Term
| When does the perinatal period occur? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are two common problems that occur in premature infants? |
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Definition
- Periventricular hemmorhage (PVH)
- Intraventricular hemmorhage (IVH) |
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Term
| What is the germinal matrix? Where is it located? |
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Definition
- Mass of undifferentiated cells that migrate to form white matter (descending and ascending fiber tracts)
- Lies below the lateral ventricles |
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Term
| What is the vascular supply of the germinal matrix? |
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Definition
- Striate branches of middle cerebral artery
- Vulnerable to increased pressure (hemorrhage)
- Poor vascularization-Makes germinal matrix also vulterable to hypotoxic-ischemic events
- Changes in pressure or hemorrhage can result in PVH/IVH
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Term
| What is the grading system for PVH/IVH? What can PVH/IVH lead to? |
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Definition
- Grades I-IV (IV most severe)
- Can lead to motor deficits (cerebral palsy) |
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Term
| What are the three major types of CP? |
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Definition
- Spasticity:
- Quadriplegia
- Diplegia
- Hemiplegia
- Dystonic (inability to overcome movements):
- Athetosis
- Mixed (spastic symptoms and athetoid symptoms)
- Ataxic:
- Due to cerebellar damage
- Not frequently seen as result of prematurity
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Term
| What is the most common type of CP in preterm infants? |
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Definition
| Spastic diplegia/hemiplegia |
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Term
| What areas of the body does spastic CP commonly affect? |
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Definition
- Extension of hemorrhage or ischemic damage in area of internal capsule
- Most severely effects those fibers subserving leg function
- Larger bleed affects leg, trunk and arm |
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Term
| Is white matter or gray matter more vulnerable in preterm infants? |
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Definition
- White matter is more vulnerable than gray matter, so most children with spastic diplegia/hemiplegia have normal cognitive functioning |
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Term
| What areas of the brain are affected in full-term birth asphyxiated infants? |
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Definition
- Site of lesion is more diffuse and widespread
- Includes parasagittal cortical arease (motor and somatosensory areas)
- Leads to bilateral involvement of: UEs, shoulder girdle, face and tongue, LEs |
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Term
| Patterns of motor deficits for pre-term and full-term infants |
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Definition
Pre-term:
- Most severe motor involvement is caudal and distal
- Few have cognitive impairments
Full-term:
- More extensive proximal involvement with higher incidence of cognitive impairments |
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Term
| What is very low birth weight? |
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Definition
- < 750 grams (1 lb = 454 grams)
- 26 wks GA or less |
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