Condition Lookup
Category:
Neurological Disorders
Number of Conditions: 8
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Neonatal Neurology
Symptoms:
difficulty breathing; low apgar scores; abnormal muscle tone (floppiness or stiffness); seizures; lethargy; feeding difficulties
Root Cause:
Reduced oxygen or blood flow to the brain around the time of birth, leading to brain injury.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical signs (e.g., low Apgar scores), brain imaging (MRI, cranial ultrasound), EEG to detect seizures, and blood gas analysis (acidosis).
Treatment:
Therapeutic hypothermia (cooling therapy), supportive care (ventilation, fluids), seizure control, and monitoring for long-term complications.
Medications:
Phenobarbital (anticonvulsant to treat seizures), midazolam (sedative/anticonvulsant), dopamine or dobutamine (vasopressors to support blood pressure), and medications to control metabolic disturbances (e.g., sodium bicarbonate for acidosis).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1-3 per 1,000 live births in high-resource settings, with higher prevalence in low-resource settings.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged labor, umbilical cord complications (prolapse or compression), placental abruption, severe maternal hypotension, or infection.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on severity; mild cases may recover fully, while moderate-to-severe cases risk long-term complications such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or epilepsy.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cerebral palsy, developmental delays, epilepsy, vision and hearing impairments, and learning disabilities.
Neonatal seizures
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Neonatal Neurology
Symptoms:
abnormal movements (jerking, rhythmic twitching); staring spells; apnea (pauses in breathing); lip smacking; sudden muscle stiffness or floppiness; unexplained changes in heart rate or blood pressure
Root Cause:
Electrical dysfunction in the brain due to underlying causes such as hypoxia, infection, metabolic imbalances, or structural brain abnormalities.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
EEG to detect abnormal brain activity, neuroimaging (MRI or cranial ultrasound), and metabolic and infectious workup (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid tests).
Treatment:
Treat the underlying cause (e.g., infection, metabolic imbalance) and use anticonvulsant medications for seizure control.
Medications:
Phenobarbital (first-line anticonvulsant), levetiracetam (anticonvulsant), fosphenytoin or phenytoin (anticonvulsants), and midazolam (used for refractory seizures).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in approximately 1-3 per 1,000 live births, more common in preterm infants.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, hypoxia-ischemia, infections (e.g., meningitis, sepsis), intracranial hemorrhage, metabolic disturbances (e.g., hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the underlying cause and severity; some infants recover fully, while others may develop epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or cognitive impairments.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Long-term epilepsy, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Neonatal Neurology
Symptoms:
difficulty with movement or coordination; muscle stiffness (spasticity); delayed milestones; vision or hearing impairments; seizures (in severe cases)
Root Cause:
White matter brain injury due to insufficient blood flow or oxygen, typically in premature infants.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Cranial ultrasound (routine screening in preterm infants), MRI for detailed imaging of white matter damage.
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for PVL; management focuses on supportive care, physical and occupational therapy, and treating associated conditions such as spasticity or seizures.
Medications:
Baclofen (muscle relaxant for spasticity), diazepam (muscle relaxant), anticonvulsants such as levetiracetam or phenobarbital (for seizures).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 4-26% of very preterm infants (born before 32 weeks gestation).
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, low birth weight, infection or inflammation during pregnancy, hypoxia-ischemia, and maternal conditions such as preeclampsia or chorioamnionitis.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on severity; mild cases may have minimal effects, while severe cases can lead to cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or intellectual disabilities.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delays, and cognitive or behavioral challenges.
Epilepsy
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Pediatric Neurology
Symptoms:
seizures (focal or generalized); temporary confusion; staring spells; uncontrollable jerking movements; loss of consciousness or awareness; emotional or cognitive disturbances before or after a seizure
Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain caused by genetic factors, brain injury, infections, or structural abnormalities.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, medical history, neurological examination, electroencephalogram (EEG), and brain imaging (MRI or CT scan).
Treatment:
Treatment focuses on controlling seizures with anti-seizure medications, dietary therapies (e.g., ketogenic diet), vagus nerve stimulation, or, in some cases, surgery to remove seizure-triggering areas.
Medications:
Anti-seizure medications include carbamazepine (a sodium channel blocker), valproic acid (a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant), and levetiracetam (a calcium channel modulator).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1% of children globally, with most cases diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of epilepsy, prenatal or perinatal brain injury, neurodevelopmental disorders, infections, and brain tumors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment, 70-80% of children achieve seizure control. Some may outgrow the condition, while others may require lifelong management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential complications include status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), injuries from seizures, and social or developmental delays due to recurrent seizures.
Cerebral Palsy
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Pediatric Neurology
Symptoms:
motor impairment; spasticity; difficulty walking; poor coordination; speech or swallowing difficulties; seizures; cognitive impairments in some cases
Root Cause:
Non-progressive brain injury or malformation occurring during fetal development, birth, or early infancy, often due to oxygen deprivation, infection, or trauma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves clinical observation, motor function assessment, brain imaging (MRI, CT), and developmental evaluations.
Treatment:
Treatment includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, assistive devices, orthopedic surgery, and medications to reduce spasticity.
Medications:
Common medications include baclofen (muscle relaxant), botulinum toxin (muscle spasticity control), and diazepam (anti-spasticity and anxiolytic agent).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1-4 per 1,000 live births worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, low birth weight, maternal infections, difficult labor, and neonatal jaundice.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Non-progressive but varies widely; early intervention and therapy can significantly improve quality of life and functional abilities.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Joint contractures, scoliosis, difficulty with daily activities, communication challenges, and epilepsy.
Muscular Dystrophy
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Pediatric Neurology
Symptoms:
progressive muscle weakness; difficulty walking; frequent falls; trouble climbing stairs; enlarged calf muscles; respiratory or cardiac issues in advanced stages
Root Cause:
Genetic mutations leading to abnormal or missing dystrophin protein, essential for muscle function and integrity.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves genetic testing, muscle biopsy, creatine kinase (CK) blood levels, and electromyography (EMG).
Treatment:
Treatment includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory support, corticosteroids, and experimental gene therapies.
Medications:
Corticosteroids like prednisone or deflazacort are used to slow muscle degeneration. Emerging therapies like eteplirsen target specific genetic mutations.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) affects 1 in 5,000 male births; other forms vary in prevalence.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of muscular dystrophy and carrier status for genetic mutations.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive; severity depends on the type of muscular dystrophy. Early treatment can delay complications and improve quality of life.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, cardiomyopathy, scoliosis, and loss of mobility.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Neurological Disorders
Sub-category: Sleep Disorders
Symptoms:
uncomfortable sensations in the legs; urge to move the legs; worsening symptoms during rest or at night; temporary relief with movement
Root Cause:
Dysregulation of dopamine pathways in the brain; may also be related to iron deficiency or other underlying medical conditions.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on the four cardinal diagnostic criteria; may include blood tests to assess iron levels or other contributing factors.
Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications, treatment of underlying conditions (e.g., iron supplementation for deficiency), and pharmacotherapy.
Medications:
Dopamine agonists (e.g., pramipexole , ropinirole ) and alpha-2-delta calcium channel ligands (e.g., gabapentin , pregabalin ) are commonly used. Iron supplements are prescribed if deficiency is present.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 5%-10% of the general population, with higher rates in older adults and women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, pregnancy, iron deficiency, and certain medical conditions (e.g., kidney disease).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms are manageable with treatment, but chronic cases may require ongoing care.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, and reduced quality of life.
Notalgia Paresthetica
Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology
Category: Neurological Disorders
Symptoms:
itching or burning sensation in the mid-back; tingling or numbness; hyperpigmentation due to chronic scratching
Root Cause:
Nerve entrapment or irritation of the dorsal rami of spinal nerves, often linked to degenerative spinal changes.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging studies like MRI to rule out spinal pathology.
Treatment:
Topical treatments (e.g., capsaicin, corticosteroids), physical therapy, and addressing underlying spinal issues if present.
Medications:
Topical capsaicin (nerve desensitization), gabapentin or pregabalin (neuropathic pain), and sometimes local anesthetics like lidocaine .
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Unknown but believed to be underdiagnosed.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age-related spinal changes, poor posture, and repetitive strain on the upper back.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms can be controlled with treatment, but chronic cases may persist without addressing the underlying cause.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic discomfort, skin changes, and reduced quality of life due to persistent symptoms.