This is not an inflammatory disease of the 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 disorders, but most often it is a congenital pathology. This disease is diagnosed in approximately 50% of infants. More severe forms PPCNS occurs in only 10% of newborns. More vulnerable: Congenital encephalopathy in infants, complicated during childbirth (birth trauma, placental abruption, abnormal position of the fetus, large head in the child, narrow pelvis in a woman). It can be suspected for the first time immediately after the birth of a child. At birth, the internal organs, including the central nervous system, are 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 nervous system(shallow sleep, trembling of the chin and limbs), throws his 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, is gradually returning to normal muscle tone and other functions. Dynamic development occurs in the central nervous system and psyche of the child. The formation of pre-speech and speech development. 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 of 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:

1. Depression and excitation of the central nervous system, which lasts up to 7 days after birth.
2. After 7 days, convulsions, increased intracranial pressure, and disturbances in heart and respiratory rhythm are added.
3. Heavy convulsive state, 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 movement eye, 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, it begins after a complete examination of the baby, for this you need to pass tests:

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, as well as 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, and herbal medicine. One of the important principles of treatment is: alternating sleep and wakefulness, mandatory walks in the fresh air, proper balanced diet. Subject to all principles of treatment, visiting regularly neurologist, pediatrician, 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.

With severe damage to brain cells, poor or untimely treatment, complications arise:

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

Encephalopathy in children. Visit to a pediatric neurologist

Encephalopathy is an organic diffuse damage to brain cells and tissues. Encephalopathy in children develops as a result of pathological effects on the nervous tissue of the brain due to various diseases internal organs,pathological conditions. Death occurs nerve cells and degenerative processes of the brain develop.
Encephalopathy in children leads to disruption of blood supply to the brain and, as a consequence, to insufficient supply nutrients and hypoxia (lack of oxygen).
Encephalopathy is divided into acquired and congenital forms of the disease. Acquired encephalopathy develops as a result of damage and internal pathological effects on the brain after the birth of the child (postnatal period). And the congenital form of this disease develops during intrauterine development of the fetus as a result of negative external influences, genetically determined errors in metabolic disorders, organic malformations of the brain (for example, due to hypoxia and intoxication of the fetus), and birth trauma.

To purchased encephalopathy in children refers to a post-traumatic form of brain pathology as a result of various traumatic brain injuries (bruises, concussions). Symptoms of post-traumatic encephalopathy: dizziness, increased nervousness, headache, decreased mental abilities, impaired concentration, sleep disturbance.

Discirculatory (toxic) encephalopathy in children- these are progressive organic changes in the nervous tissue of the brain that occur as a result of insufficient blood supply to the brain caused by vascular diseases.
Symptoms of dyscirculatory encephalopathy: B initial period development of the disease, the so-called pseudoneurasthenic syndrome manifests itself - sleep disorder, memory impairment, tinnitus, emotional instability, dizziness, instability of blood pressure, increased vascular reactivity. Signs of organic damage to nervous tissue on initial stage the development of the disease does not appear.
With unfavorable development of dyscirculatory encephalopathy in children symptoms become more severe: sleep disturbances are persistent, severe headaches occur fainting states. During a neurological examination, mild organic symptoms are revealed: asymmetry of tendon reflexes, cranial innervation, muscle tone. Cerebral vascular crises and vegetative-vascular lability are detected. A sick child's psyche often changes - phobias, lack of self-confidence, weakness, a tendency to hypochondriacal states appear, and memory deteriorates sharply.

Treatment of dyscirculatory encephalopathy:
A set of therapeutic and preventive measures aimed at treating the underlying disease that provokes the development of encephalopathy and eliminating dysfunction of the brain. A special therapeutic diet with restriction of salt and fats in the diet. Systematic use of ascorbic acid, vitamins, iodine preparations. Hypocholesterolemic drugs are prescribed - miscleron, cetamifene, diooponin. Hormone therapy is prescribed - testosterone propionate injection, thyroidin, diethylstilbestrol propionate injection.
With dyscirculatory encephalopathy in children treatment courses using drugs that improve the metabolism of brain tissue (vitamins, aminolon), courses using vasodilators (nicotinic acid, papaverine, complamin, no-spa) are indicated.
Symptomatic treatment of dyscirculatory encephalopathy
- for feelings of anxiety and irritability: elenium, seduxen, valerian;
- for dizziness: bellaspon, belloid, pills with platiphylline;
- for headaches - analgesics;
- for parkinsonism: L-DOPA, cyclodol, midantan are prescribed

Perinatal encephalopathy in children
The causes of perinatal encephalopathy are disturbances in the development of the child’s central nervous system during the last twelve weeks of intrauterine development or in the first week after birth. The causes of the disease are very different - illnesses and stress suffered by the mother during pregnancy, unfavorable ecology; acute respiratory diseases, colds suffered by the mother “on her feet”; diabetes mellitus, hypertension, maternal anemia.
In the last months of pregnancy future mom should be especially careful and careful about your health: walk in the fresh air more often, do not be nervous or overtired, ventilate the room more often, during the “flu period” try to avoid traveling to public transport, limit your consumption of meat products, chocolate, coffee. Never smoke or allow anyone to smoke in your presence.

IN last month visit your doctor during pregnancy antenatal clinic weekly. Be sure to get an ultrasound and pass necessary tests urine, do it general analysis blood.
Hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the fetus during intrauterine development is one of the main reasons that negatively affects the formation of the central nervous system. In addition to hypoxia, adverse effects on the central nervous system include metabolic disorders, infectious diseases,toxic and traumatic factors. The vessels supplying the child’s brain narrow, disrupting cerebral circulation and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
The presence or absence of damage to the child’s brain is diagnosed by a pediatric neurologist, who it is advisable to visit with the baby in the first few months after birth. Don't panic if your doctor finds signs of perinatal brain damage to your baby. During the infancy period of development, the brain has truly miraculous recovery abilities and with an appropriate course of treatment, no development of encephalopathy will follow.
Perinatal encephalopathy in children can be treated quite effectively during infancy. Most children with this diagnosis are completely cured within the first year after birth. A pediatric neurologist will prescribe a course of treatment for perinatal encephalopathy. It is necessary to follow all doctor's recommendations and regularly give the newborn the necessary medications to avoid organic damage to the central nervous system - infantile epilepsy, microcephaly, hydrocephalus with mental retardation, and the development of cerebral palsy.

Residual encephalopathy in children appears already after a fairly long period of time after the birth of the child and implies residual effects suffered perinatal encephalopathy. This disease can manifest itself against the background of the development of some inflammatory disease in the child's body. Traumatic brain injuries, infectious diseases, and circulatory disorders can also trigger the development of residual encephalopathy in children.
Symptoms of residual encephalopathy: memory impairment in a child, changes in emotional perception, vomiting, mental instability, impaired motor function. If any of the following symptoms appear in your child, contact your child immediately. pediatric neurologist to carry out the necessary examinations and analyses. Treatment of the disease is aimed at combating the cause of its occurrence, application special complex dietary supplement (biologically active additives) and a number of medications.

For the treatment of any types of encephalopathy in children, psychotherapy and adherence to sleep and rest schedules are of no small importance. Taking into account the stage and development of the disease, a pediatric neurologist can refer a sick child to a preventive clinic or medical sanatorium. During the hot season sanitary resort treatment not advisable in southern resorts.

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Despite the fact that the diagnosis “encephalopathy” is not listed in the International Classification of Diseases, parents of newborn children have begun to hear this frightening word more and more often. Pathology is not a separate disease; the word “encephalopathy” refers to diagnosed diffuse disorders of the brain and central nervous system.

Any pathological condition of the human brain and nervous system, especially infants, requires timely comprehensive treatment. The lack of early and adequate therapy can cause a number of complications, the consequences of which will be impossible to eliminate. In most cases, quality treatment leads to a complete recovery of the little patient.

What is encephalopathy, for what reasons does it occur in children?

Encephalopathy in children can be either congenital (perinatal) or acquired. Perinatal encephalopathy in newborns is a group of brain lesions that occur during the period from the 154th day of intrauterine life of the fetus to the 7th day of extrauterine life of a full-term baby or the 28th day of life of a premature baby (perinatal period). This deviation can be caused by a lot of reasons, both while in the womb and during childbirth.

According to statistics, up to 5% of children are born with congenital encephalopathy (its signs), which indicates that this is a fairly common pathology. The following reasons can provoke it:

• early pregnancy;
• presence of any hereditary diseases at the mother's;
• infectious diseases suffered during pregnancy;
• pathologies of pregnancy - toxicosis, gestosis, threats of miscarriage or premature birth at a later date;
• taking certain medications by a pregnant woman;
• pathological childbirth with complications (protracted or rapid labor);
• chronic placental insufficiency;
• smoking and drinking alcohol and drugs during pregnancy;
• placental abruption;
• ingestion of amniotic fluid;
• asphyxia as a result of tight entanglement of the umbilical cord.

Quite often it is not possible to find out the cause of perinatal encephalopathy. The situation is different with a disease that occurs in older children. Most often, its causes are previous infectious diseases (rubella, measles), the effect of toxic substances on the central nervous system, head injuries and the consequences of prematurity at the time of birth.

Types of childhood encephalopathy and accompanying symptoms

Perinatal and acquired encephalopathy are divided into several subtypes. Severity of the disease:

• I - diagnosis is made based on instrumental methods research, because visible symptoms absent;
• II - the clinical picture is either erased, or the disease has a hidden course;
• III - considered the heaviest, because it is accompanied by obvious neurological disorders leading to disability.

Perinatal encephalopathy

The following symptoms will help to suspect the presence of perinatal encephalopathy in a baby:

Having discovered several recurring symptoms in a child, you should not make terrible diagnoses on your own. It is necessary to contact a pediatric neurologist for examination. If an illness is detected, an appointment will be made complex treatment, the course of which will depend on the period of the disease:

Residual form

This form of the disease often has a blurred clinical picture, which is why it is also called “encephalopathy of unspecified origin.” Children may experience vegetative-vascular dystonia, fatigue, mental and mental retardation, headaches and paresis manifested due to the disease.

The cause of the residual form is most often viral or bacterial infections, instability of blood pressure or traumatic brain injury. In most cases, due to the blurred clinical picture, therapy for the residual form of encephalopathy begins already at the earliest stage. late stages, which negatively affects the condition of children.

Epileptic type

The epileptic type develops against the background of frequent convulsive seizures, which lead to the death of nerve cells in the foci. Repeated seizures contribute to the formation of new epileptic foci, which leads to disruption and complete loss of communication between brain neurons.

The epileptic type of encephalopathy is manifested by cognitive disorders, decreased intelligence and memory, sleep disorders and behavioral disorders.

There are 2 types of disease:

Hypoxic-ischemic form

The hypoxic-ischemic form is quite common. Its development is associated with oxygen deficiency in the brain tissue, which in turn is associated with a persistent decrease in blood pressure and respiratory failure. Oxygen starvation may be caused by cerebral hemorrhage, injuries and bruises, pathologies of cardio-vascular system. Consequences of the hypoxic-ischemic form:

• partial or complete loss of vision;
• aphasia;
• ischemic stroke;
• dysarthria (we recommend reading:).

Bilirubin encephalopathy

Bilirubin type is a subtype of toxic encephalopathy that develops due to negative impact on the child's brain with bilirubin.

An increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood can be provoked by:

• intrauterine jaundice due to TORCH infections;
• Rh conflict in the fetus and mother;
• congenital anomalies of the liver and gall bladder;
• blood diseases.

Lasting impact increased bilirubin on the brain causes irreversible changes in structures and death of brain cells. At the first manifestations of jaundice in a newborn, it is necessary to monitor the concentration of bilirubin in the blood with dynamic monitoring of the baby’s condition. Bilirubin disease is divided into 3 stages based on symptoms:

1. The appearance of signs of food poisoning. Conventional medications cannot cope with weakness, vomiting and nausea.
2. Symptoms of kernicterus appear - bent joints and clenched fists.
3. The occurrence of a false positive effect from treatment. In fact, this stage shows that the condition is only getting worse. A short-term disappearance of symptoms is replaced by the return of increased symptoms. The prognosis for the onset of stage 3 is not the best and is fraught with serious consequences.

Other types of disease

Other types of encephalopathy:

• dyscirculatory – damage to brain tissue caused by hypertension, osteochondrosis and increased intracranial pressure;
• radiation – manifests itself as a result of ionizing effects;
• Wernicke encephalopathy – develops due to a deficiency of B vitamins;
• metabolic – a consequence of disruption of the internal organs;
• vascular – occurs due to chronic disruptions in cerebral circulation;
• post-traumatic – the result of traumatic brain injury.

The unspecified form of the disease deserves special attention. Most often it occurs in newborns and children under 2 years of age. This is explained by the fact that at the time of birth there may be many factors present that can cause the disease, and it is impossible to determine the main one. When diagnosing an unspecified form, specialists indicate several etiological signs at once.

Diagnostic methods

Complete and high-quality diagnostics allows short time determine whether the child is suffering from encephalopathy. For this purpose, laboratory and instrumental methods are used, and consultations with other specialists are held. If a disease is suspected, the following is carried out:

Features of the treatment of encephalopathy in children of different ages

The first thing that parents of children diagnosed with encephalopathy should understand is that self-medication is prohibited. Therapy takes a lot of time and effort and is carried out under the constant supervision of a doctor.

Children suffering from mild to moderate manifestations of the disease may be on home treatment subject to taking medications and carrying out the necessary physiotherapeutic procedures (at home or in the clinic). Severe violations often require surgical intervention, so they are treated in a hospital.

The treatment regimen and prescribed drugs depend on the type and causes of the disease. As a rule, therapy consists of several stages:

• elimination of provoking factors;
• treatment of damaged brain tissue;
• normalization of work and stabilization of nervous system signals;
• restoration of body functions;
• relapse prevention.

Several methods can be used for rehabilitation therapy traditional medicine, which will be approved by the attending physician. Parental intervention in the course of treatment, replacement or refusal of any medications and procedures prescribed by a doctor are fraught with serious complications for the child.

Possible complications of the disease

Perinatal encephalopathy is curable in 95% of cases. However, the likelihood of developing negative consequences still exists. Possible complications due to ineffective treatment and the characteristics of the child’s body:

Preventive measures

Prevention of encephalopathy should include care for both the newborn baby and the fetus in the womb:

• pregnancy planning with full examination both parents;
• planned and unscheduled examination of a woman during pregnancy;
• giving up bad habits during pregnancy;
• prevention of intrauterine hypoxia;
• choosing a competent obstetrician-gynecologist for childbirth and a pediatrician for the child;
• timely treatment of diseases in a newborn;
• compliance with the rules of care and hygiene;
• prevention of traumatic brain injuries in children;
• prevention of stress and negative effects on the baby’s psyche;
• maintaining a sleep-wake schedule (especially in children under 2 years of age);
• strengthening the child’s immunity (frequent walks, hardening, balanced nutrition).

If symptoms of dysfunction of the child’s internal organs appear and deterioration general condition parents should consult a doctor. When diagnosing increased intracranial pressure must be passed comprehensive examination, because often it becomes the cause and first symptom of acquired encephalopathy in both newborns and older children.

Not all parents have time to experience the joys of motherhood and fatherhood after the birth of their baby. For some, this feeling overshadows terrible diagnosis– encephalopathy. It brings together a whole group of diseases varying degrees severity, accompanied by disorders brain activity. Seen more and more often, it is quite difficult to diagnose in newborns due to the mild severity of symptoms. If not treated promptly, encephalopathy in children leads to epilepsy and paralysis. That is why it is important to know what this pathology is and what signs you should pay attention to.

Encephalopathy is a terrible brain injury, which is important to diagnose promptly and begin treatment correctly.

What is encephalopathy?

Encephalopathy is an organic non-inflammatory lesion of brain neurons in which, under the influence of pathogenic factors dystrophic changes occur, leading to disruption of brain function. The impetus for the development of this disease is chronic oxygen deficiency caused by traumatic, toxic, infectious causes. Oxygen starvation of brain tissue disrupts the natural metabolic processes in them. As a result, the complete death of neurons triggers the shutdown of damaged areas of the brain.

As a rule, encephalopathy is a sluggish disease, but in some cases, for example, with severe renal and liver failure, it develops rapidly and unexpectedly.

Currently, doctors divide all types of encephalopathies into 2 large groups, each of which is divided into subspecies:

• Congenital. It usually occurs during an unfavorable pregnancy, abnormal brain development in the fetus, or genetic disorders of metabolic processes.
• Acquired. Occurs at any age, but is more common in adults. It is characterized by the influence of pathogenic factors on the brain during a person’s lifetime.

Varieties

Encephalopathy in children is a multi-etiological disease, but in all cases it has the same morphological changes in the brain. This is the destruction and reduction in the number of fully functioning neurons, foci of necrosis, damage to nerve fibers of the central or peripheral nervous system, swelling meninges, the presence of areas of hemorrhage in the brain matter.

The table below shows the main types of this pathology.

Types of encephalopathies	Etiology of occurrence	Clinical manifestations
Hypoxic-ischemic (perinatal encephalopathy in newborns)	The impact of damaging factors on the fetus in the perinatal (from the 28th week of pregnancy) and postnatal (up to the 10th day of life) periods.	Hyperexcitability, bad dream, frequent regurgitation, impaired thermoregulation, tilting of the head, pathological tone.
Bilirubin	Pathological jaundice, hemolytic disease, subcutaneous hemorrhages.	Lethargy, poor sucking reflex, infrequent, delayed breathing, increasing tension in the extensor muscles.
Epileptic	Pathologies of brain development.	Epileptic seizures, mental disorders, speech disorders, mental retardation.
Residual (unspecified)	Infections of bacterial and viral nature, intrapartum injuries, cephalohematomas.	Neurological and cognitive dysfunctions, headache, hydrocephalus, delayed psychomotor development.
Vascular	Vascular pathologies (cerebral atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension).	Depression, mood swings, headaches, sleep disturbances, poor memory, fast fatiguability, pain of unknown origin in various organs.
Toxic	Systematic exposure of the body to neurotropic and toxic substances.	Mental, vegetative-vascular, motor, thermoregulatory disorders; parkinsonism; epileptic syndrome.
Post-traumatic	Traumatic brain injuries and fractures.	Headache, dizziness, sleep disturbances, decreased attention and concentration, paresis, vestibular disorders.

Bilirubin encephalopathy

Severity of the disease

The severity of symptoms of encephalopathy in each patient depends on the stage of the disease. Doctors distinguish 3 degrees of severity of the disease:

1. Easy (first). Characterized practically complete absence symptoms that worsen after excessive exercise or stress. Minor changes in brain tissue are recorded only with the help of instrumental diagnostic methods. It responds well to treatment in the first year of a child’s life if medical recommendations are followed.
2. Average (second). Symptoms are mild and may be temporary. There is a violation of some reflexes and coordination of movements. Brain examinations reveal areas of hemorrhage.
3. Heavy (third). There are severe motor impairments, respiratory functions. Severe neurological disorders seriously impair the patient's quality of life, often leading to disability. At this stage, dementia develops; a person cannot take care of himself in everyday life.

Associated syndromes

Each type of encephalopathy in a child is characterized by the presence of syndromes indicating neurological dysfunction.

The most common of them are:

• Hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome. Caused by increased intracranial pressure and excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system of the brain. Among the signs of the syndrome in infants, there is a rapid increase in head circumference (by 1 cm monthly), opening of the sagittal suture, tension and bulging of the fontanelle, mild innate reflexes, strabismus and Graefe's sign ( white stripe between the pupil and upper eyelid in a child) (more details in the article:).
• Syndrome motor disorders. It manifests itself as pathological muscle tone - hypertonicity, hypotonicity or muscle dystonia. At the same time, it is difficult for a newborn to take physiological positions, and as the child grows up, there is a lag in physical and mental development. Parents should pay attention to the baby’s too monotonous cry or crying, its delayed reactions to light, visual and sound stimuli, and at the first appearance of a pathological reaction, show the child to the doctor.

• Hyperexcitability syndrome. It implies an increased nervous reaction to any irritants: touches, sounds, changes in body position. Hypertonicity and tremor of the limbs and chin are often observed. The baby's cry resembles a squeal and is accompanied by throwing back the head. He burps frequently and profusely (in fountains), and weight gain occurs slowly. The sleep-wake pattern is disrupted.
• Convulsive syndrome. It is a pathological reaction of the body to external and internal stimuli and is manifested by involuntary muscle contractions of a local (local) and generalized (covering the entire body) nature. Attacks may be accompanied by vomiting, foaming at the mouth, regurgitation, respiratory distress and cyanosis.
• Comatose syndrome. In newborns it is a consequence of birth injuries, infectious lesions, metabolic disorders and functional breathing disorders. It is expressed in the inhibition of three vital functions - consciousness, sensitivity and motor activity. With it, there is a lack of sucking and swallowing reflex in children.
• Syndrome of vegetative-visceral disorders. Manifests pathological changes in the cardiovascular respiratory systems, gastrointestinal disturbances, abnormal coloration or pallor skin, violation of thermoregulation.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurological-behavioral developmental disorder in which children have difficulty concentrating and perceiving information. The child is overly impulsive and does not cope well with his emotions.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis should only be made qualified doctor, guided by the results of clinical diagnostic studies - collecting the patient’s medical history, external examination, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics.

For older children we also offer special tests, helping to assess memory, attention and mental condition. Today the following modern research methods are used:

• Neurosonography. It is prescribed to children from birth until the large fontanel overgrows (see also:). Using a special ultrasound sensor, brain structures are examined and their pathologies are identified: hypertensive and hydrocephalic syndromes, hypoxic-ischemic lesions, cysts and hematomas, inflammation of the meninges.
• Doppler ultrasound. Allows you to assess the condition of the blood vessels of the brain and detects disturbances in the speed of blood flow, pathologies and aneurysms of the vessels supplying the brain, blockage or narrowing of the arteries.
• Electroencephalography. Registers electrical activity brain, allowing one to draw conclusions about inflammatory processes, tumors, vascular pathologies in the brain, and epileptic foci.
• Rheoencephalography. Represents simplest method study and evaluation vascular walls and cerebral vessels. Detects blood flow disorders and vascular hypertonicity.
• Blood analysis. Allows you to determine the presence of leukocytosis, indicating inflammatory processes in the body, and the level of bilirubin, which is important in the development of bilirubin encephalopathy.

Neurosonography procedure

Treatment of encephalopathy in children

Encephalopathy is a serious diagnosis that requires immediate medical attention. Self-medication in in this case is not only inappropriate, but can also lead to irreversible consequences. Only a specialist will select an individual treatment - at home or in hospital - depending on the age, anthropometric data of the child, the severity of the pathology and the severity of its symptoms, which will not suppress a number of important brain functions.

Medicines

Drug therapy is based on taking the following main groups of drugs:

• Nootropics, or neurometabolic stimulants. Activate the work of nerve cells and improve blood flow. These include: Piracetam, Vinpocetine, Pantogam, Phenotropil, Actovegin, Cerebrolysin (we recommend reading:).
• Vasodilators, or vasodilators. Expand the lumen blood vessels, normalizing blood flow. Among them are Papaverine and Vinpocetine.
• Psycholeptics, or sedatives. Aimed at relieving increased excitability. These include Citral, Valerianahel, Elenium.
• Analgesics, or painkillers. The purpose of their use is to relieve severe pain. This is Aspirin, Ibuprofen.
• Anticonvulsants, or antiepileptic drugs. Aimed at reducing epileptic activity and stopping seizures of any origin. Among them are Valparin, Phenobarbital.

Besides these medicines, the doctor may prescribe antispasmodics and muscle relaxants central action. Physiotherapy procedures such as electrophoresis and amplipulse therapy have proven themselves as part of inpatient treatment. For bilirubin encephalopathy, treatment with phototherapy is appropriate.

For effective fight with consequences of perinatal or acquired encephalopathy alone medications not enough. Parents should be patient and focus on the physical and mental recovery of their child. To do this, you should establish a regime of wakefulness and rest for the baby, provide his diet with food rich in vitamin B, and regularly conduct physical therapy classes and massage sessions.

As the child grows up, if necessary, it is recommended to involve correctional teachers - speech therapists, defectologists. They provide assistance in social adaptation, formation of positive motivation and draw up a development plan using the necessary methods, tools and techniques, taking into account age, individual and psychological characteristics baby.

Consequences for the child

The consequences of encephalopathy are serious. These are delayed speech, mental and physical development, brain dysfunction expressed by lack of attention and memory, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy (we recommend reading:). The prognosis varies depending on the severity of the disease - from full recovery to disability and death.

Encephalopathy is a brain pathology caused by the death of nerve cells. In the presence of encephalopathy in children and adults, there is a disturbance in the blood supply, and oxygen deficiency in the brain also occurs. Encephalopathy is not separate disease. This concept usually means general pathological conditions and brain diseases. Encephalopathy can be congenital or acquired. Congenital pathology occurs when a traumatic brain injury occurs during childbirth, due to abnormalities in brain development and metabolic disorders in the embryonic period. Acquired encephalopathy occurs for various reasons:

• Due to exposure to toxic agents;
• If you receive a head injury;
• Due to metabolic disorders in the body;
• Due to exposure to ionizing radiation;
• For disorders of the blood supply to the brain.

Causes

Depending on why it may be pathological disorder brain, there are several types of encephalopathy in children.

• Insufficient blood supply to the brain due to vascular diseases.
• Stagnation of blood in the vessels.
• Traumatic brain injury with neuronal damage, which could also be caused by a complicated birth.
• Perinatal or congenital encephalopathy occurs during pregnancy or childbirth. Pathology occurs due to illnesses suffered by the mother and other negative influences.
• Neuroinfection, trauma and other causes of brain damage during the newborn period.
• Insufficient nutrition of the brain due to disruption of neurocytic communication and damage to the nerve sheaths.
• Immune system dysfunction.
• The effects of toxic substances on the brain.
• Increased arterial pressure.
• Deficiency of B vitamins in children's bodies.

Symptoms

Regardless of the cause of the development of brain pathology in a child, similar signs appear:

• Strong headache;
• Children under one year of age are restless, cry often, eat poorly and have problems sleeping;
• Development of insomnia at night and increased sleepiness during the day;
• Memory impairment;
• Reduced interest of the child in surrounding objects and games;
• The emergence of phobias.

Depending on the degree of pathology and the cause of its occurrence, the manifestation of symptoms can be observed in combination or separately.

Diagnosis of encephalopathy in a child

The doctor will be able to preliminarily diagnose brain pathology in a child after initial examination and taking an anamnesis. The doctor can measure your blood pressure. For staging accurate diagnosis and determining the cause of encephalopathy, the child may be sent for examination using magnetic resonance or computed tomography, ultrasound, dopleography ultrasound, or encephalogram of the brain. A doctor will be able to accurately diagnose encephalopathy after receiving test results. The child must undergo a complete blood count, as well as blood tests for creatinine, autoantibodies and metabolic tests. Not all examination methods and tests are necessary to make a diagnosis. The doctor independently prescribes the necessary examinations, taking into account the individual symptoms of the child’s encephalopathy.

Complications

Many parents worry about the danger of encephalopathy in a child? The pathology may not cause much harm if a small number of neurocytes are affected. Great importance has time to see a doctor and further treatment. According to statistics, many children are able to cure this disease without further complications and consequences. But in some cases, complications of encephalopathy can be observed in adult life:

• The occurrence of epilepsy;
• Impaired motor activity in some muscle groups;
• Memory impairment;
• Decreased intellectual abilities;
• Frequent migraines;
• Sudden changes in emotional mood.

Treatment

What can you do

If signs of abnormalities in the functioning of the brain and other systems and organs are detected, the child must be shown to a doctor. The doctor will be able to prescribe treatment, and parents must strictly follow the recommendations and instructions. Also, parents must provide the baby with complete and healthy nutrition, arrange regular walks in the fresh air. To improve your condition, it is recommended to exercise therapeutic exercises and others exercise. Physical therapy can be done at home.

What does a doctor do

Treating encephalopathy in a child is long and difficult. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the cause, if possible, and restore damaged nerve cells. To treat brain pathology in a child, the following drugs are used:

• Neuroprotectors help in the restoration and further prevention of damaged neurocytes;
• Medicines that improve blood circulation and accelerate the outflow of venous blood;
• Tranquilizers and sedatives necessary to reduce pulsation in neurocytes;
• B vitamins improve metabolism in nerve cells.

After the first course of treatment, a child diagnosed with encephalopathy must register with a neurologist. In the future, he needs to periodically visit a doctor and undergo examinations.

Prevention

Brain pathology in a child can be prevented if certain preventive measures are followed.

• During pregnancy, the expectant mother should monitor her health and not abuse bad habits and undergo regular examinations.
• To prevent birth trauma, doctors must be attentive. And during childbirth, the mother should listen to doctors and obstetricians and follow their instructions.
• Make sure your child avoids stressful situations.
• Explain to your child the rules of safe behavior on the street, at home and in child care institutions in order to prevent traumatic brain injury. For younger children preschool age Strict parental supervision is required.
• Parents should monitor the baby’s daily routine and provide him with adequate nutrition.
• Increase the effectiveness of the child’s immunity with the help of vitamin and mineral complexes, fresh vegetables and fruits. The use of vitamins should occur after consultation with a doctor.

In the article you will read everything about methods of treating a disease such as encephalopathy in children. Find out what effective first aid should be. How to treat: choose medications or traditional methods?

You will also learn how untimely treatment of encephalopathy in children can be dangerous, and why it is so important to avoid the consequences. All about how to prevent encephalopathy in children and prevent complications.

A caring parents will find on the service pages complete information about the symptoms of encephalopathy in children. How do the signs of the disease in children aged 1, 2 and 3 differ from the manifestations of the disease in children aged 4, 5, 6 and 7? What is the best way to treat encephalopathy in children?

Take care of the health of your loved ones and stay in good shape!