Be able to recognize children with acutely depressed mental status Know the major causes of acutely depressed mental status in children Initiate the workup for depressed mental status in children Initiate management of depressed mental status in children
Coma: Coma: - Unarousable unresponsiveness
- The most profound state of depressed mental status
Stupor, Lethargy, Difficult to Arouse, Obtunded: - All of these terms are imprecise and describe a decreased level of consciousness
- May be marked by absence of spontaneous movement and diminished responsiveness to stimulation
- Awareness is generally impaired before arousal
Brain Death (1-18 y.o.):
Arousal: The physiology of arousal is dependent on the reticular activating system (RAS). The RAS is a poorly localized network of cells in the brainstem with projections to the thalamus, hypothalamus and cortex. Awareness: Awareness is mediated by the cerebral cortex in widely distributed neuronal networks. Awareness is the product of cortical function that resides within both hemispheres and then projects down to the thalamus and then out, for either motor or sensory functions.
Depressed mental status is a medical emergency with a broad differential Depressed mental status is a medical emergency with a broad differential Determination of etiology is essential for optimal treatment Workup requires a systematic approach
Nonstructural, Symmetrical Nonstructural, Symmetrical Toxins - Lead,Thallium, Mushrooms, Cyanide, Methanol, Ethylene glycol, Carbon Monoxide
Drugs - Sedatives, Barbiturates*, Hypnotics, Tranquilizers, Bromides, Alcohol, Opiates, Paraldehyde, Salicylate, Psychotropics, Anticholinergics, Amphetamines, Lithium, Phencylidine, MAOi’s
- Hypoxia, Hypercapnia, Hypernatremia*, Hypoglycemia*,Hypergylcemic nonketotic coma, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Lactic acidosis, Hypercalcemia, Hypocalcemia, Hypermagnesemia, Hyperthermia, Hypothermia, Reye's encephalopathy, Aminoacidemia, Wernicke's encephalopathy, Porphyria, Hepatic encephalopathy*, Uremia, Dialysis encephalopathy, Addisonian crisis, Hypothyroidism
Infections - Sepsis, Bacterial meningitis, Viral encephalitis, Postinfectious encephalomyelitis, Syphilis, Typhoid fever, Malaria, Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
Other - Postictal* , Diffuse ischemia (MI, heart failure, arrhythmia), Hypotension, Fat embolism*, Hypertensive encephalopathy, Hypothyroidism, Nonconvulsive status epilepticus, Heat stroke
AMPLE History AMPLE History A: Allergy/Airway M: Medications P: Past medical history L: Last meal E: Event - What happened? - Rapid or Gradual Onset?
- Preceding Headache or Neurologic Symptoms?
- Ingestions?
- Vague or inconsistent history from caregiver is suspicious for non-accidental trauma.
ABC’s (including cardio-respiratory exam) ABC’s (including cardio-respiratory exam) Vitals Neurologic examination - Brief and to the point
- Differentiate structural from non structural causes
- Assess: Level of consciousness/responsiveness, Motor responses, Brainstem reflexes
Meningismus / Nuchal Rigidity - Brudzinski’s sign - Involuntary hip & knee flexion with forced neck flexion
- Kernig’s sign - involuntary knee flexion with forced flexion of the hip
Fundoscopy - Papilledema suggests increased ICP of more than several hours duration.
- Retinal hemorrhages in an infant are a sign of non-accidental trauma
Skin - Bruising may suggest trauma, rashes may suggest infection
If cause for depressed mental status is not readily apparent send: If cause for depressed mental status is not readily apparent send: - Bedside blood glucose Urine drug screen
- Electrolytes with Ca, Mg Complete blood count
- BUN, creatinine Blood culture
- Transaminases ABG/VBG, ammonia
-
If suspected metabolic abnormality send: UA, urine ketones, plasma amino acids, urine organic acids, plasma free fatty acids, carnitine profile, lactate, pyruvate
CT is the initial neuro-imaging test of choice. CT is the initial neuro-imaging test of choice. - MRI with DWI can be considered as an adjunct.
LP after increased ICP has been ruled out EEG to rule out nonconvulsive status epilepticus should be performed in children with depressed mental status where etiology remains elusive.
A 16 year old girl is brought in unconscious by friends from a party. Physical exam notes the smell of alcohol, tachycardia to 178, fever to 39.8, diaphoresis and BP 185/107. You are called to consult in the ED. What is the most likely etiology of her altered mental status? A 16 year old girl is brought in unconscious by friends from a party. Physical exam notes the smell of alcohol, tachycardia to 178, fever to 39.8, diaphoresis and BP 185/107. You are called to consult in the ED. What is the most likely etiology of her altered mental status? MDMA (ecstasy)/Amphetamine intoxication What if the same patient has absent sweating and dilated pupils? Anticholenergic Intoxication
A 3 year old boy with a past medical history of OTC deficiency is admitted with cellulitis. He is found unresponsive in the child life room. As the pediatrics resident, you are called for urgent evaluation. A 3 year old boy with a past medical history of OTC deficiency is admitted with cellulitis. He is found unresponsive in the child life room. As the pediatrics resident, you are called for urgent evaluation. Please provide a DDx and workup. DDx includes hyperammonemia, hypoglycemia, sepsis, ingestion, trauma, or sub-clinical seizures. Workup should include a focused physical exam, chemistries, free flowing ammonia, glucose, CBC, cultures and possible ABG. Evidence of trauma should prompt an immediate head CT.
Berger, Joseph R. Clinical Approach to Stupor and Coma. In: Neurology in Clinical Practice: Principles of diagnosis and Management, 4th ed, Bradley, WG, Daroff, RB, Fenichel, GM, Jankovic, J (Eds), Butterworth Heinmann, Philadelphia, PA 2004. p.46. Berger, Joseph R. Clinical Approach to Stupor and Coma. In: Neurology in Clinical Practice: Principles of diagnosis and Management, 4th ed, Bradley, WG, Daroff, RB, Fenichel, GM, Jankovic, J (Eds), Butterworth Heinmann, Philadelphia, PA 2004. p.46. C P Wong, R J Forsyth, T P Kelly, J A Eyre. Incidence, aetiology, and outcome of non-traumatic coma: a population based study. Arch Dis Child 2001;84:193–199 Michelson D, Thompson L, Williams E. Evaluation of stupor and coma in children. UpToDate. 2006. Simpson D, Reilly P. Pediatric coma scale. Lancet 1982; 2:450. Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet 1974,2:81-84 [Glasgow Coma Scale] Thompson L, Williams E. Treatment and Prognosis of Coma in Children. UpToDate. 2010.
Dostları ilə paylaş: |