1- Does nutrition have an effect on brain development?
The most important factor affecting the growth and development of the child after birth is nutrition. It has been scientifically shown that the brain development of babies who are inadequately nourished or malnourished stops. There is no special food that improves the brain other than breast milk. For the first six months, breast milk alone is sufficient to nourish the baby. Afterwards, the baby reaches maturity to eat everything, including transitional foods. As the child grows, nutritional needs change. Brain development also parallels body development. For children's growth and development, a natural and balanced diet that is age-appropriate and rich in vitamins and minerals is recommended. Today, in developed countries, children are better nourished, grow up in conditions suitable for better health, are better protected from diseases, and are raised by better-educated parents. In our country, this striking development over time plays an important role in the growth and development of children, and with the increase in opportunities and awareness of parents, we are raising children who are healthier in terms of body and brain compared to previous years.
2- Risk factors affecting brain development What are the conditions?
In order for the brain to complete its healthy development, it must be structurally, physiologically and functionally protected and well nourished, both literally and figuratively.
The formation and development of the brain begins in the womb. The brain, which begins to form at the end of the first third week of pregnancy, continues its development until birth. Maintaining a healthy pregnancy and completing it on time is inevitable for the brain to be healthy, as well as all body organs. Very premature birth, maternal roof irregularity, abnormal placement of the baby in the womb (e.g. breech presentation), cord entanglement, maternal diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, multiple pregnancies, difficult and prolonged births, birth traumas may cause oxygen deprivation in the newborn baby's brain and These are risky situations that may cause damage. Pregnancy at an appropriate age, pregnancy follow-up under doctor supervision, healthy nutrition of the mother, protection of the mother from drugs, radiation, trauma and infections during pregnancy are the main precautions to be taken to protect the fetal brain. are remedial measures. Head cooling (hypothermia) treatment applied in advanced infant intensive care units is the most effective brain-protective medical treatment for babies born with problems and at risk of brain damage.
The physical structure is protected thanks to the compact anatomy of the skull. However, traumas, some drugs and poisons can cause damage. It is possible to prevent these damages before they happen with some simple precautions and foresight. For example, for a newly mobile child, arranging furniture at home against impact, taking precautions against home accidents, protecting opening drawers, electrical outlets, windows and doors, and fixing cabinets and household items that may fall to the wall are some of these. Babies should not travel in the front seat without a baby seat in the car, young children should not travel in the front seat until they are old enough to wear a seat belt, using a helmet while cycling, and wearing a hat in very cold and very sunny places are examples of precautions that should be taken to physically protect the brain outside.
3- How can a gifted baby be recognized?
Families view the idea of their children being more intelligent than their peers as something to be admired. However, intelligence being superior to normal should be evaluated as a different situation, outside of normal, just like having retarded intelligence. These children have to go through a special education and development process that is different from their peers. They may encounter communication problems, socialization problems and mood changes. Sometimes they occur as part of a disease.
Intelligence begins genetically with the transition from the structural characteristics of the mother and father and develops and matures with environmental factors. Children can sometimes surprise you with unexpected words and behaviors during their growth stages. Such situations alone do not show that your child is gifted. Today's environmental factors contribute to faster development of children. In general, babies with above-average intelligence may begin their language development by starting to talk earlier than their peers, walking earlier, and developing their perceptions earlier. However, intelligence level may not be clearly understood during infancy. As the child grows, he perceives his surroundings, It can be noticed that the skills of comparison, problem solving, drawing conclusions, taking action and using imagination develop earlier than their peers. In this case, diagnosis can only be made by applying professional intelligence tests.
4- Can muscle diseases be neurologically based?
The functions of muscles to move, protect the body and maintain the body's posture. In order for it to work, the nerves going to the muscle and the muscle-nerve junction areas must be intact. Most of the diseases caused by the muscle itself are congenital genetic diseases. For example, the disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), one of the most common muscle diseases, is a disease of progressive genetic origin that is seen in men and is carried by women. On the other hand, in diseases such as Poliomyelitis (polio) in which nerve stem cells are damaged, muscles cannot function and gradually decrease in volume. The most common disease of the muscle-nerve junction unit is a disease called Myasthenia Gravis. Since nerve conduction cannot reach the muscle, the muscle cannot function. These are examples of neurologically based muscle diseases.
5- Which diseases does a child neurologist treat? What are pediatric neurology diseases?
Neurological problems of the newborn (term, premature)
Neurological follow-up of at-risk babies (risk of cerebral palsy and neurological development defects)
Neuro-metabolic diseases (neurological consequences of congenital metabolic diseases)
Heredo-degenerative diseases (progressive familial neurological diseases)
Neurocutaneous diseases (Tuberous sclerosis, Neurofibromatosis, etc.)
Neurobehavioral developmental disorders (Hyperactivity, autism, attention deficit, learning disabilities)
Paroxysmal disorders (Epilepsy, Headache, Migraine, seizures, etc.)
Sleep disorders
Movement and balance disorders (Ataxia, Vertigo-dizziness, etc.)
Brain damage and consciousness disorders
Nervous system infectious diseases (Meningitis, meningo encephalitis, etc.)
Nervous system tumors and vascular diseases
Neuromuscular diseases (Muscle diseases, peripheral nerve diseases)
Neuroimmunological diseases
Neurological effects of systemic diseases next
6- How can it be understood that babies / children have seizures? How to protect? What to do?
FEBRITICAL SEIZURES OR FEBRITICAL SEIZURES
Febrile seizures or febrile seizures accompanied by fever in children between one month and six years of age who do not have a central nervous system infection and an identified cause. It is called (Febrile Convulsion).
The frequency may vary between societies. For example, it is 2-4% in the USA and Europe, 3.3% in Turkey, and 9-10% in Japan. It is most common between 6 months and 3 years of age. The frequency of occurrence is 14-18. It peaks in months.
Febrile seizures are more common in some children than in the general population:
– Those with a family history of febrile seizures,
– In the neonatal period, in the hospital for more than one month. Those who stay longer,
– Those with developmental delays
– The risk is higher in those who go to nursery.
Children with two of these risk factors have a higher rate of febrile seizures than other children in the society. It is 30% more. Likewise, if a parent has a febrile seizure, the risk is 10-50%, and if a sibling has a febrile seizure, the risk is 10-25%.
Studies show that the first cause of fever is upper respiratory tract infection or pharyngitis (38%), respectively. showed that there are middle ear infections (23%), pneumonia (15%), gastroenteritis (7%) and sixth disease (Roseola infantum) (5%).
Seizures are present in children presenting with febrile seizures. A good examination and some tests should be performed to investigate the factors that may cause it. Meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes) can be detected as the cause of febrile seizures in 3 to 5% of these children. It is known that meningitis disease can cause seizures at a rate of 13 to 16%, and no examination findings may be detected in 30-35% of patients. In other words, a disease such as meningitis, which can be fatal if undiagnosed, can remain hidden in young children without causing any symptoms. For this reason, lumbar puncture (taking spinal fluid from the waist) should be performed in all children aged 12 months and under who have febrile seizures to distinguish whether they have meningitis or not. EEG recording is not recommended for the first simple febrile seizure. Those with a family history of epileptic seizures, those with unilateral or complicated seizures, those with impaired neurological development, and It may be recommended for those with additional neurological problems. MRI is not recommended for simple febrile seizures. It can be taken with the doctor's decision in those who have focal seizures, if there is a neurological disorder and in very long-lasting febrile seizures (Febrile Status Epilepticus).
Fever (body temperature) measurement in children is convenient from inside the mouth, buttock, armpit, forehead and ear. can be measured with thermometers. Classic thermometers are made of a system based on the principle that the mercury in a small glass tube expands with heat and rises in the tube. It is not practical for home use due to the risk of glass breakage and the evaluation requires experience. Digital thermometers that measure by ear for home use are very practical because they provide instant results, are easy to read visually, and do not require training.
Permanent and progressive brain damage is not expected in simple febrile seizures, and since it is generally a benign condition. Most often no treatment is required. It is important for parents to be informed about febrile seizures. Parents are advised to recognize and control fever at home. Runny nose, sneezing, cough, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. Symptoms may indicate an infection and therefore fever. The increase in temperature can be better noticed by touching the child's forehead and neck with your lips or the back of your hand. As another clue, cold hands and feet, chills and shivering in young children may indicate an increased body temperature. As a recommendation, a thermometer (degree, thermometer) should be kept in every home where there are children. Children who have previously had a febrile seizure should be taken to the nearest health institution as soon as fever is noticed, without waiting.
As general precautions in children with fever; First of all, their clothes should be removed and they should be removed from the environment with high temperatures. Before going to the health institution, antipyretic medication can be given at home in a dose appropriate to the child's age. Placing a cloth or cotton soaked in warm water (not cold water) on the child's neck, nape, and armpits (warm compression) is useful in controlling the fever. If the fever persists despite these, the child can be showered in warm water (not cold water). water to reduce fever
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