Encephalopathy in a 5-year-old child. What is cerebral encephalopathy in children?

04.11.2019 -

Diagnosis of “perinatal encephalopathy” or abbr. PEP in Lately is diagnosed in almost every second baby.

Such incomprehensible medical terms lead parents into a state of anxiety and fear for their child.

However, there is no need to panic. Firstly, in many cases, the baby’s parents have no real reasons for grief, because often doctors diagnose a child with a similar problem absolutely without reason. And secondly, perinatal encephalopathy, even when it is indeed confirmed symptomatically, is not one of the hopeless situations doomed to the most unfavorable consequences in its resolution.

The child's body has outstanding healing and restoration abilities. The main thing is to create the most comfortable living conditions for the baby, taking into account the characteristics of his diagnosis and ensure the implementation of proper treatment.

What is perinatal encephalopathy?

Initially, the phrase “perinatal encephalopathy” arose among medical terms in 1976. Abbreviated this diagnosis looks like an abbreviation - PEP.

PEP develops during the perinatal period - that is, from the beginning of the 28th week of pregnancy to the 7th day after the birth of the child (inclusive).

The diagnosis of perinatal encephalopathy indicates dysfunction of the central nervous system and is a kind of collective unit that combines a whole mass of a wide variety of conditions, syndromes, symptoms and diseases of the fetus or newborn.

Photos

The photos below show children with PEP

Causes of PEP

The condition of PEP develops as a result of exposure of the unborn or newborn child to any adverse factors during pregnancy, during delivery, or in the first days after birth.

Often such factors cannot be specified and identified with sufficient certainty. But most often, this factor is an insufficient flow of oxygen to the cells, tissues, and organs of the developing fetus in the womb, a child during childbirth, or a newborn. In a word - hypoxia.

To assign points on this scale, doctors evaluate: breathing, physical activity, reflex processes, baby’s cry, skin color, etc.

A low score indicates the possibility of neurological involvement.

Although even high scores often are not reliable evidence of the absence of problems in the field of neurology: AEDs, hypoxia. It happens that symptoms are detected only during the child’s infancy.

Factors that increase the risk of developing the disease

Circumstances that increase the likelihood of having a child with the disease are as follows:

the birth of a child by a woman with a number of hereditary and chronic diseases;
diseases of an infectious nature in the mother during pregnancy (so-called spot infections are especially dangerous);
improper malnutrition expectant mother during pregnancy;
the presence of bad habits of the mother during pregnancy (smoking, alcoholic drinks, drugs);
alcoholism, drug addiction of the child's father;
the birth of a child by a woman whose pregnancy was early;
Frequently a woman carrying a child is in a state of stress;
heavy loads of the expectant mother;
pathologies of pregnancy (toxicosis, threat of miscarriage, etc.);
pathology labor activity(rapid labor, weak labor);
delivery through surgery (caesarean section);
malposition;
anatomical features of the structure of the pregnant pelvis;
entanglement of the fetus with the umbilical cord;
birth of a child earlier or later;
fetal hypoxia;
exposure to negative factors on a pregnant woman environment(inhalation of gases, toxic substances, hazardous work, drug overdose, etc.).

It should be noted that this list is only approximate, since often the factor that provokes PEP cannot be established.

It happens that apparently healthy parents give birth to a child with significant impairments in the functioning of the central nervous system, although the pregnancy proceeded well.

Symptoms of perinatal encephalopathy by baby's age

In order to make a timely diagnosis, parents of a newborn child should be extremely attentive to such manifestations of the child as:

dysfunction of breast sucking;
faint cry;
throwing the head back;
copious, frequent regurgitation, especially in the form of a fountain;
inactivity, lethargy, lack of reaction to loud unexpected sounds;
bulging of the eyes when they simultaneously drop down, a stripe is noticeable above the iris white– Graefe syndrome or rising sun syndrome;
unexpected bouts of baby crying while sucking on a bottle or breast;
swelling of the fontanel;
restless sleep, difficulty falling asleep.

When the baby is 3 months old, the presence of the following manifestations will become alarming:

stiffness of movements, difficulties in flexion and extension of limbs;
constant clenching of the handles into fists, unclenching requires effort;
difficulty holding the head while lying on the stomach;
tremor of the chin, hands; shudders, convulsions, twitching;
the gaze is not focused;
monthly increase in head circumference by more than three centimeters.

Alarming symptoms 6 months of life:

lack of interest in the world (toys, people, surroundings);
lack of emotion, unsmiling;
monotony of movements.

Alarming symptoms at eight to nine (8-9) months of life:

lack of emotion, complete or partial;
lack of interest in playing with adults;
lack of independent sitting skills;
activity of only one hand when grasping.

Alarming symptoms at the end of the twelfth (12) month of life:

standing or walking on tiptoes;
pronunciation of mooing sounds;
monotonous, emotionless crying;
The main way to play is to destroy, throw
misunderstanding of simple requests and phrases.

Alarming symptoms by 3 years of life:

gait disturbance;
lack of proper coordination of movements;
lack of social and everyday skills (dressing, buttoning, tying, going to the potty, using a mug, spoon, etc.).

Periods of development of PEP

There are three periods of development of the disease:

acute (during the first 30 days of life);
recovery period (from the second month of life to one year - for children born at term and from the second month of life to two years - for children born prematurely);
period when the results are judged, here are several options for the result:
- recovery;
- developmental delay;
- vegetative-visceral disorders (impaired functioning of any internal organs);
- brain dysfunction (as a result – excessive activity, problems with concentration and perseverance);
- epilepsy;
- neurotic reactions;
- Cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy).

Diagnostic methods

Neurosonography. Provides the opportunity to study the internal structure of the brain, the condition of tissues, and identify various neoplasms or excess cerebrospinal fluid.
. Allows you to obtain data on the functional activity of the brain, the presence of pathological formations or dysfunctions.
Electroneuromyography. Allows you to check for the presence of neuromuscular diseases.
Dopplerography. Allows you to evaluate the characteristics of blood flow in the vessels of the brain.

Infrequently in pediatric neurology such examination methods as CT scan, Magnetic resonance imaging. An examination by an ophthalmologist will help determine the presence of the disease indirectly.

Late consequences of the disease

The consequences of AEDs may appear much later than in infancy. Thus, preschoolers who were previously not correctly diagnosed with PEP or were undertreated:

suffer from speech delay, stuttering;
hyperactivity();
lethargy;
increased excitability;
irritability;
insomnia;
attacks of rage, aggression and hysteria.

IN school years These children may develop:

headaches;
violations of writing, reading, concentration;
fast fatiguability;
restlessness;
low level of development of thinking, memory, and, as a result, poor academic performance.

Treatment

During the acute course of the disease, newborns with pathologies of high or moderate severity Inpatient treatment is indicated; for newborns with a mild course of the disease, treatment at home is indicated.

The psychological attitude of adults surrounding the baby becomes important in the treatment of PEP.

An exceptionally friendly environment, full of love and care for the baby, should prevail in the house. This is extremely important for an infant with PEP symptoms. Often used as treatment methods:

physiotherapeutic procedures;
massages;
baths with sea salt or with medicinal infusions and decoctions (pine needles, oregano, string, chamomile, oats).

Doctors recommend taking herbs and medicines ( "Novo-Passit", "Elkar", "Glycine") With sedative effect, vitamin, strengthening syrups. Also popular among doctors are drugs that activate cerebral circulation:

"Hopantenic acid"
"Piracetam"
"Vinpocetine"
"Actovegin"
"Pyritinol."

Homeopathic and osteopathic treatment has a great effect.

Encephalopathy, unspecified, is a class VI disease (diseases of the nervous system), which is included in block G90-G99 (other disorders of the nervous system) and has disease code G93.4.

Description of the disease

Encephalopathy is a non-localized disease of the brain. Expressed by death nerve cells due to circulatory arrest, oxygen starvation and disease.

To diagnose diseases, specialists need to find out the pronounced location of the lesion, the localization of the disease in the gray or white matter of the brain, as well as the degree of impaired blood flow. If the cause of the disease cannot be established, then encephalopathy is called unspecified (idiopathic, i.e., occurring independently). The most common is vascular.

Causes of the disease

Encephalopathy, unspecified (ICD-10 diagnosis code G93.4) is classified into two types: congenital and acquired. Congenital is divided into prenatal (when damage occurs in the womb) and perinatal (in the event that the damaging factor acted in the last weeks before the birth of the baby or immediately after it). This type of pathology is caused by:

defects consisting in abnormal processes of brain development;
metabolic disorders in the body caused by genetic factors;
if during pregnancy the baby was affected by a damaging factor;
traumatic brain injury that occurs in a baby during childbirth.

Mitochondrial encephalopathy

Mitochondrial unspecified encephalopathy in infants is classified as a separate group congenital diseases. It is formed as a result of disturbances in the functions and structures of mitochondria.

Acquired encephalopathy

Acquired encephalopathy is classified into several types due to various damaging factors:

Post-traumatic is the result of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (for example, a fall from a height, head injuries in athletes, road accidents, etc.). With this type of disease, various lesions are observed nerve tissue frontal and atrophic changes (shrinkage and shrinkage of the brain), hydrocephalus.
Toxic encephalopathy unspecified in adults occurs due to poisoning by various toxins: alcohol, high doses of pesticides, heavy metals, gasoline, etc. Mainly manifested by various types of nervous and mental disorders(insomnia, anxiety, irritability, hallucinations, prolonged headaches, etc.).
Radiation is the result of ionizing radiation to the body during radiation sickness. With this pathology, various neurological disorders are observed.
Metabolic occurs due to metabolic disorders against the background of diseases of internal organs: liver, kidneys, pancreas. Manifests itself depending on the properties of the underlying pathology.
Vascular encephalopathy. The cause may be an addiction to bad habits, old injuries, atherosclerosis, diabetes, radiation exposure and other factors that cause cerebral hypertension. Signs of this type of disease are: loss of structure and integrity of consciousness, frequent headaches, depressive states, partial loss of own memory.
Hypoxic is the result of prolonged oxygen starvation. Leads to serious neuralgic complications.

And these are not all varieties.

In children

There is unspecified encephalopathy in children. Thus, as a result of traumatic exposures in the womb, infections or other causes, residual encephalopathy is diagnosed in older children. The venous form is a particular variety of the vascular form, which manifests itself as stagnation venous blood in the brain due to disruption of its outflow.

Metabolic encephalopathy is divided into several other types:

Bilirubin is found only in newborn babies. Develops against the background of incompatibility between the blood of mother and fetus, as well as due to infectious toxoplasmosis, jaundice, diabetes mellitus at the mother's. Manifested by general weakness, decreased muscle tone, poor appetite, belching, vomiting.
Gaye-Wernicke encephalopathy occurs due to vitamin B1 deficiency. Side effects may develop due to alcohol addiction, severe vitamin deficiencies, HIV, malignant neoplasms. Mainly manifested by hallucinogenic syndrome and anxiety states.
Leukoencephalopathy is manifested by a violation white matter brain The disease is progressive. Appears after an infection due to a decrease in protective functions body.
Atherosclerotic disease develops mainly due to disturbances in lipid metabolism in the body. It manifests itself as increased fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, sleep disorders, and isolation.

Scientists say that the cause of any type of unspecified encephalopathy is primarily brain hypoxia (lack of oxygen). This happens due to the fact that the organ begins to be less well washed with blood, excessive venous accumulations, swelling, and hemorrhages appear. Anoxic encephalopathy can occur due to a low supply of nutrients to neurons and ultimately develop into a separate disease. Metabolic encephalopathy is a special case of toxic encephalopathy, when toxins are not eliminated and, as a result, penetrate into the blood.

There are several stages of development of this disease. Experts highlight the following:

In the case of the initial or first stage, the patient’s memory decreases, he is irritable, has trouble falling asleep and sleeps anxiously, and also suffers from headaches.
In the second case, the nature of the disease is more pronounced, all symptoms worsen. In addition to headaches and sleep disturbances, the patient may complain of apathy and lethargy.
At the third stage, serious changes in the brain are diagnosed, there are paresis, speech is impaired, and vascular parkinsonism develops.

Symptoms

The manifestations of unspecified encephalopathy vary widely depending on the severity, type, age and treatment used. As a rule, in the first stages of the disease there are sleep disturbances, lethargy, daytime sleepiness, absent-mindedness, tearfulness, lack of interest, increased fatigue, decreased memory and thinking abilities. May also begin to appear painful sensations, noises and ringing in the head, decreased hearing and visual functions, mood swings, lack of coordination, irritability.

What symptoms occur as the disease progresses?

In advanced cases, symptoms can progress, resulting in parkinsonism (slow movements combined with trembling of the limbs) and falsebulbar palsy (manifested by impaired speech, chewing and swallowing functions). Also, do not forget that mental disorders (depression, suicidal thoughts, phobias) may develop. Let's look at how unspecified encephalopathy G 93.4 is diagnosed in infants and adults.

Diagnosis of encephalopathy, unspecified

In order to correctly establish the form of the disease, the doctor must carefully analyze the patient's medical history for traumatic brain injury, intoxication, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, pancreas disease, hypertension, exposure to radiation, as well as acquired or genetic disorders metabolism.

To make a diagnosis of encephalopathy, unspecified G 93.4, the following procedures are performed:

General blood analysis.
General urine analysis.
Various metabolic tests (liver enzyme levels, glucose, electrolytes, ammonia, lactic acid, blood oxygen).
Measuring blood pressure levels.
CT and MRI (to detect brain tumors, various anatomical anomalies, infections).
Creatinine.
Drug and toxin levels (cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines).
Doppler ultrasound.
EEG or encephalogram (to detect brain dysfunction).
Autoantibody test.

These are not all the tests necessary to make a diagnosis. Only the attending physician can order certain tests based on the patient's symptoms and medical history.

Treatment of encephalopathy

Treatment of unspecified encephalopathy is aimed at eliminating the underlying causes and symptoms that gave rise to development of this disease. Conservative and medicinal methods are mainly used for treatment.

If the disease is acute form, then treatment is primarily aimed at reducing intracranial pressure and eliminating seizures. To do this, artificial ventilation of the lungs, extrarenal blood purification are used, and nutrients are administered through a dropper.

Medicines

Subsequently, the patient is prescribed medications that he must take for several months:

various lipotropic medicines that help normalize cholesterol and fat metabolism (dietary supplements with choline, methionine, carnitine, lecithin, “Lipostabil”);
drugs that prevent blood clots (Ginkgo Biloba, Aspirin, Cardiomagnyl);
angioprotectors prescribed for various heart diseases to normalize the walls of blood vessels, the movement and outflow of venous blood (Troxerutin, Detralex, Indovazin);
neuroprotectors for nourishing nerve tissue (B vitamins, Piracetam;
tranquilizers and sedatives for dilution of rapid nerve impulses in affected neurons (“Sibazon”);
vitamins and amino acids;
various performance stimulants.

Also, for a speedy recovery, physiotherapeutic procedures, acupuncture, walks, gymnastics, massage, and a certain rest regimen are prescribed. What is the prognosis for a diagnosis of encephalopathy, unspecified?

Disease prognosis

Any type of encephalopathy is characterized by vomiting, nausea, dizziness and headaches. If it happened heavy defeat brain (or its swelling), then the disease develops very acutely, dizziness appears, very severe headache, anxiety, visual impairment and much more.

Typical complications of encephalopathy of unspecified origin are:

coma;
paralysis;
convulsions.

epilepsy;
paralysis, various types of movement disorders;
loss of brain function, memory, intelligence;
emotional instability, depression, mood swings;
disability.

Is not inflammatory disease brain, it is associated with impaired blood supply, reduction and destruction of brain cells. It can be an acquired disease, as a result of birth trauma, hypoxia, which leads to serious brain damage, but most often congenital pathology. This disease is diagnosed in approximately 50% of infants. More severe forms PPCNS occurs in only 10% of newborns. More vulnerable are congenital encephalopathy in infants, complicated during childbirth (birth trauma, placental abruption, abnormal position of the fetus, large head in a child, narrow pelvis in a woman). It can be suspected for the first time immediately after the birth of a child. At birth internal organs and the central nervous system is not fully developed; the development of all systems requires a period of time. There are several forms of encephalopathy.

Perinatal encephalopathy in newborns.

It is considered from the 28th week of pregnancy to the 8th day of the child’s life. It can occur if (causes of encephalopathy):

The child's mother is too young or old.
Abortion.
Miscarriages.
Infertility treatment.
Mom's diabetes.
Mother's heart defects.
Mom's flu.
Smoking, alcohol.
Risk of miscarriage.
Work in hazardous production.
Taking medications.
Fast (less than 6 hours, slow more than 24 hours) labor.
C-section.
Premature placental abruption.
Umbilical cord entanglement, umbilical cord prolapse.
Multiple birth.

Periods of perinatal encephalopathy in newborns.

The acute period is 7-10 days to a month.
Early recovery period up to 4 – 6 months.
Late recovery period up to 1 – 2 years.

In the acute period observed: lethargy, muscle hypotonia, decreased reflexes (sluggish sucking) or, conversely, hyperexcitability of the nervous system (shallow sleep, trembling of the chin and limbs), throwing the head back.

Early period of perinatal encephalopathy in newborns, when general cerebral symptoms decrease, and focal brain lesions appear. Muscle hypotonicity or hypertonicity appears. Paresis and paralysis, hyperkinesis are possible (enlargement of the head, expansion of the venous network on the forehead, temples, enlargement and bulging of the fontanel. Marbling and pallor of the skin, cold hands and feet, changes in the gastrointestinal tract intestinal tract(constipation, increased gas production), heart and breathing rhythm disturbances.

Late period of perinatal encephalopathy in newborns, muscle tone and other functions gradually normalize. Dynamic development occurs in the central nervous system and psyche of the child. Pre-speech and speech development is being formed. At this age, you can already notice that the child is lagging behind; those reflexes and skills that should be there, or they are not there, or they are very weak, are sharply delayed. There may be persistent spastic syndrome or, conversely, muscle hypotension.

Hypoxic-ischemic damage to the nervous system.

One of the forms of encephalopathy caused by fetal hypoxia ( oxygen starvation brain cells). With chronic intrauterine hypoxia they suffer, the capillaries of the brain grow slowly and become more penetrating. During childbirth, this leads to asphyxia (severe respiratory and circulatory disorders). Therefore, asphyxia of a newborn at birth is a consequence of fetal hypoxia. Several degrees of hypoxic-ischemic form can be distinguished infant encephalopathy:

Depression and excitation of the central nervous system, which lasts up to 7 days after birth.
After 7 days, convulsions are added, increased intracranial pressure, disturbance of heart and breathing rhythm.
Severe convulsive condition, high intracranial pressure.

Mixed lesion disease.

In addition to hypoxic-ischemic damage to the central nervous system, intracranial hemorrhages (not traumatic) are added; the severity depends on where the hemorrhage occurred.

Traumatic damage to the central nervous system.

Damage spinal cord during childbirth, this can happen if the fetus is large or incorrectly positioned. When it is easier to remove the head and shoulders, when the head is diligently turned when it is removed, or when it is pulled behind the head, the obstetrician performs these manipulations to reduce the child’s hypoxia. It all depends on the experience of the doctor. Damage may also occur during caesarean section with a “cosmetic incision” that is not sufficient to remove the child’s head. May cause damage artificial ventilation lungs in the first 2 days, especially in children and those with low weight.

Metabolic disorders.

Alcohol syndrome, nicotine, drug disorders occur as a result of the cessation of the intake of alcohol, nicotine, and drugs.

Intrauterine infection.

Depends on the type and severity of the disease. Such children are often born in a state of asphyxia, with low weight, an enlarged liver, developmental defects, and there may be a convulsive syndrome.

In the maternity hospital, neonatologists examine newborns and identify perinatal damage to the central nervous system and prescribe treatment. But this treatment must be continued at home. What should alert the mother: frequent restlessness of the child, regurgitation, trembling of the chin, arms and legs, freezing of the child in one position, unusual eye movements, fast growth head more than 1 cm per week, enlargement of the edges of the fontanel and its bulging.

If your baby has something, you need to consult a neurologist, the sooner the better, and start treatment for full recovery your baby's health.

Treatment of encephalopathy in infants.

Treatment is usually complex and begins after full examination babies, for this you need to get tested:

Take examinations:

NSG (neurosonography)
EEG (encephaloelectrography)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Cerebrospinal fluid
Neurologist
Oculist

At proper treatment and timely diagnosis infant encephalopathy It is well treated, treatment is carried out both at home and in the hospital, it all depends on the severity of the disease, but treatment is carried out over a long period of time and in courses. Drugs are prescribed to restore the structure of the brain, improve blood supply to the brain, B vitamins (Magne B6, Magnelis), sedatives, drugs that treat symptoms: for seizures, anticonvulsants (Konvulex, Finlepsin, Depakine), drugs that relieve muscle hypertonicity, and also drugs that treat movement disorders. Other drugs can be prescribed intramuscularly and intravenously. Electrophoresis is well used for the treatment of encephalopathy (if there is no history of seizures), neurologists like to prescribe physical therapy, massage, herbal medicine. One of important principles treatment is: with alternating sleep and wakefulness, mandatory walks on fresh air, correct balanced diet. If you follow all the principles of treatment and regularly visit a neurologist, pediatrician, or physiotherapist, most children have a chance of a full recovery, without consequences in adulthood.

With a diagnosis of encephalopathy, children are registered at a dispensary for further observation at least twice a year.

Consequences of encephalopathy in a newborn.

At big defeat brain cells, poor and untimely treatment, complications arise:

Neuroses.
Epilepsy.
Possible depression.
Strabismus.
Migraine.
Hydrocephalus.
Schizophrenia in adolescence.
Fainting.
Dizziness.

Smirnova Olga Leonidovna

Neuropathologist, education: First Moscow State University medical University named after I.M. Sechenov. Work experience 20 years.

Articles written

Encephalopathy is a group of diseases that affect a child’s brain. They are non-inflammatory in nature and are associated with damage to brain cells and disruption of their normal functioning.

The effectiveness of treatment of the disease depends on many reasons: on the severity and degree of neglect of the lesion, on the presence of other diseases, especially systemic and severe, chronic ones, the age of the patient and his susceptibility to medications.

Consequences

In most cases, with proper and timely treatment, the prognosis for the child’s condition is positive. It is almost always possible to cope with the disease, but children with such lesions must remain under medical supervision to prevent complications or relapses.

In the absence of treatment, incorrect or untimely prescribed intervention, the following consequences may appear in adulthood:

Complications in the form epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is the most common consequence congenital encephalopathy.
Paresis or paralysis, mostly flaccid.
Emotional problems, mainly manifested by mood swings from normal condition to affected and then to depression.
The development of migraines, sometimes very severe and prolonged.
Memory impairment.
Decrease in intellectual level.

Predictions are based on an assessment of the severity of the condition and how well the child's body responds to the steps taken in treatment.

Encephalopathies are diseases and pathological conditions in which brain damage occurs. They are caused by the death of nerve cells as a result of impaired blood supply and oxygen deficiency of the brain tissue. According to medical statistics, encephalopathy in children is becoming more common nowadays, causing real panic among parents. Although the disease is quite serious, timely treatment often leads to full recovery child. If a cure cannot be achieved, doctors can significantly alleviate the baby’s condition and reduce the risk of severe complications.

There are many types of this disease, each of which has its own cause and symptoms. In children, perinatal and residual encephalopathy are most common.

Perinatal encephalopathy in children: causes and symptoms

Perinatal encephalopathy (PEP) is a variety of brain lesions that occur during the fetal development of the baby, as well as during childbirth. There are many reasons for the appearance of encephalopathy in children. The most common risk factors are the following conditions:

Pregnancy too early;
Hereditary diseases and metabolic disorders;
Acute infections or chronic diseases women;
Pathological course of pregnancy (threat of miscarriage, early or late toxicosis);
Poor nutrition;
Unfavorable environment and harmful effects environment;
Application of some medicines;
Immaturity or prematurity of the fetus with functional impairments in the first day of its life;
Pathological course of the labor process (weakness of labor, rapid labor);
Injuries during childbirth.

In many cases, the cause of perinatal encephalopathy in children cannot be determined.

Since this disease covers a very wide range of pathologies and nervous disorders, its signs are quite diverse. Experts identify the most typical symptoms of encephalopathy in infants:

Late or weak first cry at birth;
Lack of sucking reflex;
Anxiety, frequent crying, sleep disturbance;
Heartbeat problems;
Increased muscle tone or excessive lethargy;
Throwing back the head, reflexive shudders;
Frequent regurgitation during and after meals;
Strabismus, goggle-eyedness.

In some cases, the signs of encephalopathy in children are mild, however, such children also need close attention from a doctor, and sometimes special therapy.

Treatment and consequences of perinatal encephalopathy

Treatment of encephalopathy in children is a rather lengthy process. The doctor selects treatment methods and medications individually for each child, taking into account the severity of the disease, concomitant pathologies, and general condition.

The main methods used in the treatment of the disease are: drug therapy, blockade injection, vascular, antioxidant and metabolite therapy. In severe cases, specialists treat with stem cells.

Physiotherapeutic treatment, manual and reflexology are successfully used, physiotherapy. The use of phytotherapeutic methods in the treatment of encephalopathy in children makes it possible to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Children are prescribed herbal infusions of dandelion, clover, mint, St. John's wort, knotweed, plantain, sweet clover, and lemon balm.

Correctly chosen therapeutic tactics and constant monitoring of the child by a doctor help to minimize possible consequences encephalopathies, among which the most common diseases and conditions are early osteochondrosis, neurocircular dystonia, scoliosis, hypertension, severe migraines, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, fine motor skills, vision problems.

Residual encephalopathy in children

Sometimes signs of perinatal encephalopathy do not appear for a long time. Then organic damage to the brain becomes noticeable, which is the beginning of the development of residual encephalopathy. In addition, head injuries can trigger this disease. toxic poisoning, increased arterial pressure, some diseases, vegetative-vascular dystonia, taking medications, etc.

It should be noted that structural and functional disorders of the brain have a very diverse clinical picture. The most common symptoms of encephalopathy in children can be identified:

Frequent fainting, migraines, paresis (partial loss or impairment motor function muscles);
Constant fatigue, lethargy;
Memory impairment, psychological disorders;
Sudden changes in emotional state;
Nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief.

The specialist chooses treatment methods based on the cause of the disease. In the treatment of residual encephalopathy in children, as a rule, symptomatic drugs that improve cerebral circulation are used. Depending on the manifestations of the disease, the doctor may prescribe anticonvulsant or diuretic medications or vitamin complexes to the small patient. 4.6 out of 5 (32 votes)