What is a clinical manifestation of increased intracranial pressure (icp) in infants?
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Intracranial pressure (ICP) is a measurement of the pressure of brain tissue and the cerebrospinal fluid that cushions and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is used to monitor the health of the brain after an injury. An increase in intracranial pressure can be caused by a brain tumor, bleeding into the fluid around the brain, or swelling within the brain. Show
 An increase in intracranial pressure is a life-threatening medical condition. If left untreated, it could lead to brain damage or spinal cord damage by compressing brain structures and restricting the flow of blood to the brain. SymptomsSymptoms of elevated intracranial pressure vary by age. Infants exhibit symptoms by vomiting or being drowsy. They may show an outward bulging in the fontanelle, the soft spot on the top of the head. ICP in infants may be a sign of child abuse, especially shaken baby syndrome. It can also be the result of a separation of the bony plates that form the skull also known as separated sutures of the skull. Older children and adults may display symptoms such as:
CausesElevated intracranial pressure can occur separately or in combination with other conditions. Some of the most common causes include:
DiagnosisThe diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure is usually made while the patient is in the emergency room or hospital. Early symptoms may be diagnosed during a routine medical examination. To confirm the diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure, a CT scan or MRI of the head may be performed. It may also be measured by conducting a lumbar puncture of the spine, also known as a spinal tap, to measure the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. TreatmentAn increase in intracranial pressure is considered to be a serious and life-threatening medical emergency. Treatment is focused on reducing the pressure. Patients will be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital. Medical management of elevated intracranial pressure includes the following:
Elevated intracranial pressure is a common complication in patients that are critically ill. PreventionWhile ICP cannot be prevented, some of its leading causes like head injury often can. Wearing a protective helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, buckling a seat belt, moving the seat in the car far away from the dashboard, and using a child safety seat can preventing head injuries from becoming life-threatening. Removing clutter from floors and keeping them dry will help to prevent falls at home–a common cause of head injury in the elderly. By
Jose Vega MD, PhD Thanks for your feedback! Increased intracranial pressure is a medical term that refers to growing pressure inside a person’s skull. This pressure can affect the brain if doctors do not treat it. A sudden increase in the pressure inside a person’s skull is a medical emergency. Left untreated, an increase in the intracranial pressure (ICP) may lead to brain injury, seizure, coma, stroke, or death. With prompt treatment, it is possible for people with increased ICP to make a full recovery. In this article, we look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments of increased ICP. The symptoms of increased ICP can vary depending on a person’s age. Infants with increased ICP may have different symptoms to older children or adults with the condition, as discussed below. Symptoms in adults
Symptoms of increased ICP in adults include:
As raised ICP progresses, a person may lose consciousness and go into a coma. High ICP may cause brain damage if a person does not receive emergency treatment. Symptoms in infantsInfants with increased ICP may show some of the same symptoms as adults. In addition, the shape of their heads may be affected. Infants still have soft plates in their skull that fibrous tissue called skull sutures knit together. Increased ICP may cause the skull sutures to separate and the soft plates to move apart. Increased ICP in infants may also cause their fontanel to bulge out. The fontanel is the soft spot on the top of the skull. The following is a list of medical conditions and other causes that can lead to increased ICP:
In infants, high ICP may be the result of child abuse. If a person handles a baby or infant too roughly, it may cause them to develop a brain injury. This is known as shaken baby syndrome. One source has estimated that between 1,000 and 3,000 children in the United States experience shaken baby syndrome each year. The condition may arise if an adult shakes a baby violently to stop them crying. Anyone who suspects a child may be experiencing abuse can contact the National Child Abuse Hotline anonymously at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Share on PinterestA doctor may request a CT scan to diagnose increased ICP.If a person has the symptoms of increased ICP, they should see a doctor straight away. This is a medical emergency and may lead to brain injury if a person does not receive rapid treatment. A doctor will measure the ICP in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg). The normal range is less than 20 mm/Hg. When ICP goes above this, a person may be experiencing increased ICP. To diagnose increased ICP, a doctor may ask if a person has:
Then, the doctor may carry out the following tests:
After these initial tests, the doctor may use an MRI scan to examine a person’s brain tissue in more detail. If a person has a diagnosis of increased ICP, a doctor will immediately work to reduce the pressure inside the skull to lessen the risk of brain damage. They will then work to treat the underlying cause of the increased pressure. Treatment methods for reducing ICP include:
A doctor may give the person a sedative to help reduce anxiety and lower their blood pressure. The person may also need breathing support. The doctor will monitor their vital signs throughout their treatment. In rare cases, the doctor may put a person with high ICP into a medically induced coma to treat their condition. Complications of increased ICP include:
Without proper treatment, increased ICP can be fatal. A sudden increase in ICP is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. The sooner a person receives treatment, the better their outlook. Many people respond well to treatment, and a person who has experienced increased ICP can make a full recovery. Increased ICP is not always preventable, but it is possible to reduce the risk of some underlying conditions that may lead to increased ICP. We explore how below. StrokeShare on PinterestA person can reduce ther risk of stroke by exercising regularly.Stroke may cause increased ICP. A person can reduce their risk of stroke in the following ways:
High blood pressureHigh blood pressure may cause increased ICP. A person can maintain healthy blood pressure by:
Head injuryA head injury may cause increased ICP. Some examples of how a person can reduce their risk of head injury include:
Increased ICP is when the pressure inside a person’s skull increases. When this happens suddenly, it is a medical emergency. The most common cause of high ICP is a blow to the head. The main symptoms are headache, confusion, decreased alertness, and nausea. A person’s pupils may not respond to light in the usual way. A person with increased ICP may need urgent treatment. The immediate aim of treatment is to bring down the pressure on their brain tissue, which helps to reduce the risk of brain damage. Without proper treatment, this condition may lead to seizure, coma, stroke, or brain damage. In severe cases, increased ICP can be fatal. Rapid treatment may improve a person’s outlook. Making a full recovery with timely treatment is possible. Increased ICP is not always preventable, but a person can reduce their risk of some causes through lifestyle changes. What is a clinical manifestation of increased intracranial pressure in infants?Common signs and symptoms of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in the young include headache, vomiting, blurred vision, and diplopia. Headaches are intermittent, diffuse, and worse at night; they may awaken the child and are often aggravated by sudden movement.
Which of the following is an early clinical manifestation of increased ICP in older children?Answer: D.
Diplopia is an early sign of increased ICP in an older child.
Which of the following signs and symptoms of increased ICP in would appear first?The earliest symptom of elevated ICP is a change in mental status. Bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, and bradypnea occur later. The client may void large amounts of very dilute urine if there's damage to the posterior pituitary.
What are the clinical manifestations of intracranial hypertension?Symptoms may include fever, headache, a stiff neck, and vomiting. The patient may also be irritable, confused and go from drowsiness, to stupor to coma. (For more information on this disorder, choose “Meningitis” as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Brain tumors may also cause symptoms similar to IIH.
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