Clinical variants of residual organic failure of the central nervous system. Organic brain damage - types, causes and consequences of the disease

From this article you will learn the main symptoms and signs of damage to the nervous system in a child, how damage to the central nervous system in a child is treated, and what causes perinatal damage to the nervous system in a newborn.

Treatment of nervous system damage in a child

Some children are so worried on the eve of exo-amen that they literally get sick.

Drugs for the treatment of the nervous system

Anacardium is a drug for the treatment of the nervous system.

As soon as a child sits down to write, he loses all self-confidence and remembers absolutely nothing.

Argentum nitricum is a drug for the treatment of the nervous system.

On the eve of the exam, the child is hurried, excited, irritable and nervous.
Diarrhea on the eve of an exam.
The child may ask for sweets.

Gelsemium is a drug for the treatment of the nervous system.

Weakness and trembling on the eve of an important event or exam.
Diarrhea is possible.

Picric acid is a drug for the treatment of the nervous system.

For good students who have studied hard but can no longer continue teaching - they would even like to throw away their textbooks.
The child is afraid that he will forget everything during the exam.
The child is very tired from studying.

Potential and number of doses:

One dose of 30C the evening before the exam, one in the morning and one just before the exam.

Symptoms of nervous system damage in a child

Most diseases of the nervous system at an early age are accompanied by delayed psychomotor development. When diagnosing them, the assessment of the presence of neurological syndromes, as well as the identification of lesions of the nervous system, is of key importance.

Hypoexcitability syndrome - a symptom of damage to the nervous system

Hypoexcitability syndrome is characterized by low motor and mental activity of the child, a long latent period for the occurrence of all reflexes (including innate ones), hyporeflexia, and hypotension. The syndrome occurs predominantly due to dysfunction of the diencephalic-limbic parts of the brain, which is accompanied by vegetative-visceral disorders.

Hypoexcitability syndrome develops with perinatal brain damage, some hereditary and congenital diseases (Down's disease, phenylketonuria, etc.), metabolic disorders (hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, hypermagnesemia, etc.), as well as with many severe somatic diseases.

Hyperexcitability syndrome - a symptom of damage to the nervous system

Hyperexcitability syndrome is characterized by motor restlessness, emotional lability, sleep disturbance, increased innate reflexes, and a decreased threshold for convulsive readiness. It is often combined with increased muscle tone and rapid neuropsychic exhaustion. Hyperexcitability syndrome can develop in children with perinatal pathology of the central nervous system, some hereditary fermentopathies, and metabolic disorders.

Intracranial hypertension syndrome is a symptom of damage to the nervous system

The syndrome is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, often combined with dilation of the cerebral ventricles and subarachnoid spaces. In most cases, there is an increase in the size of the head, divergence of cranial sutures in infants, bulging and enlargement of the large fontanelle, and disproportion between the cerebral and facial parts of the skull (hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome).

The cry of such children is piercing, painful, “cerebral.” Older children often complain of a symptom such as headache, although this complaint is not specific to this syndrome. Damage to the VI pair of cranial nerves, the “setting sun” symptom (the appearance of a clearly defined strip of sclera between the upper eyelid and the iris, which creates the impression of the eyeball “falling down”), spastic tendon reflexes are late symptoms of persistent intracranial hypertension.

When percussing the skull, the sound of a “cracked pot” is sometimes detected. Sometimes horizontal, vertical or rotatory nystagmus appears.

Perinatal damage to the nervous system

Perinatal damage to the nervous system is a group of pathological conditions caused by exposure of the fetus (newborn) to adverse factors in the antenatal period, during childbirth and in the first days after birth.

There is no uniform terminology for perinatal lesions of the nervous system. The terms “perinatal encephalopathy”, “cerebrovascular accident”, “cerebral dysfunction”, “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy”, etc. are usually used.

The lack of a unified terminology is due to the uniformity of the clinical picture with different mechanisms of brain damage, which is due to the immaturity of the nervous tissue of the newborn and its tendency to generalized reactions in the form of edematous, hemorrhagic and ischemic phenomena, manifested by symptoms of cerebral disorders.

Classification of perinatal lesions of the nervous system

The classification involves identifying the period of action of the harmful factor, the dominant etiological factor, the period of the disease [acute (7-10 days, sometimes up to 1 month in very premature infants), early recovery (up to 4-6 months), late recovery (up to 1-2 years) , residual effects], degree of severity (for the acute period - mild, moderate, severe) and main clinical syndromes.

Causes of perinatal lesions of the nervous system in children

The main cause of brain damage in the fetus and newborn is hypoxia, which develops during an unfavorable course of pregnancy, asphyxia, and also accompanies birth injuries, tension-type headaches, infectious and other diseases of the fetus and newborn. Hemodynamic and metabolic disorders that occur during hypoxia lead to the development of hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the brain substance and intracranial hemorrhages. In recent years, much attention has been paid to IUI in the etiology of perinatal CNS damage. The mechanical factor in perinatal brain damage is less important.

The main cause of spinal cord lesions is traumatic obstetric care with a large fetal mass, incorrect insertion of the head, breech presentation, excessive rotation of the head during its removal, traction on the head, etc.

Signs of perinatal lesions of the nervous system

The clinical picture of perinatal brain lesions depends on the period of the disease and severity (table).

In the acute period, the syndrome of central nervous system depression often develops (the following symptoms appear: lethargy, physical inactivity, hyporeflexia, diffuse muscle hypotonia, etc.), less often the syndrome of central nervous system hyperexcitability (increased spontaneous muscle activity, superficial restless sleep, tremor of the chin and limbs, etc.). d.).

In the early recovery period, the severity of cerebral symptoms decreases, and signs of focal brain damage become obvious.

The main syndromes of the early recovery period are as follows:

The syndrome of motor disorders is manifested by muscle hypo, hyper dystonia, paresis and paralysis, hyperkinesis.
Hydrocephalic syndrome is manifested by an increase in head circumference, divergence of sutures, enlargement and bulging of the fontanelles, expansion of the venous network on the forehead, temples, scalp, and a predominance of the size of the brain skull over the size of the facial skull.
Vegetovisceral syndrome is characterized by microcirculation disorders (marbling and pallor of the skin, transient acrocyanosis, cold hands and feet), thermoregulation disorders, gastrointestinal dyskinesia, lability of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, etc.

In the late recovery period, normalization of muscle tone and static functions gradually occurs. The completeness of recovery depends on the degree of damage to the central nervous system during the perinatal period.

Children in the period of residual effects can be divided into two groups: the first - with obvious psychoneurological disorders (about 20%), the second - with normalization of neurological changes (about 80%). However, normalization of the neurological status cannot be equivalent to recovery.

Increased neuroreflex excitability, moderate increase or decrease in muscle tone and reflexes. Horizontal nystagmus, convergent strabismus. Sometimes, after 7-10 days, symptoms of mild depression of the central nervous system are replaced by agitation with tremors of the hands, chin, and motor restlessness.

Usually, symptoms of central nervous system depression, muscle hypotonia, and hyporeflexia appear first, followed by muscle hypertonicity after a few days. Sometimes short-term convulsions, anxiety, hyperesthesia, oculomotor disorders (Graefe's symptom, "setting sun" symptom, horizontal and vertical nystagmus, etc.) appear. Vegetovisceral disorders often occur. Severe cerebral (severe depression of the central nervous system, convulsions) and somatic (respiratory, cardiac, renal, intestinal paresis, adrenal hypofunction) disorders. The clinical picture of spinal cord injury depends on the location and extent of the lesion. With massive hemorrhages and ruptures of the spinal cord, spinal shock develops (lethargy, adynamia, severe muscle hypotonia, severe depression or absence of reflexes, etc.). If the child remains alive, then local symptoms of damage become more clear - paresis and paralysis, dysfunction of the sphincters, loss of sensitivity. In children of the first years of life, it is sometimes very difficult to determine the exact level of damage due to the difficulties of identifying the boundaries of sensory disorders and the difficulties of differentiating central and peripheral paresis.

Diagnosis of perinatal lesions of the nervous system

The diagnosis is based on anamnestic (sociobiological factors, the mother’s health status, her obstetric and gynecological history, the course of pregnancy and childbirth) and clinical data and is confirmed by instrumental studies. Neurosonography is widely used. X-ray examinations of the skull and spine, and, if necessary, CT and MRI, help in diagnosis. Thus, in 25-50% of newborns with cephalohematoma, a skull fracture is detected, and in case of birth injuries of the spinal cord, vertebral dislocation or fracture is detected.

Perinatal lesions of the nervous system in children are differentiated from congenital malformations, hereditary metabolic disorders, often amino acids (manifest only a few months after birth), rickets [rapid increase in head circumference in the first months of life, muscle hypotonia, autonomic disorders (sweating, marbling, anxiety) are often associated not with the onset of rickets, but with hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome and vegetovisceral disorders in perinatal encephalopathy].

Treatment of perinatal lesions of the nervous system in children

Treatment of damage to the nervous system in the acute period.

The basic principles of treatment for cerebrovascular accidents in the acute period (after resuscitation measures) are as follows.

Elimination of cerebral edema. For this purpose, dehydration therapy is carried out (mannitol, GHB, albumin, plasma, Lasix, dexamethasone, etc.).
Elimination or prevention of convulsive syndrome (seduxen, phenobarbital, diphenine).
Reduced vascular wall permeability (vitamin C, rutin, calcium gluconate).
Improving myocardial contractility (carnitine chloride, magnesium preparations, panangin).
Normalization of the metabolism of nervous tissue and increasing its resistance to hypoxia (glucose, dibazol, alphatocopherol, actovegin).
Creating a gentle regime.

Treatment of damage to the nervous system during the recovery period.

In the recovery period, in addition to syndromic therapy, treatment is carried out aimed at stimulating the growth of brain capillaries and improving the trophism of damaged tissues.

Stimulating therapy (vitamins B, B 6, cerebrolysin, ATP, aloe extract).
Nootropics (piracetam, phenibut, pantogam, encephabol, cogitum, glycine, limontar, biotredin, aminalon, etc.).
To improve cerebral circulation, angioprotectors are prescribed (Cavinton, cinnarizine, trental, tanakan, sermion, instenon).
In case of increased excitability and convulsive readiness, sedative therapy is carried out (seduxen, phenobarbital, radedorm).
Physiotherapy, massage and physical therapy (physical therapy).

Children with perinatal lesions of the central nervous system should be under the supervision of a neurologist. Periodic courses of treatment are required (23 months twice a year for several years).

Prevention of perinatal lesions of the nervous system

Prevention consists primarily of preventing intrauterine fetal hypoxia, starting from the first months of pregnancy. This requires timely elimination of unfavorable socio-biological factors and chronic diseases of the woman, identification of early signs of the pathological course of pregnancy. Measures to reduce birth injuries are also of great importance.

Treatment prognosis

The prognosis for perinatal lesions of the central nervous system depends on the severity and nature of the damage to the central nervous system, the completeness and timeliness of treatment measures.

Severe asphyxia and intracerebral hemorrhages often result in death. Severe consequences in the form of severe disturbances in psychomotor development rarely occur (in 35% of full-term and 10-20% of very premature children). However, almost all children with perinatal brain damage, even mild ones, continue to have signs of minimal brain dysfunction for a long time - headaches, speech disorders, tics, impaired coordination of fine movements. They are characterized by increased neuropsychic exhaustion and “school maladjustment.”

The consequences of spinal cord injury during childbirth depend on the severity of the injury. With massive hemorrhages, newborns die in the first days of life. Those who survive the acute period experience a gradual recovery of motor functions.

The central nervous system (CNS) is the main part of the human nervous system, which consists of a collection of nerve cells. In humans, it is represented by the spinal cord and brain. The departments of the central nervous system regulate the activities of individual organs and systems of the body, and generally ensure the unity of its activities. With lesions of the central nervous system, this function is disrupted.

Damage to the central nervous system can occur in a child both during fetal development (perinatal) and during childbirth (intrapartum). If harmful factors affected the child at the embryonic stage of intrauterine development, then severe defects incompatible with life may occur. After eight weeks of pregnancy, damaging influences will no longer cause gross disturbances, but sometimes slight deviations appear in the formation of the child. After 28 weeks of intrauterine development of a child, damaging influences will not lead to developmental defects, but a normally formed child may develop some kind of disease.

Perinatal damage to the central nervous system (PP CNS)

This pathology is most often registered in children of the first year of life. This diagnosis implies a dysfunction or structure of the brain of various origins. CNS PP occurs during the perinatal period. This includes antenatal (from the 28th week of intrauterine development until the onset of labor), intranatal (the act of childbirth itself) and early neonatal (the first week of the child’s life) periods.

Symptoms of CNS PP include increased neuro-reflex excitability; decreased muscle tone and reflexes, short-term cramps and anxiety; muscle hypotonia, hyporeflexia; respiratory, cardiac, renal disorders; paresis and paralysis, etc.

The occurrence of perinatal damage to the central nervous system is influenced by the following reasons: somatic diseases of the mother, malnutrition and immaturity of the pregnant woman, acute infectious diseases during pregnancy, hereditary diseases, metabolic disorders, pathological course of pregnancy, as well as unfavorable environmental conditions.

According to their origin, all perinatal lesions of the central nervous system can be divided into:

Hypoxic-ischemic damage to the central nervous system. Hypoxic-ischemic damage to the central nervous system occurs due to a lack of oxygen supply to the fetus or its utilization during pregnancy or childbirth;
Traumatic damage to the central nervous system. Traumatic damage to the central nervous system is caused by traumatic damage to the fetal head at the time of birth;
Hypoxic-traumatic damage to the central nervous system. Hypoxic-traumatic damage to the central nervous system is characterized by a combination of hypoxia and damage to the cervical spine and the spinal cord located in it;
Hypoxic-hemorrhagic damage to the central nervous system. Hypoxic-hemorrhagic damage to the central nervous system occurs during birth trauma and is accompanied by cerebral circulation disorders, including hemorrhages.

In recent years, the diagnostic capabilities of children's medical institutions have improved significantly. After one month of the child’s life, a neurologist can determine the exact nature and extent of damage to the central nervous system, as well as predict the further course of the disease, or completely remove suspicion of brain disease. The diagnosis can be characterized either by complete recovery or the development of minimal disorders of the central nervous system, or by severe diseases that require mandatory treatment and regular monitoring by a neurologist.

Treatment of the acute period of perinatal CNS lesions is carried out in a hospital. Drug therapy, massage, physical therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures, acupuncture, as well as elements of pedagogical correction are used as the main treatment of the disease.

Organic damage to the central nervous system

This diagnosis means that a person's brain is defective to a certain extent. Pathomorphological changes occur in the brain substance. A mild degree of organic damage to the central nervous system is characteristic of almost all people and does not require medical intervention. But the moderate and severe degree of this disease is already a disruption of the nervous system. Symptoms include freezing spells, sleep disturbances, increased excitability, easy distractibility, repetition of phrases, and daytime enuresis. Vision and hearing may deteriorate, and coordination of movements may be impaired. Human immunity decreases, and various colds occur.

The causes of organic damage to the central nervous system are divided into congenital and acquired. The first include cases when during pregnancy the mother of the child suffered an infection (acute respiratory infection, flu, sore throat), took certain medications, smoked and drank alcohol. During periods of psychological stress in the mother, the unified blood supply system can transfer stress hormones to the fetus’s body. The impact is caused by sudden changes in temperature and pressure, exposure to radioactive and toxic substances contained in the air, dissolved in water, food, etc.

Diagnosing organic damage to the central nervous system is quite simple. An experienced psychiatrist can determine the presence or absence of organic matter by looking at a child’s face. However, the types of disorders in the functioning of the brain are determined by laboratory diagnostics, which are based on a series of procedures that are harmless to the body and informative for the doctor: ultrasound diagnostics of the brain, electroencephalogram, rheoencephalogram.

Treatment of organic matter is a very long process. It is mainly medicinal. To treat organic damage to the central nervous system, medications are used. For example, nootropic drugs can improve brain activity. Vascular drugs are used.

Children are often diagnosed with “residual damage to the LES.” Residual organic damage to the central nervous system occurs in children mainly as residual effects of birth injuries and brain disorders. It manifests itself as a disorder of associative thinking, and in more severe cases, neurological disorders. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor. Various elements of pedagogical correction and concentration exercises are used, and sessions with a psychologist and speech therapist are useful.

The consequences of damage to the central nervous system depend primarily on the degree of the disease. It is possible that a complete recovery may occur, as well as a delay in the child’s mental, motor or speech development, various neurological reactions, etc. It is important that during the first year of life the child receives full rehabilitation.

Help children with diseases affecting the central nervous system

At the moment, there are no children with this diagnosis in the care of our foundation. However, you can help sick children with other diagnoses!

If a doctor talks about neuralgia and even VSD, then an ordinary person has at least an approximate idea of what he is talking about. But the diagnosis of “residual organic damage to the central nervous system,” as a rule, baffles everyone (except doctors). It is clear that this is “something in the head.” But what? How dangerous it is and whether it can be treated - this topic requires a serious approach.

What is hidden behind the complex term?

Before revealing such a medical concept as residual organic damage to the central nervous system, it is necessary to understand what is generally meant by an organic disorder. This means that dystrophic changes occur in the brain - cells are destroyed and die, that is, this organ is in an unstable state. The word “residual” indicates that the pathology appeared in a person during the perinatal period (when he was still in the womb) - from the 154th day of gestation (in other words, at 22 weeks), when the fetus weighed 500 g, and 7 days after birth. The disease is that the functioning of the central nervous system organs is disrupted. Thus, a person acquires this pathology as an infant, and it can manifest itself both immediately after birth and in adulthood. The cause of its development in adults is trauma, intoxication (including alcohol, drugs), inflammatory diseases (encephalitis, meningitis).

Why does the brain or spinal cord suffer (it also belongs to the central nervous system)? If we talk about the second, then the reason may be incorrect obstetric care - for example, inaccurate turns of the head when delivering the baby. Residual organic brain damage develops due to genetic disorders transmitted by inheritance, maternal illness, abnormal birth, stress, poor nutrition and behavior of the pregnant woman (in particular, taking dietary supplements, medications that adversely affect the formation of nervous system organs), asphyxia during time of childbirth, infectious diseases of a nursing woman and other unfavorable factors.

Not like everyone else! External signs of a dangerous inheritance

It is quite difficult to identify residual organic damage to the central nervous system in children without instrumental examination methods. Parents may not notice anything unusual in the baby’s physical condition or behavior. But an experienced neurologist will most likely notice alarming symptoms. His attention will be drawn to the following characteristic signs of pathology in a baby:

involuntary trembling of the upper limbs and chin;
unmotivated anxiety;
lack of muscle tension (which is typical for newborns);
lag from the accepted timing of the formation of voluntary movements.

With severe brain damage, the picture of the disease looks like this:

paralysis of any limb;
blindness;
impaired pupil movement, strabismus;
reflex failure.

In an older child and an adult, the pathology may manifest itself with the following symptoms:

fatigue, unstable mood, inability to adapt to physical and mental stress, increased irritability, moodiness;
tic, fears, nocturnal enuresis;
mental anxiety, absent-mindedness;
poor memory, retardation in intellectual and speech development, low learning ability, impaired perception;
aggression, agitation, hysterics and lack of self-criticism;
inability to make independent decisions, suppression, dependence;
motor hyperactivity;
diffuse headache (especially in the morning);
progressive loss of vision;
occasional vomiting without nausea;
convulsions.

Important! At the first, even minor, signs of organic brain damage, it is recommended to immediately contact a highly qualified specialist, since a timely diagnosis significantly reduces the risk of developing dangerous and irreversible consequences.

Read also:

What diagnostic procedures will confirm the diagnosis?

Today, the following methods are used to diagnose this pathology:

MRI of the brain;
electroencephalography;
raoencephalography.

The patient must be examined by several specialists: a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a defectologist, a speech therapist.

Is it possible to cure the brain?

It must be understood that the term “residual organic lesion of the central nervous system, unspecified” (ICD code 10 - G96.9) means several pathologies. Therefore, the choice of therapeutic methods of influence depends on the prevalence, location, degree of necrotization of nervous tissue and the patient’s condition. The medicinal component of treatment usually includes sedatives, nootropics, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antipsychotics, psychostimulants, drugs that improve cerebral circulation, and vitamin complexes. Physiotherapy, acupuncture, bioacoustic correction of GM, and massage sessions give good results. A child with such a diagnosis needs psychotherapeutic influence, neuropsychological rehabilitation, and the help of a speech therapist.

Although it is believed that organic lesions of the nervous system are persistent and lifelong, with mild disorders and an integrated approach to therapy, it is still possible to achieve a complete recovery. With severe lesions, it is possible to develop cerebral edema, spasm of the respiratory muscles, and malfunction of the center that controls the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, constant medical monitoring of the patient’s condition is indicated. The consequence of this pathology can be epilepsy and mental retardation. In the worst case scenario, when the extent of the damage is too great, it can lead to the death of the newborn or fetus.

A pathology characterized by cell death in the spinal cord or brain – organic damage to the central nervous system. In severe cases of the disease, a person’s nervous system becomes defective; he needs constant care, since he cannot care for himself or perform work duties.

However, if an organic disorder is detected in a timely manner, the prognosis is quite favorable - the activity of the affected cells is restored. The success of treatment is the complexity and completeness of the treatment, the implementation of all the doctor’s recommendations.

Another name for organic damage to the central nervous system is encephalopathy. Its signs can be detected in most people after 65–75 years of age, and in some cases even in children - with toxic damage to the structures of the head. In general, experts divide pathology into congenital and acquired forms, based on the time of trauma and death of nerve cells.

Classification of pathology:

Due to appearance: traumatic, toxic, alcoholic, infectious, radiation, genetic, discirculatory, ischemic.
By time of appearance: intrauterine, early children, late children, adults.
Based on the presence of complications: complicated, uncomplicated.

In the absence of an obvious cause for the death of nerve cells and the symptoms accompanying this process, an unclear ROP of the central nervous system occurs (residual organic damage to the central nervous system). In this case, experts will recommend additional examination methods in order to correctly classify the disease.

Causes of ROP in children

As a rule, organic damage to the central nervous system in children is a congenital pathology, which can be caused by acute severe or mild but prolonged oxygen deprivation of the area, which forms during the intrauterine development of the brain. Excessively long labor. Premature abruption of the placenta, the organ responsible for feeding the baby inside the uterus. Significant weakening of the tone of the uterus and subsequent oxygen starvation of the tissues.

Less commonly, the cause of irreversible changes in the nerve cells of the fetus are infections suffered by the woman - for example, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, pneumonia. If infectious agents have penetrated the protective membranes of the uterus, they have an extremely negative impact on the course of pregnancy, especially at the stage of formation of the central cerebral system.

In addition, the following can lead to the appearance of residual organic brain lesions in children:

birth injuries - when the fetus passes through a woman’s birth canal;
the tendency of the expectant mother to use tobacco and alcohol products;
daily inhalation of toxic substances by a pregnant woman - work in hazardous industries with high indoor gas pollution, for example, in paint factories.

The mechanism for the development of CNS ROP in a child can be imagined as a distortion of information during cell division due to breakdowns in the DNA chain - brain structures are formed incorrectly and can become unviable.

Causes in adults

In most cases, experts indicate various external causes as provoking factors for residual damage.

Traumatic brain injuries – for example, car accidents, household injuries. Infectious lesions are the main microorganisms of the viral nature Coxsackie, ECHO, as well as herpes viruses, staphylococci, HIV infection. Intoxication – a person’s consumption of alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco, or frequent contact with salts of heavy metals, taking certain subgroups of medications;

Vascular disorders - for example, ischemic/hemorrhagic strokes, atherosclerosis, various cerebral vascular anomalies. Demyelinating pathologies most often indicate multiple sclerosis, which is based on the destruction of the sheath of nerve endings. Neurodegenerative conditions are mainly syndromes that occur in old age.

Increasingly, neoplasms – tumors – lead to organic damage to the central nervous system. In the case of rapid growth, they put pressure on neighboring areas, injuring the cells. The result is an organic syndrome.

Symptoms in children

Signs of damage in babies can be observed from the first days of life. Such children are characterized by tearfulness, irritability, poor appetite and anxious, intermittent sleep. In severe cases, episodes of epilepsy are possible.

At an early stage, it is difficult for even a highly professional neurologist to identify organic damage to the central nervous system, since the baby’s movements are chaotic and the intellect is still underdeveloped. However, Upon careful examination and questioning of parents, it is possible to establish:

violation of the baby’s muscle tone – hypertonicity;
involuntary movements of the head and limbs - more intense than should be the case in children of the same age;
paresis/paralysis;
disturbance of eyeball movements;
malfunctions of the sense organs.

Closer to the year, symptoms will indicate organic lesions of the central nervous system:

lagging behind in intellectual development - the baby does not follow toys, does not speak, does not fulfill requests made to him;
severe delay in general physical development - does not hold his head up, does not coordinate movements, does not attempt to crawl or walk;
increased fatigue of children - both physical and intellectual, failure to master the educational program;
emotional immaturity, instability - rapid mood swings, self-absorption, capriciousness and tearfulness;
various psychopathy - from a tendency to affect to severe depression;
infantilism of the individual - increased dependence of the baby on the parents, even in everyday trifles.

Timely detection and comprehensive treatment of central nervous system lesions in childhood makes it possible to compensate for negative manifestations and socialize the child - he learns and works with peers almost equally.

Symptoms in adults

If residual damage to the central nervous system in adults is caused by vascular changes, it will manifest itself gradually. People around may notice a person’s increased absent-mindedness, decreased memory, and intellectual capabilities. As the pathological disorder worsens, new symptoms and signs are added:

– long-lasting, intense, in different parts of the skull;
nervousness – excessive, unreasonable, sudden;
dizziness - persistent, of varying severity, not associated with other pathologies;
surges in intracranial pressure - sometimes to significant figures;
attention – scattered, difficult to control;
movements are uncoordinated, unsteady gait, fine motor skills suffer, up to the inability to hold a spoon, book, cane;
epilepsy - seizures from rare and weak to frequent and severe;
mood changes quickly, up to hysterical reactions and antisocial behavior.

Residual organic damage in adults is often irreversible, since its causes are tumors, injuries, and vascular pathologies.

A person’s quality of life is reduced - he loses the ability to care for himself, perform work duties, and becomes deeply disabled. To prevent this, it is recommended to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Diagnostics

If symptoms of organic damage to the central nervous system appear, the specialist will definitely recommend modern methods of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics:

blood tests - general, biochemical, for antibodies to infections;
tomography - the study of brain structures through multiple x-rays;
brain tissue, as well as blood vessels;
electroencephalography – identifying the focus of pathological brain activity;
neurosonography – helps analyze the conductivity of brain cells, detects small hemorrhages in the tissue;
analysis of cerebrospinal fluid - its excess/deficiency, inflammatory processes.

According to individual needs, the patient will need to undergo consultations with an ophthalmologist, endocrinologist, traumatologist, and infectious disease specialist.

Only after examining the organic damage to the central nervous system from all sides does the doctor have the opportunity to draw up a full-fledged drug therapy regimen. Success in the fight against a negative condition is the timely and complete identification of the provoking causes, as well as the implementation of all prescribed treatment measures.

Treatment tactics

Eliminating organic damage to the central nervous system is not an easy task, which requires maximum effort from both doctors and the patient himself. Treatment will require an investment of time and effort, as well as finances, since the main emphasis is on rehabilitation - sanatorium courses, specialized training, acupuncture, reflexology.

Only after the main cause of brain damage has been established, it must be eliminated - restore blood circulation, improve nerve conduction of impulses between cells, remove a tumor or blood clot.

Subgroups of medications:

means for improving local and general blood circulation - nootropics, for example, Piracetam, Phenotropil;
medications for correcting mental processes, suppressing perverted desires - Phenozepam, Sonopax;
sedatives – plant/synthetic based.

Additional procedures:

massage – correction of muscle activity;
acupuncture - effects on nerve centers;
physiotherapeutic treatment – magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis;
swimming;
psychotherapeutic influence - classes with a psychologist to establish connections between the patient and surrounding people, society;
speech correction;
specialized training.

The ultimate goal of treatment is to maximally improve the condition of a person with organic lesions of the central nervous system, improve his quality of life and adapt to the disease. Of course, the main burden of caring for such a patient falls on the shoulders of his relatives. Therefore, doctors also work with them - they teach them the skills of administering medications, the basics of gymnastics, and psychological behavior.

With due diligence, as well as patience, the positive result and impact will be obvious - the manifestations of residual encephalopathy will be minimal, life will be active, and self-care will be the maximum possible for the level of damage. ROP is not a sentence at all, but an ordeal that can and must be overcome.

As a result of such lesions in the brain, degenerative disorders occur, destruction and death of brain cells or their necrosis. Organic damage is divided into several stages of development. The first stage is characteristic of most ordinary people, which is considered the norm. But the second and third require medical intervention.

Residual damage to the central nervous system is the same diagnosis, which shows that the disease appeared and persisted in a person during the perinatal period. Most often this affects infants.

From this we can draw an obvious conclusion. Residual organic damage to the central nervous system is a disorder of the brain or spinal cord that occurred while the child was still in the womb (at least 154 days from the date of conception) or within a week after his birth.

Mechanism of damage

One of all the “inconsistencies” of the disease is the fact that a disorder of this type belongs to neuropathology, but its symptoms may relate to other branches of medicine.

Due to an external factor, the mother experiences disruptions in the formation of the phenotype of cells that are responsible for the full list of functions of the central nervous system. As a result, fetal development is delayed. It is this process that can become the last link on the path to central nervous system disorders.

Regarding the spinal cord (this is also part of the central nervous system), corresponding lesions can appear as a result of incorrect obstetric care or inaccurate turns of the head when delivering the child.

Causes and risk factors

The perinatal period can also be called a “fragile period”, because during this time literally any unfavorable factor can cause the development of defects in the central nervous system of the infant or fetus.

For example, medical practice has cases that show that organic damage to the central nervous system is caused by the following reasons:

hereditary diseases that are characterized by chromosome pathology;
diseases of the expectant mother;
violation of the birth calendar (long and difficult labor, premature birth);
development of pathology during pregnancy;
poor nutrition, lack of vitamins;
environmental factors;
taking medications during pregnancy;
stress of the mother during pregnancy;
asphyxia during childbirth;
uterine atony;
infectious diseases (and during lactation);
immaturity of a pregnant girl.

In addition, the development of pathological changes can be influenced by the use of various dietary supplements or sports nutrition. Their composition can have a detrimental effect on a person with certain characteristics of the body.

Classification of CNS lesions

Perinatal damage to the central nervous system is divided into several types:

Hypoxic-ischemic. Characterized by internal or postnatal lesions of the brain. Appears as a result of chronic asphyxia. Simply put, the main cause of such damage is oxygen deficiency in the fetal body (hypoxia).
Traumatic. This is a type of injury that occurs to a newborn during childbirth.
Hypoxic-traumatic. This is a combination of oxygen deficiency with injury to the spinal cord and cervical spine.
Hypoxic-hemorrhagic. Such damage is characterized by trauma during childbirth, accompanied by a failure of blood circulation in the brain with subsequent hemorrhages.

Symptoms depending on severity

In children, residual organic damage is difficult to see with the naked eye, but an experienced neurologist, already at the first examination of the baby, will be able to determine the external signs of the disease.

Often this is an involuntary trembling of the chin and arms, a restless state of the baby, a syndrome of tone disorders (lack of tension in the skeletal muscles).

And, if the damage is severe, it can manifest itself as neurological symptoms:

paralysis of any limb;
disturbance of eye movements;
reflex failures;
loss of vision.

In some cases, symptoms can only be noticed after undergoing certain diagnostic procedures. This feature is called the silent course of the disease.

General symptoms of residual organic damage to the central nervous system:

unreasonable fatigue;
irritability;
aggression;
mental instability;
changeable mood;
decreased intellectual abilities;
constant mental anxiety;
inhibition of actions;
pronounced absent-mindedness.

In addition, the patient is characterized by symptoms of mental infantilism, brain dysfunction and personality disorders. As the disease progresses, the set of symptoms can be replenished with new pathologies, which, if left untreated, can lead to disability and, in the worst case, death.

Necessary set of measures

It is no secret that diseases of this degree of danger are difficult to cure using single methods. And even more so, to eliminate residual organic damage to the central nervous system, it is even more necessary to prescribe complex treatment. Even with a combination of several therapy methods, the recovery process will take quite a long time.

To select the correct complex, you must strictly consult your doctor. Typically, the prescribed therapy includes the following set of measures.

Treatment with various medications:

External correction (treatment with external stimulation):

massage;
physiotherapy (laser therapy, myostimulation, electrophoresis, etc.);
reflexology and acupuncture.

Neurocorrection methods

Neurocorrection is a psychological technique that is used to restore impaired and lost functions of the brain.

If there are speech defects or neuropsychic disorders, specialists involve a psychologist or speech therapist in treatment. And in case of manifestation of dementia, it is recommended to seek help from teachers of educational institutions.

In addition, the patient is registered with a neurologist. He must undergo regular examination by the doctor who is treating him. The doctor may prescribe new medications and other therapeutic measures as the need arises. Depending on the severity of the disease, the patient may require constant monitoring by family and friends.

We emphasize that treatment of residual organic damage to the central nervous system during the period of acute manifestation is carried out only in a hospital setting, and only under the supervision of a qualified specialist.

Rehabilitation is all in the hands of the mother and doctors

Rehabilitation measures for this disease, as well as for its treatment, should be prescribed by the attending physician. They are aimed at eliminating existing complications in accordance with the patient’s age.

For remaining movement disorders, physical methods are usually prescribed. First of all, it is recommended to do therapeutic exercises, the main idea of which will be aimed at “revitalizing” the affected areas. Additionally, physical therapy relieves swelling of nerve tissue and restores muscle tone.

Mental development delays are eliminated with the help of special drugs that have a nootropic effect. In addition to the pills, they also conduct classes with a speech therapist.

Anticonvulsants are used to reduce the activity of epilepsy. The dosage and the drug itself must be prescribed by the attending physician.

Increased intracranial pressure should be eliminated by constant monitoring of cerebrospinal fluid. Pharmaceutical drugs are prescribed that increase and accelerate its outflow.

It is very important to eradicate the disease at the first alarm bells. This will enable the person to lead a normal life in the future.

Complications, consequences and prognosis

According to the experience of doctors, organic damage to the central nervous system in children can cause the following consequences:

mental development disorders;
speech defects;
delayed speech development;
lack of self-control;
hysterical attacks;
disruption of the normal development of the brain;
post-traumatic stress disorder;
epilepsy attacks;
vegetative-visceral syndrome;
neurotic disorders;
neurasthenia.

In children, quite often such disorders affect adaptation to environmental conditions, manifestations of hyperactivity or, on the contrary, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Today, the diagnosis of “residual organic damage to the central nervous system” is made quite often. For this reason, doctors are trying to improve their diagnostic and treatment abilities.

The exact characteristics and features of a certain type of lesion make it possible to calculate the further development of the disease and prevent it. In the best case, suspicion of the disease can be completely removed.

This section was created to take care of those who need a qualified specialist, without disturbing the usual rhythm of their own lives.

CNS damage in newborns

The central nervous system is precisely the mechanism that helps a person grow and navigate in this world. But sometimes this mechanism malfunctions and “breaks.” It is especially scary if this happens in the first minutes and days of a child’s independent life or even before he is born. We will talk about why a child’s central nervous system is affected and how to help the baby in this article.

What it is

The central nervous system is a close “ligament” of two important links - the brain and spinal cord. The main function that nature assigned to the central nervous system is to provide reflexes, both simple (swallowing, sucking, breathing) and complex. The central nervous system, or rather its middle and lower sections, regulates the activity of all organs and systems and ensures communication between them. The highest section is the cerebral cortex. It is responsible for self-awareness and self-awareness, for a person’s connection with the world, with the reality surrounding the child.

Disorders, and consequently, damage to the central nervous system, can begin during the development of the fetus in the mother’s womb, or can occur under the influence of certain factors immediately or some time after birth.

Which part of the central nervous system is affected will determine which body functions will be impaired, and the degree of damage will determine the extent of the consequences.

Causes

In children with central nervous system disorders, about half of all cases occur due to intrauterine lesions; doctors call this perinatal pathologies of the central nervous system. Moreover, more than 70% of them are premature babies who were born before the expected obstetric period. In this case, the main root cause lies in the immaturity of all organs and systems, including the nervous system; it is not ready for autonomous work.

Approximately 9-10% of toddlers born with lesions of the central nervous system were born on time with normal weight. Experts believe that the state of the nervous system in this case is influenced by negative intrauterine factors, such as prolonged hypoxia, which the baby experienced in the mother’s womb during gestation, birth injuries, as well as a state of acute oxygen starvation during a difficult delivery, metabolic disorders of the child, which Infectious diseases suffered by the expectant mother and complications of pregnancy began even before birth. All lesions that resulted from the above factors during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth are also called residual organic:

Fetal hypoxia. Most often, babies whose mothers abuse alcohol, drugs, smoke or work in hazardous industries suffer from a lack of oxygen in the blood during pregnancy. The number of abortions that preceded this birth is also of great importance, since the changes that occur in the tissues of the uterus after termination of pregnancy contribute to the disruption of uterine blood flow during subsequent pregnancies.

Traumatic causes. Birth injuries can be associated with both incorrectly chosen delivery tactics and medical errors during the birth process. Injuries also include actions that lead to disruption of the child’s central nervous system after childbirth, in the first hours after birth.
Fetal metabolic disorders. Such processes usually begin in the first - early second trimester. They are directly related to disruption of the functioning of the organs and systems of the baby’s body under the influence of poisons, toxins, and certain medications.
Infections in the mother. Diseases that are caused by viruses (measles, rubella, chickenpox, cytomegalovirus infection and a number of other ailments) are especially dangerous if the disease occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Pathologies of pregnancy. The state of the child’s central nervous system is influenced by a variety of features of the gestation period - polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios, pregnancy with twins or triplets, placental abruption and other reasons.
Severe genetic diseases. Typically, pathologies such as Down and Edwards syndromes, trisomy and a number of others are accompanied by significant organic changes in the central nervous system.

At the current level of development of medicine, CNS pathologies become obvious to neonatologists already in the first hours after the baby is born. Less often - in the first weeks.

Sometimes, especially with organic lesions of mixed origin, the true cause cannot be established, especially if it is related to the perinatal period.

Classification and symptoms

The list of possible symptoms depends on the causes, degree and extent of damage to the brain or spinal cord, or combined damage. The outcome is also influenced by the time of negative impact - how long the child was exposed to factors that affected the activity and functionality of the central nervous system. It is important to quickly determine the period of the disease - acute, early recovery, late recovery or the period of residual effects.

All pathologies of the central nervous system have three degrees of severity:

Easy. This degree is manifested by a slight increase or decrease in the baby’s muscle tone, and convergent strabismus may be observed.

Average. With such lesions, muscle tone is always reduced, reflexes are completely or partially absent. This condition is replaced by hypertonicity and convulsions. Characteristic oculomotor disturbances appear.
Heavy. Not only motor function and muscle tone suffer, but also internal organs. If the central nervous system is severely depressed, convulsions of varying intensity may begin. Problems with cardiac and renal activity can be severe, as can the development of respiratory failure. The intestines may be paralyzed. The adrenal glands do not produce the necessary hormones in the required quantities.

According to the etiology of the cause that caused problems with the activity of the brain or spinal cord, pathologies are divided (however, very arbitrarily) into:

Hypoxic (ischemic, intracranial hemorrhages, combined).
Traumatic (birth injuries of the skull, birth spinal lesions, birth pathologies of peripheral nerves).
Dysmetabolic (kernicterus, excess levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium in the child’s blood and tissues).
Infectious (consequences of infections suffered by the mother, hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension).

The clinical manifestations of different types of lesions also differ significantly from each other:

Ischemic lesions. The most “harmless” disease is grade 1 cerebral ischemia. With it, the child demonstrates central nervous system disorders only in the first 7 days after birth. The reason most often lies in fetal hypoxia. At this time, the baby can observe relatively mild signs of excitement or depression of the central nervous system.
The second degree of this disease is diagnosed if disturbances and even seizures last more than a week after birth. We can talk about the third degree if the child has constantly increased intracranial pressure, frequent and severe convulsions are observed, and there are other autonomic disorders.

Typically, this degree of cerebral ischemia tends to progress, the child’s condition worsens, and the baby may fall into a coma.

Hypoxic cerebral hemorrhages. If, as a result of oxygen starvation, a child has hemorrhage inside the ventricles of the brain, then in the first degree there may be no symptoms and signs at all. But the second and third degrees of such hemorrhage lead to severe brain damage - convulsive syndrome, the development of shock. The child may fall into a coma. If blood enters the subarachnoid cavity, the child will be diagnosed with overexcitation of the central nervous system. There is a high probability of developing acute dropsy of the brain.

Bleeding into the underlying substance of the brain is not always noticeable at all. Much depends on which part of the brain is affected.

Traumatic lesions, birth injuries. If during the birth process doctors had to use forceps on the baby’s head and something went wrong, if acute hypoxia occurred, then most often this is followed by a cerebral hemorrhage. During birth trauma, the child experiences convulsions to a more or less pronounced degree, the pupil on one side (the one where the hemorrhage occurred) increases in size. The main sign of traumatic injury to the central nervous system is increased pressure inside the child's skull. Acute hydrocephalus may develop. The neurologist testifies that in this case the central nervous system is more often excited than depressed. Not only the brain, but also the spinal cord can be injured. This most often manifests itself as sprains, tears, and hemorrhage. In children, breathing is impaired, hypotension of all muscles, and spinal shock are observed.
Dysmetabolic lesions. With such pathologies, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the child has increased blood pressure, convulsive attacks are observed, and consciousness is quite clearly depressed. The cause can be determined by blood tests that show either a critical deficiency of calcium, or a lack of sodium, or another imbalance of other substances.

Periods

The prognosis and course of the disease depends on what period the baby is in. There are three main periods of development of pathology:

Spicy. The violations have just begun and have not yet had time to cause serious consequences. This is usually the first month of a child’s independent life, the newborn period. At this time, a baby with lesions of the central nervous system usually sleeps poorly and restlessly, cries often and for no apparent reason, he is excitable, and can flinch without a stimulus even in his sleep. Muscle tone is increased or decreased. If the degree of damage is higher than the first, then reflexes may weaken, in particular, the baby will begin to suck and swallow worse and weaker. During this period, the baby may begin to develop hydrocephalus, which will be manifested by noticeable head growth and strange eye movements.

Restorative. It can be early or late. If the baby is aged 2-4 months, then they talk about early recovery, if he is already from 5 to 12 months, then about late recovery. Sometimes parents notice disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system in their baby for the first time in the early period. At 2 months, such toddlers hardly express any emotions and are not interested in bright hanging toys. In the late period, the child noticeably lags behind in his development, does not sit, does not walk, his cry is quiet and usually very monotonous, without emotional coloration.
Consequences. This period begins after the child turns one year old. At this age, the doctor is able to most accurately assess the consequences of a central nervous system disorder in this particular case. Symptoms may disappear, but the disease does not go away. Most often, doctors make such verdicts per year on such children as hyperactivity syndrome, developmental delay (speech, physical, mental).

The most severe diagnoses that may indicate the consequences of central nervous system pathologies are hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.

Treatment

We can talk about treatment when lesions of the central nervous system are diagnosed with maximum accuracy. Unfortunately, in modern medical practice, there is a problem of overdiagnosis, in other words, every baby whose chin trembles during a monthly examination, who eats poorly and sleeps restlessly, can easily be diagnosed with “cerebral ischemia.” If a neurologist claims that your baby has central nervous system lesions, you should definitely insist on a comprehensive diagnosis, which will include an ultrasound of the brain (through the fontanel), computed tomography, and in special cases, an x-ray of the skull or spine.

Each diagnosis that is in some way associated with lesions of the central nervous system must be diagnostically confirmed. If signs of a central nervous system disorder are noticed in the maternity hospital, then timely assistance provided by neonatologists helps to minimize the severity of possible consequences. It just sounds scary - damage to the central nervous system. In fact, most of these pathologies are reversible and subject to correction if detected in time.

For treatment, medications that improve blood flow and blood supply to the brain are usually used - a large group of nootropic drugs, vitamin therapy, anticonvulsants.

Only a doctor can give an exact list of medications, since this list depends on the causes, degree, period and depth of the lesion. Drug treatment for newborns and infants is usually provided in a hospital setting. After relief of symptoms, the main stage of therapy begins, aimed at restoring proper functioning of the central nervous system. This stage usually takes place at home, and parents bear a great deal of responsibility for following numerous medical recommendations.

Children with functional and organic disorders of the central nervous system need:

therapeutic massage, including hydromassage (procedures take place in water);
electrophoresis, exposure to magnetic fields;
Vojta therapy (a set of exercises that allows you to destroy reflex incorrect connections and create new - correct ones, thereby correcting movement disorders);
Physiotherapy for the development and stimulation of the development of sensory organs (music therapy, light therapy, color therapy).

Such exposures are allowed for children from 1 month and must be supervised by specialists.

A little later, parents will be able to master the techniques of therapeutic massage on their own, but for several sessions it is better to go to a professional, although this is quite an expensive pleasure.

Consequences and forecasts

The future prognosis for a child with lesions of the central nervous system can be quite favorable, provided that he is provided with prompt and timely medical care in the acute or early recovery period. This statement is true only for mild and moderate lesions of the central nervous system. In this case, the main prognosis includes full recovery and restoration of all functions, minor developmental delay, subsequent development of hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder.

In severe forms, the prognosis is not so optimistic. The child may remain disabled, and deaths at an early age are not excluded. Most often, lesions of the central nervous system of this kind lead to the development of hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, and epileptic seizures. As a rule, some internal organs also suffer; the child simultaneously experiences chronic diseases of the kidneys, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and marbled skin.

Prevention

Prevention of pathologies from the central nervous system in a child is the task of the expectant mother. At risk are women who do not give up bad habits while carrying a baby - smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs.

All pregnant women must be registered with an obstetrician-gynecologist in the antenatal clinic. During pregnancy, they will be asked to undergo so-called screening three times, which identifies the risks of having a child with genetic disorders from that particular pregnancy. Many gross pathologies of the fetal central nervous system become noticeable even during pregnancy; some problems can be corrected with medications, for example, disturbances in uteroplacental blood flow, fetal hypoxia, and the threat of miscarriage due to a small detachment.

A pregnant woman needs to monitor her diet, take vitamin complexes for expectant mothers, not self-medicate, and be careful about various medications that have to be taken during the period of bearing a child.

This will avoid metabolic disorders in the baby. You should be especially careful when choosing a maternity home (the birth certificate that all pregnant women receive allows you to make any choice). After all, the actions of personnel during the birth of a child play a large role in the possible risks of traumatic lesions of the central nervous system in the baby.

After the birth of a healthy baby, it is very important to regularly visit the pediatrician, protect the baby from injuries to the skull and spine, and get age-appropriate vaccinations that will protect the little one from dangerous infectious diseases, which at an early age can also lead to the development of pathologies of the central nervous system.

In the next video you will learn about signs of a nervous system disorder in a newborn, which you can determine yourself.

Copying site materials is possible only if you install an active link to our site.