Question
What causes pediatric brain atrophy?
Answer
Pediatric brain atrophy is a radiological manifestation of many diseases, with its etiology being complex and diverse. It mainly includes factors such as changes in blood components, increased blood viscosity, changes in cerebral vascular elasticity, leading to reduced blood flow, as well as a series of metabolic disorders caused by relative hypoxia in brain cells. In addition, genetic factors may also play a certain role in the pathogenesis. Other possible causes include aging, metabolic disorders, decreased endocrine function, vascular conditions, inflammatory diseases, brain tumors, epilepsy or trauma, brain hypoxia or nutritional deficiencies, chronic viral infections or intoxication, misuse of sedatives or hypnotics, hormones, or other drugs that are harmful to brain tissue. In regional cerebral organic damage, it may also lead to regional brain atrophy due to the proliferation of glial cells in place of compressed, degenerated, or necrotic brain tissue. The sequelae of brain atrophy include intellectual decline, impaired sensory functions, and changes in personality and behavior.