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Perinatal encephalopathy

Perinatal encephalopathy is a common pediatric diagnosis. It should be noted that in the latest international classification of diseases, tenth revision this disease is not specified. From what is related to the fact that pediatric neurologists continue to put this diagnosis many children?

Perinatal encephalopathy called pathological changes in the brain arising in the perinatal period. Usually so-called all brain dysfunction that cannot be describe more specifically, because until the child reaches one year of age it is difficult to accurately determine the disease. But the manifestation of encephalopathy have many options.


Causes of perinatal encephalopathy

Causes of perinatal encephalopathy are the various negative factors affecting the expectant mother during pregnancy. It may be intoxication with alcohol or drugs, and substance use medications, stress, diseases of the infectious or noninfectious nature. It is also important to environment: adverse environmental conditions can lead to oxygen starvation of the fetus (hypoxia). Perinatal encephalopathy can occur due to a difficult delivery: the entanglement of the child by the umbilical cord, its weight and so on.

Symptoms of perinatal encephalopathy

Perinatal encephalopathy is manifested by certain symptoms. The syndrome of motor disorders is pronounced by hypertonicity or hypotonia of the muscles. With increased neuro-reflex excitability, the child could not sleep, and during wakefulness, there might be hyperactivity, trembling of the hands or chin. Perinatal encephalopathy can manifest itself in a completely opposite way – a syndrome of depression of the Central nervous system. The activity of the baby is reduced, the reaction is inhibited. Because of hypotonia of the muscles of the face or torso can be asymmetric.

One of the most dangerous manifestations of the disease may be hypertension syndrome, because he often spills over into hydrocephalus. Big spring does not have to be convex, and the increase in head circumference – the reason to go to the doctor.

Convulsions in infants is rather difficult to determine, because it can be expressed by hiccups, belching, excessive salivation, masticatory movements automatic.

The risk of perinatal encephalopathy is thatto diagnose it is extremely difficult, and without proper treatment it can grow into more dangerous diseases: hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, delayed physical and mental development, neurosis and so on.

Diagnosis of perinatal encephalopathy is done with the help of neurosonography – ultrasound examination of the brain.


Treatment of perinatal encephalopathy

Timely diagnosis and treatment of perinatal encephalopathy in the early stages usually has positive results: the first-second years of life the child recovering disturbed brain functions. Sometimes can persist some symptoms of encephalopathy or its complications (minimal cerebral dysfunction, hydrocephalus, seizures, cerebral palsy).

The treatment is two-step. In the period of exacerbation, symptomatic and pathogenetic therapy: eliminate the cardiovascular and respiratory distress, convulsions, irritability; take measures for dehydration, detoxification, eliminate metabolic disorders, and so on. During remission or recovery prescribed symptomatic therapy and taking stimulants, anticonvulsants. Also treatment used massage and exercise therapy to help improve the metabolism and to normalize muscle tone.