What is a Neurologic Disorder?

The term “neurologic disorder” applies to any condition that’s caused by a dysfunction partially of the brain or systema nervosum, leading to physical and/or psychological symptoms.

The development of the brain starts during the pregnancy and continues through infancy, childhood and adolescence. Most brain cells are formed before birth but the trillions of connections between these nerve cells (neurons) aren’t developed until infancy.

Causes of Neurologic Disorders

Neurologic disorders are also sometimes “congenital,” because they were present at birth. But a number of the disorders are “acquired,” which signifies that they developed after birth. Those with an unknown cause are termed “idiopathic.”

Congenital Causes (present at birth)

Genetic factors can influence the event of a spread of neurologic disorders that are typically inherited from parents through genes and chromosomes.

Chromosomes are long strands of DNA supported by protein that are found within the nuclei of human cells. Human body cell normally contains 46 (23 pairs) of chromosomes, half inherited from the mother and half from the daddy.

– Metabolic disorders

Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur in the body. Metabolic disorders can damage and must be identified as early as possible e.g. through blood or urine tests. Examples of metabolic disorders include phenylketonuria (PKU) and homocystinuria. PKU is a genetic disease where phenylalanine (present in food) can reach high concentration in serum.

– Congenital malformation

Congenital ‘defects’ are believed to be the results of complex interactions between genes, environment and behaviors. An example is tuberous sclerosis, a condition where children have growths in regions like the brain, heart, eyes, skin, kidneys and lungs. They may also experience epilepsy, learning difficulties/impairments and autism.

Pre/Perinatal Causes

– Toxins and environmental factors

Neurotoxins can enter and damage a child’s developing system through the placenta during fetal development. Consequently a toddler may develop intellectual and behavioral problems. Neurotoxins include alcohol (linked to fetal alcohol syndrome), lead (linked to intelligence, learning and memory problems), mercury (linked to learning and development disorders), tobacco (linked to challenging behaviors and developmental impairments) and a few food additives (linked to higher rates of ADHD in children).

– Nutritional deficiencies

Nutrients are needed for growth. A deficiency of nutrients during the last three months of pregnancy can decrease the amount of brain cells. A deficiency of vitamin B (a B vitamin) could lead on to a ectoderm defect (NTD)—for example, rachischisis (open spine).

– Infections

TORCH infections, including sexually transmitted infections, are often passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. As reflected by the letters in the name, TORCH infections include Toxoplasmosis, Other infections (hepatitis B, syphilis, varicella-Zoster virus, HIV and Parovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus. These infections can cause developmental abnormalities within the unborn child. Chorioamnionitis can be a cause of spastic paralysis.

– Hypoxia/Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia is that the condition resulting from a scarcity of oxygen (hypoxia). If a developing baby within the uterus doesn’t have enough oxygen, then it’s going to have hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (neurologic damage caused by low oxygen). The effects of severe HIE can include spastic paralysis , intellectual impairments and epilepsy.

– Complications during childbirth

The protective skull isn’t fully formed at birth making the brain susceptible to physical injury. The supply of blood and oxygen from the duct also can become affected at birth. As the brain depends upon this supply of oxygen, deprivation of oxygen can cause brain damage.

– Prematurity/low birth weight

Low weight can lead to growth problems in the mother’s womband has been associated with a greater cognitive impairments, attention problems, speech and language impairments, social difficulties, hyperactivity and learning impairments. Some may arise due to associated complications during childbirth.

– Interaction effects

A number of things, including heredity, organic phenomenon , the environment, communicable disease , poor nutrition, stress, drugs and other chemicals, can interact in complex ways to cause some neurologic disorders.

– Acquired Causes (developed after birth)

This is less common condition than congenital which are causes of neurologic disorders, and include:

– Immune disorders

Immune disorder, like autoimmune encephalitis, can cause emotional challenges, abnormal body movements and seizures.

– Postnatal infections

– Encephalitis

(inflammation of the brain) are often caused by many sorts of infection (usually viral). children in this problem may develop neurologic long-term consequences following encephalitis which include memory problems, behavioral changes, speech impairments, and epilepsy.

Meningitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection that inflames the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). The inflammation and swelling can damage the brain and nerves. Complications like bacterial meningitis than with viral meningitis and include symptoms hearing impairments, memory difficulties, coordination and balance problems, learning impairments, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, speech impairments, and loss of vision.

– Traumatic brain injury

This occurs when trauma to the top leads to damage to the brain. There are three main types of traumatic brain injury (TBI):

Closed head injuries -these are common in car accidents and visible.

Open wounds – The brain is exposed and damaged.

Crushing injuries– where the top is crushed and brain damage occurs.

Evidence suggests that children’s brains are vulnerable to lasting damage from TBI thanks to an interruption of the systema nervosum during development.

– Spinal cord injuries

Car accidents, falls, or sports accidents can cause spinal cord injuries. The degree of injury depends on where the damage occurs and what a part of the body the injured spinal area controls. Spinal injuries can lead to loss of muscle function.

– Neoplasm

Neoplasm is an abnormal mass of tissue producing tumors. Tumors can develop within the brain or medulla spinalis. They can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors are the foremost dangerous, so early diagnosis is extremely important. In this the Symptoms are seizures, speech impairments, limb weakness, difficulty walking and swallowing difficulties, strange sensations, learning impairments, challenging behaviors, or vision and hearing impairments.

– Toxins

Exposure to environmental chemicals or toxins during childhood can cause neurologic impairment.

Closed head injuries – In this there no damage is visible; these are common in car accidents.

The pediatric neurology service coordinates medical treatment and therapy for youngsters with neurological conditions.