Examination of the child by a neurologist. Pediatric neurologist

30.09.2019

For the first time, a neurologist will examine a newborn baby in the maternity hospital, then several more times throughout the first year during routine examinations by specialists. In neurology, infancy is considered a period of adaptation to the environment. Correct and timely maturation of the central nervous system directly affects the formation and development of speech and physiological skills. The work of a neurologist with a child under one year old comes down to assessing the state of the central nervous system, its development and maturity, and the influence of unfavorable factors on it. We decided to consider a list of the most pressing questions for a neurologist from the baby’s parents.

Why is a routine inspection necessary?

Question: If the birth went well and my baby was born without pathologies, birth injuries and with a good Apgar score, do I need to show the child to a neurologist?

According to existing rules, an absolutely healthy baby needs four scheduled examinations by a neurologist in the first year of life: at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Babies, even those with a good Apgar score at birth, may develop central nervous system (CNS) disorders during growth and development. It is important to identify them as early as possible in order to effectively help the baby.

A restful sleep is the key to harmonious development

Question: You can’t limit yourself to just one question here. The most common: Why can't a child fall asleep for a long time? Why does a child always cry before falling asleep? Why is a child extremely agitated before bed and cannot be put to sleep for a long time? The child suddenly began to cry and scream at night. How to improve your baby's sleep without medications?

Sleep for a child under one year old is not just rest, it includes a huge number of functions:

Relaxation of the body and restoration of spent energy;
Maintaining excellent immune system levels;
Production of growth hormone;
Processing and systematization by the brain of data collected during wakefulness;
Stimulation of the brain area responsible for the development of thinking and memory.

In order to establish a sleep schedule without medications, to avoid crying and screaming in sleep, whims and an overexcited state of the baby before bedtime, you should follow a few simple rules:

Strictly and scrupulously follow your sleep-wake schedule, not allowing current affairs and events of the day to disturb it. Spend more time with your child outdoors;
Establish a specific bedtime ritual, both during the day and at night. Always stick to it. This may include (check with a neurologist first), reading a book, quiet games, telling stories, lullabies;
Don't be late with feeding and sleeping;
Place a mint or lavender pillow at your child's head. It is also useful to give your baby tea made from these herbs - but only after he is six months old;
Study the signs of your baby's fatigue. If they are present, it is better to put the baby to bed a little earlier, otherwise he may become overexcited and fall asleep later than expected. Signs of overwork include rubbing your forehead or eyes, the appearance of small circles under them, cloudy eyes, a sleepy look, and tugging at your ears. Each child has them individually;
Explain and show your child the differences between day and night. Explain when you put your baby to bed that other people and animals also go to rest, they need to gain strength before a new day, why the sun doesn’t shine at night, etc. At late times, do not play with the child, reduce the level of noise and light in the rooms so that the child realizes that bedtime is approaching.

A pediatric neurologist is a very important specialist who monitors the central and peripheral nervous system of a child, from birth to 18 years of age. What does a pediatric neurologist treat and what does a pediatric neurologist do? The primary task of this specialist is periodic observations of the stages of formation and development of the nervous system of a small patient, during which many progressive pathologies can be prevented. If it is impossible to prevent them and prevention does not help, an experienced pediatric neurologist determines the diagnosis and prescribes appropriate comprehensive treatment, which in most cases successfully cures the disease.

Today, there are many different diseases of the nervous system that differ from each other, which are classified according to a certain order. Let's list the main lesions of the nervous system and answer the question - what does a pediatric neurologist treat.

Pathology associated with infection caused by exposure to harmful viruses and bacteria. A newborn child is most susceptible to such infectious diseases due to insufficiently developed immunity. That is why doctors do not recommend that parents visit crowded establishments with a small child.
Epilepsy. It can be formed either as a result of injury or congenitally. Consultation and treatment with a neurologist are simply mandatory here.
Diseases associated with severe bruises of the head area, traumatic injuries.
Toxic pathology. Some drugs and medicines, namely their incorrect prescription and use, can provoke such damage to the nervous system.
Genetic pathology. Passed on from parents or relatives due to appropriate heredity.
Hypoxia, which in turn was observed in utero in the fetus.

From this video you will learn what the consequences of not visiting a neurologist may be:

What is mmd in neurology in children

MMD is a minimal brain dysfunction caused by acute failure of the central nervous system, disturbances in the child’s mental state, as well as a number of other dangerous symptoms.

How does mmd manifest itself in neurology in children?

Overly active behavior, namely constant movements of both arms and legs, lack of perseverance.
Quick distraction to the presence of any irritants.
Inability to play alone.
He talks incessantly, interrupts adults, and does not hear others when they ask him questions.
Moves from one task to another without completing the first.
Losing things in kindergarten, school, absent-mindedness.

What is neurology in children?

Neurology in children is a complex, multifaceted medical discipline that deals with diseases of the nervous system of a small patient. If a qualified doctor still detects neurology in a child, this can be explained by the following most common reasons:

Receiving a birth mechanical injury;
fetal hypoxia, as well as insufficient oxygen supply due to possible repeated entanglement in utero;
complex process of childbirth and labor;
acute toxicosis of pregnant women throughout the entire period;
genetic inheritance.

What is neurology in eight-year-old children?

The child’s psyche is like plasticine; it is very susceptible to stress and any circumstances; parents, in turn, are advised to ensure that it is not damaged. In what cases does neurology occur in school-age children, namely 8 years old?

Excessively heavy loads on the child’s body.
A feeling of constant fear caused by the behavior of parents, as well as their pressure.
Adaptation period at school.

Such neurosis is accompanied by anxiety, sometimes stuttering, tics, and fainting. At the slightest manifestation of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Regular visits to the clinic are mandatory for mother and newborn. The development of a child in the first months of life progresses at such a pace that it is impossible to do without constant monitoring. An examination by a pediatrician helps to identify diseases, if any, at an early stage. The presence of hereditary diseases and the risk of pathologies is checked. If the child is healthy, the doctor determines the baby’s level of development, carries out parametric measurements, and prescribes tests.

If the child is completely healthy, the doctor simply takes anthropometric measurements and records them, prescribes tests

Further scheduled examination (dispensary examination) is aimed at monitoring the dynamics of the child’s development, carrying out the necessary vaccinations and health programs. The pediatrician visits infants up to 1 month at home (at least 3 times). Such examinations are called patronage. It is advisable that the child be examined by an orthopedist, ENT specialist, neurologist, surgeon, or ophthalmologist before the baby is one month old. When the baby turns 1 month old, it’s time for the mother to go with him for his first medical examination at the clinic.

What items should I take to the clinic for examination?

When going to see a pediatrician with a newborn, you need to take certain things and documents with you. A sample list consists of:

two diapers (one for the changing table, the other placed on the scales);
a pacifier (if the baby takes it) and a rattle to keep the baby occupied while waiting for the appointment;
wet baby wipes and extra diaper;
if your doctor's visit takes place in the summer, take a bottle of drink;
a certificate of vaccinations and a certificate of ultrasound and audio screening results;
a notebook or notebook with questions that you had to ask the doctor during this period (start your mother’s diary immediately after the maternity hospital).

If you were not able to have your baby examined by different specialists before your first visit to the clinic, be sure to do this on your first visit. It is very important to detect the development of diseases in time or confirm the complete health of the baby.

We will tell you which specialists you need to see, what tests you need to take, and what they check for the newborn. Our review will help you stop worrying and understand how important these examinations are for your monthly baby.

It is advisable for the mother to prepare questions for the doctor - they should be written down throughout the entire period between visits

Pediatrician

A pediatrician is a doctor whom a mother and her treasure should see once a month until the child is 1 year old. The clinic specifically sets aside one day a week when doctors examine only infants. “Baby day” allows babies to avoid contact with other children, which prevents the risk of disease. By calling the reception, you can find out what day this day falls on, how your local pediatrician receives you, and how to make an appointment with him.

The main activities at each doctor’s appointment are aimed at measuring the baby’s anthropometric indicators. Weight, height, chest and head circumference are measured. The results obtained help the child therapist find out how correctly and successfully your little treasure is developing. The pediatrician must assess the functional state of the organs; he can coordinate the daily routine and give advice on feeding the baby.

If the examination shows no problems and the baby is healthy, a referral is issued for the vaccinations scheduled for each age. The next one after the first, which is done in the maternity hospital, is carried out against viral hepatitis. Negative reactions to this vaccine are extremely rare; children usually tolerate it well.

Prepare for the fact that on the second visit you will need to take a blood and urine test for your baby. Analyzes show the functioning of internal organs and help identify inflammatory processes.

In addition, the doctor will tell you about preventive measures against rickets. Traditionally, newborns are prescribed vitamin D (1 drop - 500 IU) or water-soluble vitamin D taken once a day. Perhaps the dose will be calculated by the doctor based on the physical condition of the baby, or he may not need to take additional supplements at all. For bottle-fed babies, the doctor writes a prescription to receive food at the dairy kitchen.

Additional Research

Special studies are also carried out as prescribed by the pediatrician. When the doctor is alarmed by the results of the initial observation of an infant, he can send the baby for an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. Additional diagnostics are necessary to check the functioning of the kidneys, liver, spleen, gallbladder, and pancreas. Allows timely identification of pathological processes in these organs.

Having detected a murmur in a child’s heart, the pediatrician usually prescribes a cardiogram (ECG) for the baby. Echocardiography is performed if there is a suspicion of heart or vascular disease. If any diagnosis is confirmed, the child is registered with a cardiologist. You can find out your appointment time at the reception desk; the doctor himself will tell you the frequency of visits. Complex cases are within the competence of the medical commission.

Neurologist

A neurologist checks the functioning of the child’s nervous system. The specialist examines muscle tone, checks the baby’s innate reflexes, sets parameters for neuropsychic development and checks motor skills. The mother must understand that examinations by a neurologist are very important for the child. Some lesions of the central nervous system that occurred during gestation can be detected precisely at 1 month of life.

A neurologist checks the child’s reflexes; the purpose of the examination is to identify central nervous system diseases in the early stages

Special procedures are carried out that can identify the syndrome of central nervous system depression, the syndrome of increased neuro-reflex excitability. Having discovered a pathology, the neurologist prescribes treatment, which is especially important to begin in the first month. The baby’s nervous system continues to develop, so timely correction and elimination of identified disorders will involve a reversibility mechanism. This means that the baby receives the necessary help and continues to develop normally.

Among the examination methods there is also neurosonography (ultrasound of the brain). The first examination should be carried out in the maternity hospital. If it is not done, the neurologist will definitely prescribe it. The procedure is aimed at detecting developmental defects, signs of hydrocephalus, hypertension syndrome, vascular cysts, ventricular dilatations, and intracranial hemorrhages.

Orthopedist

A child needs an orthopedist to examine the musculoskeletal system. The first appointment allows the doctor to determine the presence or absence of hip dysplasia in the baby. By spreading the child’s legs at the hip joint and examining the gluteal folds for symmetry, the specialist is clearly convinced of whether there is a problem or not. The disease, diagnosed at an early age, is well treated by correction. If the disorder starts, the child will need the help of a surgeon, who will have to correct more complex changes. An orthopedist can identify congenital clubfoot, muscular torticollis, and dislocation. An ultrasound of the hip joints is required, which confirms or reveals their dysplasia (we recommend reading:).

Surgeon

The surgeon's studies can detect inguinal or hemangioma (a tumor on the skin of a vascular nature), cryptorchidism (when the testicles have not descended into the scrotum), phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin) (we recommend reading:). The listed diseases are typical for boys. Early diagnosis of pathologies ensures correct and successful treatment of identified ailments.

If disorders are diagnosed so early, the doctor carries out the necessary treatment to prevent the formation of more complex changes. A hernia causes compression of the mass contained in it by the hernial orifice. Untreated phimosis leads to an inflammatory process in the glans penis (balanitis or balanoposthitis). You may be scheduled to visit only a surgeon, since in some clinics the doctor combines two specialties, orthopedist and surgeon.

Oculist

The area of research of the ophthalmologist is the vision of the infant. Naturally, no table is offered to the child at one month of age. The doctor examines the fundus of the eye to exclude retinal pathology, checks the focus of the gaze and the correct patency of the nasolacrimal ducts. Having established that there are violations, the ophthalmologist draws up a conservative treatment plan that helps save the baby from dangerous complications in the visual organ.

Early vision testing is necessary to identify possible congenital or acquired disorders

ENT

The task of the ENT specialist is to use audiological screening to check the child’s hearing for any disorders. Having detected deviations, the specialist issues a referral to the audiology center. The center's doctors conduct more in-depth studies on the subject of hearing loss. Hearing is very important for a child because it affects his mental and speech development. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent more serious problems.

The baby is 2 months old, which doctors should I visit?

Basic examinations have already been completed, so at 2 months you should only visit your pediatrician. The doctor will continue to monitor the overall development of the baby, familiarize you with the ultrasound findings for dysplasia and disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, and with the results of the tests performed. They may be asked to take tests again. What events await you in 2 months:

Parametric measurements of height, weight, chest and head circumference. Calculation of weight gain. If problems were discovered during the first visit, the doctor will prescribe a repeat examination for them.
Testing a child's hand control. Hearing and vision testing. If the child is healthy, the doctor may limit himself to an external examination.
Additionally, they will remind the mother who is breastfeeding about the importance of the baby taking vitamin D or fluoride if it is found to be deficient. For a bottle-fed baby, the pediatrician may prescribe iron supplements.

Girls, I’m so tired of these doctors with their non-existent diagnoses... I have no strength. I have a healthy child without the slightest deviation, but even he is given all kinds of nonsense, based on nothing. It’s good that you have enough sense not to panic and not fall for this nonsense. Today we saw a neurologist and were given a PEP. For some reason I thought that there are no children without a diagnosis - this is how doctors see our children. They sent us to the NSG... Now until we do it, the pediatrician will not lag behind. I am inserting an article for everyone who believes in neurologists from the first word:

Very often after birth or during , the baby is given many incomprehensible and frightening neurological diagnoses. In addition, parents are frightened by the dire consequences of these diagnoses and are prescribed a large number of quite serious medications and various other treatment methods, which are often not so cheap. We will try to understand the mysterious abbreviations of diagnoses and clarify the situation a little in this material.

About diagnoses...

Child neurology is one of the most complex branches of pediatrics; there is still a lot of overdiagnosis (setting up many redundant diagnoses) and unstudied processes. Research methods are constantly being improved, so every year there is a constant revision of approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Many diagnoses that were made 20 years ago are now not deviations or do not exist at all. These include the mysterious abbreviation PEP.

PEP or perinatal encephalopathy is a diagnosis that does not exist in the entire scientific world, and has long been outdated in Russia. This is not even a diagnosis, but a collective concept characterized by disturbances in the structure and/or function of the brain and nervous system that occur during the period from the 28th week of pregnancy to 7 days from the moment of birth, that is, there is no specific information at all. Moreover, in a literal translation from Latin, the term is deciphered even more simply - “encephalon” - brain, head, “pathos, pathia” - pathology, disorder, or, more simply, “something with the head.” From this we can easily conclude that it is not possible to make this diagnosis for a specific child - because even if a child has diseases of the nervous system and brain in particular, they all have their own clearly classified name according to ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases).

Diseases of the nervous system include hemorrhages, defects, tumors, inflammatory processes, infections and injuries. AEDs are not included in this classification. Many neurologists replace the term AED with GTP of the central nervous system or “hypoxic-traumatic lesion of the central nervous system,” which is the same thing, simply expressed in different terms and does not change the situation.

Where do these diagnoses come from?

The course of pediatric neurology is very complex, pediatricians and neonatologists do not always have full knowledge in the field of child neurology, sometimes mistaking symptoms that are normal for a child for pathology, and there are few or no full-time pediatric neurologists in maternity hospitals. A neurological examination of a baby is a complex matter; its accuracy is influenced by many factors, both external and from the baby.

So, false results can be obtained if the baby is hungry, if he is sleeping and had to be woken up for examination, if he is warmly wrapped up and overheated. If the room is cold or too hot, and even if the doctor is too active in his manipulations. There is no need to talk about the correctness of the examination even in conditions when this is not the first specialist that day, and the baby is already in a state of stress along with his mother, from walking around offices and standing in lines.

What is not a disease?

Babies in their first year of life have an immature nervous system, and the baby’s brain is formed in the process of growth and development. Therefore, many symptoms of the nervous system that are pathological for adults and older children are normal for young children.

Unexpressed and minor dilations of the ventricles of the brain and the interhemispheric fissure according to the results of neurosonography (ultrasound of the brain) are not pathological. The state of hyperactivity cannot be diagnosed; this is a diagnosis for older children. Persistent regurgitation after feeding is not a sign of damage to the nervous system; it requires observation and examination, but it cannot be unambiguously attributed to neurological problems. A marbled skin color is considered normal - this is when against the background of white skin you can see the presence of red and blue stains and blood vessels, reminiscent of the color of marble slabs. There is no need to worry about standing on tiptoes or walking on toes, especially at the very beginning of developing walking skills.

Often, children under 3-4 months experience tremor (shaking) of the chin when crying or sudden excitement, which is also not a reason for treatment; in addition, this also includes trembling of the hands during crying or fright. There is no need to worry if the child has eyes that roll upward so that a strip of white is visible, or a slight strabismus for up to six months.

The baby's feet and hands may be wet and cool, even if he is well dressed, these are features of the baby's blood circulation. In addition, a fontanel that pulsates or bulges when screaming, a large or small size of the fontanel, and the dynamics of its closure are different for everyone - this only requires observation and control. Meteorological sensitivity is also considered normal for children.

All described conditions require dynamic monitoring by a local police officer. together with a neurologist and nothing more.

What to look for

All babies are individuals from birth, and their development follows their own specific programs, influenced by health, heredity, and even gender. When assessing psychomotor skills and general development, one should pay attention only to the deadlines for the formation of certain skills. Here is an express questionnaire that can serve as a guide when assessing certain symptoms. And what should you pay attention to when in doubt? Serious deviations are periods exceeding one and a half to two months.

When did your baby start holding his head up? – period 1-1.5 months.
- when did the baby start to roll over? – beginning at 3-4 months, active revolutions by six months.
- did the baby play with his legs - grabbing, putting in his mouth? – for some, starting from 3-4 months, and the general age is 6-7 months.
- when did you start sitting down? They usually sit down from a supine position earlier, and later from a position on all fours; both options are normal - the average time is 6-8 months.
- when did you start crawling, how did you do it? First, the babies sway, standing on all fours, crawl back, then in front. The norm is considered to be crawling on one's bellies, on all fours and even sideways - the average period is approximately 7-8 months.
- when did you start standing up without support? – usually 9-11 months.
Walking without support usually begins at 9-18 months.
Focusing on average terms, you can immediately notice deviations that require consultation with a specialist.

Consequences…

There are many negative consequences from such diagnoses; overdiagnosis is not in vain for the family. Of course, making such diagnoses related to the nervous system to parents who are far from medicine causes a state of anxiety, if not fear. Parents begin to consider the child inferior, deeply sick, this leads to intra-family instability, parents begin to look for reasons, blaming themselves and their partner. Parents' concepts of the norm change, and when an independent study or consultation with another specialist does not reveal pathology, parents begin to have doubts. Overdiagnosis leads to unreasonable expenses for treatment, doctors and rehabilitation, which are not required.

There may be even more negative consequences for the child. The first thing that has a negative impact is that overdiagnosis leads to more frequent visits to doctors, which undoubtedly increases the risk of contact with sick children and contracting infections, causing stress and fear of the “white coat”.
Second, all these diagnoses lead to the prescription of unnecessary treatment, which sometimes has not been fully controlled in this age group and has side effects, leading to disastrous results.
Third, often actually existing disorders in the nervous system tend to be attributed to PEDs, although the problems are sometimes of a completely different nature, and therefore they are not corrected or treated correctly, which sometimes deepens the disorders even more.

How to monitor your baby?

Almost all pathologies of the nervous system are identified during active monitoring of the baby, and sometimes it takes more than one month to make a final decision about the problem. Therefore, all examinations by a neurologist are carried out within strictly prescribed periods - when the baby reaches key stages in neurological terms - usually the first, third, sixth months and year. However, in case of doubt or the appearance of alarming symptoms, a visit to a neurologist is possible from the very first day of life. If you have doubts about the diagnosis and treatment, you should consult several specialists, fortunately, modern conditions allow this.

Are we treating? Or do we not treat?

In fact, only very real, serious and clearly defined diagnoses require serious drug therapy. These are always drugs aimed at a specific problem - decreased muscle tone for spastic paralysis, anticonvulsants for seizures. But for PEP, broad-spectrum drugs are usually prescribed and are not always tested and have proven effectiveness in children. Many of these drugs are generally prohibited from being prescribed in a clinic setting. They are prescribed only under the constant supervision of a neurologist in a hospital setting and only according to strict indications, as they have a large list of side effects.

So, which drugs should be questioned from their prescriptions? This is a group of vascular drugs - cinnarizine, sermion, cavinton. Then a group of hydrolysates of neuropeptides or amino acids - actovegin, solcoseryl, cortexin, cerebrolysin. Nootropic drugs are unacceptable - piracetam, aminalon, phenibut, picamilon, pantogam. It is also worth questioning the prescription of homeopathy and herbal preparations - valerian, motherwort, lingonberry leaf, bear's ears, etc.

All statements about improving the nutrition of brain tissue are myths; all these drugs are prescribed to most children, but they have not undergone proper research and it is impossible to judge their effectiveness and safety. The use of such drugs will be useless at best. And in some diseases it can cause harm - allergies may occur, including anaphylactic shock, cardiac dysfunction, kidney function, or the nervous system itself, which is being treated.

If the diagnosis or prescribed treatment seems unfounded to you, if you are in doubt, you should always consult with another specialist and in another clinic.

Let's look at the most common neurological diseases of newborns and their symptoms. In fact, it is important for every mother to know the symptoms, since almost all neurological problems can be corrected and treated if they are identified in time - at an early stage!

Almost every baby has some kind of neurological problem: one child has problems with tone or sleep, another has increased intracranial pressure, the third is overly inhibited or excitable, the fourth is vegetative - due to a violation of the regulation of vascular tone, a mesh appears on his skin subcutaneous capillaries, and the palms and feet are constantly wet and cold...

Perinatal encephalopathy (PEP), which is also coded as “CNS disorder syndrome”

Its signs found in 8–9 out of 10 newborns. They occur due to adverse effects on the nervous system during pregnancy, childbirth and in the first week after the baby is born.

If you notice in time emerging problems and eliminate them with the help of medications, herbal medicines, massage and physiotherapy, then PEP can go away by 4–6 months, maximum by a year. In mild cases, there are no consequences, but more serious or unnoticed neurological problems after a year often result in the so-called minimal brain dysfunction (MCD).

This diagnosis indicates some weakness and vulnerability of the baby’s nervous system, but there is no need to be upset about this. After all, the main danger - the threat of developing cerebral palsy (CP) - bypassed the baby! (Read more about what to do if you are diagnosed with cerebral palsy on page 62.)

In the first month and then three more times during the year, show your baby to a neurologist. If there is no such specialist in the children's clinic, ask your pediatrician for a referral to the regional advisory and diagnostic center.

Intracranial pressure

Under the membranes of the baby's brain and spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulates. It nourishes nerve cells, carries away metabolic waste products, and absorbs shocks and shocks. If for some reason more cerebrospinal fluid is produced than flows out, or external pressure is applied to the baby’s head, as during childbirth, intracranial pressure (ICP) increases to a critical level. And since there are many pain receptors in the meninges, the child would suffer from unbearable headaches if not for the system of sutures and fontanelles, which allows the bones of the skull to diverge, equalizing the pressure.

Thanks to this, the baby does not feel severe pain due to intracranial hypertension, but he does feel some discomfort and reports this to his mother. You just need to be able to hear his signals!

Does your baby often cry and spit up often, especially when the weather changes? It looks like his ICP is really elevated!

Mummy should be wary a bright pattern of saphenous veins, visible on the baby’s temples and bridge of the nose, and sometimes throughout the entire cranial vault. An additional cause for alarm is a white strip of sclera that periodically appears above the baby’s iris, as if he has opened his eyes wide in surprise.

Be wary if the head circumference of a one-month-old baby exceeds the chest circumference by more than 2 cm. Check the seam between the parietal bones in the middle of the head (its width should not exceed 0.5 cm), as well as the distance between the opposite edges of the fontanelles - large (normally - up to 3 x 3 cm) and small (1 x 1 cm).
Keep the situation under control together with a neurologist. Thanks to the compensatory capabilities of sutures and fontanelles, it often happens that on neurosonography or ultrasound of the brain, the doctor discovers intracranial hypertension in a newborn, but there are no clinical signs of trouble: the baby is happy, calm, develops well, sleeps soundly at night... In this case, no treatment is required - only observation by a specialist.
If increased ICP begins to cause concern to the child, the doctor will prescribe diuretics that remove excess fluid from under the membranes of the baby’s brain.
An excellent remedy for mild hypertension is pharmacy children's tea with horsetail, which has a diuretic effect.

Hypertonicity and hypotonicity of muscles in a newborn

Our biceps and triceps never relax completely - even in a state of sleep, residual tension remains in them, which is called muscle tone. In a newborn it is very high: what is normal for a child in the first weeks of life is a gross pathology for a six-month-old baby.

To fit in mom’s tummy, the baby had to shrink into a ball due to increased tension in the flexor muscles. It is important that it is not excessive. Muscular hypertension sometimes affects only one half of a child’s body. Then the baby lying on his back bends in an arc, turns his head only in one direction, and on his tummy falls on the side where the tone is higher.

Muscular hypertension syndrome - one of the common manifestations of PEP. The tone must be normalized as soon as possible: otherwise the child will lag behind in motor development and will encounter difficulties when walking.

This can be avoided while doing massage and gymnastics with the baby.

Smooth rocking movements relax tight muscles. The effect can be achieved by rocking the baby while bathing, as well as on the arms, in a stroller, or a rocking chair. These movements are great for relaxing tight muscles!

Exercise in the fetal position will be beneficial. Lay the baby on his back, cross his arms on his chest, pull his knees to his tummy and hold him with your left hand, and tilt the baby's head with your right, then smoothly and rhythmically rock him towards you and away from you and from side to side (5-10 times).

Muscular hypotonia - the complete opposite of hypertonicity: the arms and legs of a newborn are not pressed to the body, as expected, but are half extended, and the resistance to passive extension is insufficient. But in order for a child to actively develop physically and master motor skills, his tone must be normal.

Monitor changes in muscle tone with a neurologist! If you do not fight muscle hypotonia, the baby will be late in learning to roll over, crawl, sit and walk, his feet will remain flat, his legs and spine will become bent, and dislocations will occur in loose joints. You and your doctor should do everything to prevent this from happening.