Neurological Diseases in Pediatric Critical Care

Many pediatric neurological disorders may require intensive care management. In this chapter, nontraumatic neurologic disorders that routinely challenge the pediatric intensivist, such as altered mental status (including coma), status epilepticus, disorders of muscular tone and strength, and inflammatory and infectious etiologies of the central nervous system, will be considered. The causes, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and outcomes will be briefly presented for each condition.