Workshop: neonatal neurology

Neonates admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are at risk for developing neurological damage. This can result in cerebral palsy in a varying degree. Different pathophysiological mechanisms play a role in the development of neurological damage. Preterm infants are at risk for intraventricular haemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia. In general these conditions cause mainly motor deficits at a later age, but cognition can be impaired too.

Term newborns can be admitted due to several neurological conditions. The main neurological disease for which they are admitted is perinatal asphyxia. This is often accompanied by neonatal seizures. Seizures can be caused by several aetiologies. Other diseases for which term newborns sometimes are admitted are: cerebral infarction, meningitis, and trauma.

This workshop will cover several neurological problems in preterm and term newborns and its differential diagnosis. Furthermore the students will learn about techniques that are useful in diagnosis and assessing prognosis. These are: observation of general movements, cerebral function monitoring, etc..