Chapter 14: Neurological & Sensory Disorders in Children

Neurological & Sensory Disorders in Children details the critical nursing assessment of the pediatric patient, emphasizing the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale, the evaluation of deep tendon and primitive reflexes (such as the Moro, rooting, and Babinski reflexes), and the monitoring of head circumference to detect abnormalities like microcephaly or macrocephaly. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to congenital anomalies, specifically neural tube defects including spina bifida, meningocele, and myelomeningocele, alongside structural issues such as Chiari malformations, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and craniosynostosis. The chapter thoroughly explores the pathophysiology and management of hydrocephalus, detailing the surgical placement and postoperative care of ventriculoperitoneal shunts and the recognition of increased intracranial pressure symptoms like sunsetting eyes. Considerable attention is focused on seizure disorders, categorizing them into generalized types (tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic) and partial seizures, while also covering febrile seizures, status epilepticus, and specific epilepsy syndromes like infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, complete with pharmacological interventions. Infectious processes involving the nervous system, such as bacterial and viral meningitis and encephalitis, are analyzed regarding their clinical presentation, diagnostic lumbar punctures, and urgent treatment protocols. Furthermore, the text distinguishes between various neuromuscular disorders, providing in-depth descriptions of cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Finally, the chapter addresses neurocutaneous syndromes like neurofibromatosis, movement disorders including tics and Tourette's syndrome, and the management of traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and pediatric headaches.