Main description:

This handbook of neurological practice in infants is designed to be of practical use to all clinicians, but particularly those in under–resourced locations. Seventy per cent of children with disabilities live in resource–poor countries and most of these children have neurological impairments. This book presents recommendations for investigations and treatments based on internationally accepted good practice that can be implemented in most settings. The book is divided into two parts: Principles and Clinical settings, with the latter taking a symptom–based approach. The contributors have approached their chapters using an accessible, didactic style and consistent organization of material. The emphasis throughout is on clinical methods, the use of appropriate investigations and treatments, and the avoidance of unnecessary or potentially harmful interventions. For quick reference, all chapters feature boxes highlighting key messages, common errors, and when to worry. The book is designed to be carried round as a handy reference.

Contents:

PART 1: PRINCIPLES OF CHILD NEUROLOGY IN INFANCY

1 Terms, definitions and concepts –  Colin Kennedy

2 Interprofessional working: user and carer involvement  – Audrone Prasauskiene and Maryze Schoneveld van der Linde

3 Clinical epidemiology and evidence–based medicine  – Andrew L. Lux

4 Promoting child development – Boika Rechel and Dainius Puras

5 Neurological and neurodevelopmental assessment – Leena Haataja, Vittorio Belmonti and Giovanni Cioni

6 Prevention of neurological disease in infants – Jane Williams and Colin Kennedy

7 Cranial imaging – Brigitte Vollmer

8 Neurophysiological investigations – Bernhard Schmitt and Varsine Jaladyan

9 Biochemical and haematological testing – Valerie Walker and Mary Morgan

10 Drug treatments: drugs, vitamins and minerals – Imti Choonara and Peter Baxter

11 Nonpharmacological treatment – Ilona Autti–Rämö

PART 2: PRACTICE CLINICAL SETTINGS

12 Neonatal encephalopathy – Gian Paolo Chiaffoni and Daniele Trevisanuto

13 Neonatal seizures, including metabolic epileptic encephalopathies – Barbara Plecko

14 Acute non–febrile encephalopathy – Tiina Talvik, Fenella Kirkham, Tuuli Metsvaht and Inga Talvik

15 Acute neurological illness with fever: meningitis, encephalitis and infective space–occupying lesions – Rachel Kneen and Charles Newton

16 Post–neonatal epileptic seizures – Hans Hartmann and J. Helen Cross

17 Non–epileptic paroxysmal disorders in infancy – John B.P. Stephenson and Alla Nechay

18 Macrocephaly, including hydrocephalus – Colin Kennedy

19 Microcephaly, including congenital infections – Richard Chin and Vlatka Mejaski–Bosnjak

20 The floppy infant – Ulrika Ådén and Thomas Sejersen

21 Early developmental impairment and neurological abnormalities at birth – Richard W. Newton, Ilona Autti–Rämö and Audrone Prasauskiene

22 Cerebral palsy – Florian Heinen and Peter Baxter

23 Central nervous system disorders of movement other than cerebral palsy – Peter Baxter and Florian Heinen

24 Progressive loss of skills – Meral Topcu, Dilek Yalnýzoglu and Richard Newton

Appendix 1: Growth charts