The contents of this unit have been selected from the whole distance learning course, focussing on the learning needs of clinicians and allied health professionals working in paediatric emergency medicine departments.
The content focusses entirely on learning how to recognise children who are presenting with acute neurological disorders, and what to do next. Rapid diagnosis and appropriate management of these conditions minimises morbidity and mortality.
COURSE CONTENT
Unit 13 Acute Neurology
By the end of this section, you will be able to recognize the scope of neuroimaging in paediatric neurology. Throughout the units of this distance learning course you will encounter many examples of neuroimaging demonstrating different diseases of the nervous system. This section will provide you with the skills to begin interpreting these images.
In this section we will be looking at: Aetiological factors in childhood Arterial Ischaemic Stroke (AIS), How to make the prompt diagnosis of AIS, How to investigate and manage the child with AIS.
By the end of this section you will have an understanding of the clinical presentation and aetiology of non-traumatic intracranial haemorrhage in childhood.
In this section you will learn about the physiology and clinical assessment of the child with a depressed level of consciousness.
In this section you will learn about the mechanisms and treatment of traumatic brain injury and its secondary consequences.
In this section you will learn about the mechanisms and treatment of paediatric autoimmune encephalitis, based on the lecture by Dr Sukvhir Wright, which we provide you with.
In this section you will gain an overview of the current understanding of CNS demyelinating disorders in childhood.
In this section we will look at some of the secondary causes of headaches in children. This list is not exhaustive but covers common themes.
To combine information obtained from history taking and neurological examination in the diagnosis and follow-up of children with brain tumours.
In this section you will look at a case scenario to study the presentation of a young child with dystonia due to perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic injury resulting in dystonic cerebral palsy. You will look at the management of dystonia, and at the management of status dystonicus. During this section try to relate this information to patients you have personally managed.
In this section you will consider the recognition and management of convulsive and non-convulsive status epilepticus (SE). You will learn about the ILAE’s newly revised definitions and classification of SE. You will develop a protocol for the investigation and management of the acutely unwell child in SE, and appreciate the time-critical nature of managing this condition; consider the approach to managing non-convulsive SE; consider the differential diagnoses for both convulsive and non-convulsive SE; learn about the specific epilepsy syndromes at high risk of developing into SE.
To synthesise information obtained from history taking, neurological examination and radiological investigation in the diagnosis of children with spinal tumours. To consider the application of the different treatments used for spinal neoplasms.
To be able to recognise, investigate, diagnose and manage acute spinal injury and its chronic sequelae.
Neuromuscular disease: How can I recognise treatable conditions? lecture
COURSE DELIVERY
The course is accessed via a dedicated website. On acceptance of your application, we will provide you with a username and password to access the website.
Each Unit is split into smaller Sections (see Course Content for details). For each section, you will download a zip file containing an Activity document and reference papers.
The Activity document leads you through each section, providing work-based activities for you to complete. You may choose to work through the Activity document on your computer or print off the materials so that you can work on a hard copy.
Each activity is designed to lead you through the topic. Sometimes an activity will ask you to read a paper and then answer questions. Other times it will ask you to consider a case. A Commentary follows each activity, to check your learning. For most units there are also a number of lectures to watch.
You will have access to the unit for 3-years from the date of enrolment. We would hope that you will work through it at a rate that is right for you, maintaining a balance between momentum and enjoyment..
CERTIFICATION
As you complete the Activity document for each section, send it by email to the BPNA. Once it has been reviewed, we will provide a certificate of Continuing Professional Development. You can download this from your BPNA personal account.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Acute Paediatric Neurology is aimed at:
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine Trainees (particularly ST3-5)
- General Paediatricians doing emergency medicine rotation
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine Staff Grades
- Advanced Care Practitioners in paediatric emergency medicine
- Adult Emergency Medicine Trainees doing their paediatric block
ENROL
