Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Pediatric Neurology
Number of Conditions: 3
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.