Symptoms of Pediatric Neurological Disorders
Pediatric neurological disorders span a broad spectrum, according to Continuum Health Partners. Disorders can include epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, autism, ADD, movement disorders and cerebrovascular stroke. Each of these disorders can have a major impact on a child's life, making it important to be able to identify major symptoms in order to more readily seek out a treatment path.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Poor Muscle Coordination
Poor muscle coordination and control is linked to a number of pediatric neurological disorders 4. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it is one of the first presenting symptoms of cerebral palsy 4. The signs generally manifest themselves in the form of a dragging walk, a walking style which appears to still be a crouch, or walking on the toes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 4. Loyola University Chicago notes that muscle coordination and jerking in infant limbs may be a sign of epileptic activity 2.
Spasms/Seizures
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Muscle spasms and seizures are signs of neurological disorders 4. Cerebral palsy is indicated by spasticity in muscle reflexes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 4. The Loyola University Chicago notes that both small muscle spasms and full body seizures in children are symptoms of epilepsy 2.
Muscle Tone Issues
Children without the proper muscle tone for their age and stage of development may be showing signs of a pediatric neurological disorder. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke identifies both overly stiff and overly floppy muscle tone as a sign of potential cerebral palsy 4.
Concentration Issues
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Concentration issues are linked to multiple neurological disorders, with autism and ADD/ADHD leading the list. A case study from the University of Washington website Neuroscience for Kids highlights the selective focus of affected children, who may fixate on a single activity 5. Staring is also a sign of absence associated with epilepsy, according to Loyola University Chicago 2.
For children with ADD or ADHD, on the other hand, MayoClinic.com points to inattentiveness and an inability to stay focused as a symptom of potential neurological problems.
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References
- Continuum Health Partners: The Alan & Barbara Mirken Department Of Neurology
- Loyola University Chicago: Seizure Disorders In Children
- MayoClinic.com: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptoms
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Cerebral Palsy Information Page
- Neuroscience for Kids: Autism
- Cerebral Palsy. Cleveland Clinic. July 7, 2014.
- Al-Mayahi AA. Early Markers for Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy - Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects. November 2018. doi:10.5772/intechopen.79466.
- Agarwal A, Verma I. Cerebral palsy in children: An overview. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2012;3(2):77-81. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2012.09.001
- Nordberg A, Miniscalco C, Lohmander A. Consonant production and overall speech characteristics in school-aged children with cerebral palsy and speech impairment. Int J Speech Lang Pathol. 2014;16(4):386-95. doi:10.3109/17549507.2014.917440
- Chorna O, Heathcock J, Key A, et al. Early childhood constraint therapy for sensory/motor impairment in cerebral palsy: a randomised clinical trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12):e010212. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010212
- What is Cerebral Palsy? | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Apr 30, 2019.
- Cremer N, Hurvitz EA, Peterson MD. Multimorbidity in Middle-Aged Adults with Cerebral Palsy. Am J Med. 2017;130(6):744.e9-744.e15. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.11.044
- Sanivarapu RR, Gibson JG. Aspiration Pneumonia. Treasure Island, Fl: StatPearls Publishing; 2019.
- Urinary Retention. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Aug 1, 2014.
- What are the early signs of cerebral palsy? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dec 1, 2016.
- Chorna OD, Guzzetta A, Maitre NL, Vision Assessments and Interventions for Infants 0-2 Years at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review, Pediatr Neurol. 2017 Nov;76:3-13. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2017.07.011. Epub 2017 Jul 20.
- Cooper MS, Mackay MT, Fahey M, Reddihough D, Reid SM, Williams K, Harvey AS, Seizures in Children With Cerebral Palsy and White Matter Injury,Pediatrics. 2017 Mar;139(3). pii: e20162975. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-2975. Epub 2017 Feb 16.
- Gulati S, Sondhi V, Cerebral Palsy: An Overview, Indian J Pediatr. 2017 Nov 20. doi: 10.1007/s12098-017-2475-1. [Epub ahead of print]
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Jamie Simpson is a researcher and journalist based in Indianapolis with more than 10 years of professional writing experience. She earned her B.S. in animal science from Purdue University and her Master of Public Affairs in public management from Indiana University. Simpson also works as a massage therapist and equine sports massage therapist.