Pediatric Neurology and Infectious Moci Concepts - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the chapter notes.

Seizure

A sudden abnormal discharge of neurons in the cerebral cortex that alters self-function or behavior.

Tonic-clonic seizure

Generalized seizure with muscle stiffening (tonic) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic); may have an aura and a postictal period.

Absence seizure

A brief lapse in awareness with staring spells, usually lasting a few seconds and without dramatic motor convulsions.

Atonic (akinetic) seizure

Sudden loss of muscle tone leading to drop attacks; helmet use may be recommended to prevent injury.

Myoclonic seizure

Brief, involuntary muscle jerks, often affecting the arms or legs.

Status epilepticus

Continuous or repeated seizures longer than 30 minutes (or a single seizure lasting >5 minutes with no recovery) requiring urgent treatment.

Aura

A warning sensation (visual, auditory, olfactory, or sensory change) that precedes a seizure.

Postictal phase

Recovery period after a seizure during which the patient may be drowsy, confused, or disoriented.

EEG

Electroencephalogram; a test that records brain electrical activity to diagnose and classify seizures.

CCTV monitoring

Continuous video-EEG monitoring with a video camera to correlate clinical events with EEG activity.

Seizure precautions

Safety measures during seizures: turn patient to the side, protect head, do not restrain, pad rails, call for help.

Ketogenic diet

High-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet that induces ketosis and can reduce seizure frequency in some children.

Vagal nerve stimulator (VNS)

Implanted device delivering pulses to the vagus nerve; magnets can be used to extend stimulation during seizures.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)

Surgical procedure that cuts certain dorsal nerve roots to reduce spasticity in CP; varies in effectiveness.

Baclofen

GABA-B receptor agonist used to treat spasticity; can be oral or via intrathecal pump; overdose resembles opioid toxicity.

Cerebral palsy (CP)

Nonprogressive but permanent motor disorder due to brain injury, with multiple types of movement impairment.

Spastic CP

CP subtype with increased tone and hyperreflexia, leading to stiff movements.

Dyskinetic (athetoid) CP

CP subtype with abnormal involuntary movements.

Hypotonic CP

CP subtype with low muscle tone and delayed motor milestones.

Ataxic CP

CP subtype with poor balance and coordination.

Mixed CP

CP with features of more than one motor type.

Prenatal risk factors (CP)

Brain injury factors before birth (e.g., infections, malformations, multiple gestation).

Perinatal risk factors (CP)

Birth-related injuries (e.g., prolonged labor, asphyxia, cord issues) contributing to CP.

Postnatal risk factors (CP)

Infections or injuries after birth (e.g., meningitis, head injury, kernicterus) contributing to CP.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord; can be bacterial or viral.

Bacterial meningitis

More virulent and severe; risk of deafness, brain damage, or death; treated with antibiotics.

Viral meningitis

Usually less severe and self-limiting; treated supportively; antibiotics often stopped if viral.

Hib meningitis

Meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b; vaccine greatly reduced its incidence.

Pneumococcal meningitis

Meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Meningococcal meningitis

Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis; can cause purpuric non-blanching rash and high mortality.

Nuchal rigidity

Stiff neck; a hallmark sign of meningitis.

Purpuric rash

Non-blanching purplish rash; indicates possible meningococcal meningitis; test by applying a cup to see if it blanches.

Lumbar puncture (LP)

Spinal tap to obtain CSF for analysis (cell count, cultures, glucose, protein) in meningitis/encephalitis workup.

Kernig's sign

Meningitis sign: pain or resistance when the knee is extended with hips flexed.

Brudzinski sign

Meningitis sign: involuntary flexion of hips/knees when the neck is passively flexed.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of brain tissue; often viral; presents with fever, altered consciousness, aphasia, seizures.

Acyclovir

Antiviral used to treat certain encephalitides, especially HSV encephalitis.

Concussion

Mild traumatic brain injury; managed with graded return-to-play or cognitive rest protocols.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Scale for level of consciousness; pediatric version is modified to assess children’s responses.

Coca/COAT test

Child-oriented orientation and memory assessment used after head injury to monitor recovery.

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Elevated pressure inside the skull; signs include altered LOC, pupil changes, headache, vomiting.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) long-term effects

Possible cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes; risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) with repeated injuries.

Meningitis prevention basics

Vaccines (HIB, pneumococcal, meningococcal), hand hygiene, isolation, and exposure prophylaxis.