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Altered Level Of Consciousness Essay

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An altered level of consciousness in children has many causes, with a fundamental differentiation being between structural and medical conditions. Infection of the brain encephalitis or meninges is the most common cause of altered level of consciousness, accounting for more than one third of nontraumatic cases. Non Accidental Injury should be considered in any infant presenting with an altered level of consciousness and apnea. [3] List of causes of differential diagnosis of Altered level of consciousness are listed in Table 2

Any child who presents with acute detoriation in level of consciousness, assessment of airway, breathing, and cardiovascular status should be done immediately. All children should be given 100% oxygen by nonrebreather facemask until adequate oxygenation is assured. Blood tests like …show more content…

Accurate physical assessment and interpretation of the vital signs are essential to determine the cause of Altered Level of consciousness. In infants due to open anterior fontanelle and flexibility of skull, it allows to accommodate modest increase in intracranial contents caused by brain swelling, cerebral mass, or hemorrhage. However, once the limits of compensation exceeded intracranial pressure rises precipitously [Figure 2]. Open fontanelles and sutures may not be fully protective and causes abnormal increase in intracranial pressure. The resulting intracranial hypertension causes brain injury by a variety of mechanisms. The respiratory rate, pattern of breathing, also pulse and blood pressure often is abnormal in cases of impending cerebral herniation. Cushing triad (consist of systemic hypertension, bradycardia, abnormal respiration) is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure [9]. Therefore it is important to recognize intracranial hypertension early to avoid devastating complication associated with

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