What is cerebral palsy in children?
Cerebral palsy is a group of non progressive disorders of movement and posture caused by injury to the developing brain in the antenatal perinatal or early postnatal period.
What are the most common causes of cerebral palsy?
Common causes include prematurity birth asphyxia intrauterine infections placental insufficiency and postnatal infections like meningitis.
Which type of cerebral palsy is most common?
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type accounting for about 70 to 80 percent of cases.
What is the earliest sign of cerebral palsy?
Delayed developmental milestones especially delayed motor milestones are usually the earliest sign.
How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?
Diagnosis is mainly clinical supported by MRI brain which helps identify the underlying brain injury.
What is the main treatment for cerebral palsy?
Physiotherapy is the cornerstone of management along with medications like baclofen botulinum toxin and supportive therapies.
What are CNS infections in children?
CNS infections include infections of the brain and meninges such as meningitis encephalitis brain abscess and tubercular meningitis.
What are common causes of meningitis in children?
Common causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae while neonates commonly have Group B Streptococcus and E coli.
What are the classic symptoms of meningitis in children?
Symptoms include fever neck stiffness vomiting altered sensorium and in neonates poor feeding and bulging fontanelle.
How is meningitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is confirmed by lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis showing characteristic changes in cells protein and glucose.
What is the treatment of bacterial meningitis in children?
Treatment includes intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or cefotaxime with vancomycin and supportive care.
What is encephalitis and its most common cause?
Encephalitis is inflammation of brain tissue most commonly caused by viruses especially herpes simplex virus.
What is the first line treatment for HSV encephalitis?
Intravenous acyclovir is the first line treatment and should be started immediately.
What is a brain abscess in children?
Brain abscess is a localized collection of pus in the brain usually due to infection from ear sinus or congenital heart disease.
What is the typical imaging finding in brain abscess?
CT or MRI shows a ring enhancing lesion with surrounding edema.
What is tubercular meningitis in children?
It is a chronic form of meningitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis characterized by gradual onset cranial nerve palsies and hydrocephalus.
What are CSF findings in tubercular meningitis?
CSF shows lymphocytic predominance very high protein and low glucose levels.
What complications can occur in CNS infections?
Complications include seizures hydrocephalus hearing loss cognitive impairment and death if untreated.
What is the role of steroids in meningitis?
Steroids like dexamethasone reduce inflammation and complications especially in bacterial meningitis.
How can CNS infections in children be prevented?
Prevention includes vaccination hygiene early treatment of infections and antenatal care.
