assess for increases in ICP • Assess I&O, Maintain optimal hydration • Decrease stimuli, decrease pain or crying with activities • Organize care, Educate parents

  11. Ask Yourself What B/P would indicate a neurological problem?

  12. Review • What emergency equipment should the nurse have on hand at all times for a child with IICP?

  13. Critical Thinking What would you expect as a first sign of IICP in an infant? What would you expect as an initial sign of IICP in a 10 year old child?

  14. Spina Bifida Meningocele Meningomyelocele

  15. What is the difference? • Spina Bifida • Meningocele: • Myelomeningocele:

  16. What nutritional supplement is encouraged for women during childbearing age? Why?

  17. Clinical Manifestations: • Visualization of the defect • Motor sensory, reflex and sphincter abnormalities • Flaccid paralysis of legs- absent sensation and reflexes, or spasticity • Malformation • Abnormalities in bladder and bowel function

  18. Diagnostic Tests: Prenatal detection • Ultrasound • Alpha-fetoprotein Following Birth: • NB assessment • X-ray of spine • X-ray of skull

  19. Goals of Care • Prevention of _____ to the sac preoperatively • Prevention of _________. How are these goals accomplished?

  20. Nursing Intervention • Keep sac moist & sterile • Meticulous skin care • Protect from feces or urine • Maintain NB in prone position with legs in abduction • Keep in isolette

  21. Post-Op Nursing Interventions • Assess surgical site • Monitor VS and neuro VS • Institute latex precautions • Encourage contact with parents/care givers • Positioning • Skin Care

  22. Nursing Interventions cont... • Antibiotic therapy • Prevent UTI • Education • Emphasize the normal, positive abilities of the child

  23. Critical Thinking • Would you expect a 5-year-old with repaired meningomyelocele to have bladder/bowel sphincter control? • Which type of neural tube defect is most likely to have no outward signs or symptoms?

  24. Hydrocephalus

  25. Etiology and Pathophysiology: Imbalance between the production and absorption of cerebral spinal fluid causing Accumulation of fluid in the ventricles

  26. Clinical Manifestations • Infants • Increase in FOC • Frontal enlargement or bossing • Head larger than face • Translucent skin • Wide palpable suture lines • Bulging Fontanels • Eyes -wide bridge between • Behavior changes

  27. Clinical Manifestations • Children: • Depressed eyes; strabismus • “Setting Sun” Eyes • Pupils sluggish, with unequal response to light • Headache with nausea and vomiting that may be projectile • S & S of IICP

  28. Diagnostic Tests • MRI/ CT scan • Skull X-ray • FOC • Transillumination **lumbar puncture very dangerous and usually NOT done

  29. Goal of treatment • Prevent further CSF accumulation • Reduce disability and death Bypass the blockage and drain the fluid from the ventricles to an area where it may be reabsorbed into the circulation

  30. Interventions: Surgical • Ventricular endoscopy or laser • Shunting to bypass the point of obstruction by shunting the fluid to another point of absorption • Atrioventricular • Ventricular peritoneal

  31. What are the main Complications of Shunts • I____________ • B___________ • S___________

  32. Nursing Interventions • Monitor VS and neurological status • Assess functioning of the shunt • Assess operative site • Assess for infection • Positioning of the patient • Activity of patient • Promote nutrition • Avoid constipation • Education • Wear helmet

  33. Critical Thinking • What is the most important assessment data on a infant who has just had a shunt placement for hydrocephalus? • What is the most important teaching for the parents or caregivers?

  34. Cerebral palsy

  35. Cerebral Palsy (CP) What is wrong? What is it associated with? • Preterm • Birth asphyxia • Low Apgar • Poor feeder • Weak cry as a newborn • Shaken baby syndrome • Intrauterine anoxia – placental perfusion decreased

  36. Assessment Determining diagnosis or extent of involvement in an infant can be difficult –may be recognizable only when child is older and attempts more complex motor skills, such as walking • Jittery (easily startled) • Weak cry (difficult to comfort) • Experience difficulty with eating (muscle control of tongue and swallow reflex) • Uncoordinated or involuntary movements (twitching and spasticity) • Abnormal newborn reflexes – prolonged

  37. Assessment • Alterations in muscle tone • Abnormal resistance • Keeps legs extended or crossed • Rigid and unbending • Abnormal posture • Do not crawl on knees, scoot on back • When try to walk, walk with toes first as in plantar flexion • Scissoring and extension (legs feet in plantar flexion) • Persistent fetal position (>5 months)

  38. Diagnostic Tests: • EEG, CT, or MRI • Electrolyte levels and metabolic workup • Neurologic examination • Developmental assessment

  39. Maintain Mobility and Prevent disuse Maintain nutrition Maximize Communication ability Maintain Growth and Development Nursing Care Prevent injury and provide safety

  40. Complications • Increased incidence of respiratory infection • Muscle contractures • Skin breakdown • Injury

  41. Head Injuries

  42. Shaken Baby Syndrome • The subdural vessels are torn as the brain moves within the skull, as the brain moves over the skull floor bruising occurs, and the brain stem my become herniated with direct trauma

  43. Shaken Baby Syndrome • Maintain airway to prevent hypoxia and further brain damage • Nurse must report to child protective service • Nursing care of a child with a brain injury is similar to care of child with IIP

  44. When is the child most likely to exhibit signs of an subdural hematoma? • What additional organ may have hemorrhages in the child with shaken baby syndrome?

  45. Seizure Disorders

  46. Seizures • What are they? • Brief convulsive behavior caused by abnormal discharge of neurons. • The result of these discharges is involuntary contraction of muscles • When numerous nerve cells fire abnormally at the same time, a seizure may result.

  47. Clinical Manifestations of General Seizure/ Tonic - Clonic • Onset is abrupt. Usually less than 5 minutes duration • Tonic Phase: - Usually lasts 10-20 seconds - Child loses consciousness - Jaw clenches shut, abdomen and chest become rigid and may emit a cry or grunt as air is forced through the taut diaphragm. - Pale - Eyes roll upward or deviate to one side. - Arms flexed; legs, head, neck extended - increased salivation and loss of swallowing reflex

  48. Clinical Manifestations of General Seizure/ Tonic - Clonic • Clonic Phase • Violent jerky movements as the trunk and extremities undergo rhythmic contraction and relaxation • Respirations are irregular and may have stridor • May foam at the mouth • Incontinent of urine and feces • Afterwards • Drowsy and sleep afterwards

  49. Diagnostic Tests • EEG • CT, MRI • Lumbar puncture • CBC • Metabolic screen for glucose, phosphorus and lead levels

  50. Goal of Care: Maintain Patent Airway Ensure Safety Administer medications Emotional support

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