MedWorm: Cerebral Palsy

Survival at 19 years of age in a total population of children and young people with cerebral palsy

Child: Care, Health and Development — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:54:42 +0100

(Source: Child: Care, Health and Development)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Fetal and Maternal Candidate Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Associations With Cerebral Palsy: A Case-Control Study

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study of children with cerebral palsy and their mothers did not confirm previously reported candidate gene associations. Prothrombin gene mutation was associated with hemiplegia in children born at term to mothers with a reported infection during pregnancy. (Read the full article) (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Developmental outcome of very low birth weight infants in a developing country

BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Although the neurodevelopmental outcome of this group of VLBW infants was within the normal range, with a low incidence of cerebral palsy, these results may reflect the low survival of babies with a birth weight below 900 grams. In addition, mean subscale scores were low and one third of the babies were identified as "at risk", indicating that this group of babies warrants long-term follow up into school going age. (Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles)

50 Years Ago in CORR: The Role of the Orthopaedic Surgeon in the Management of Cerebral Palsy S. Ralph Terhune MD, Paul W. Shannon MD, Fred H. Devane MD, J. Carter Denton MD CORR 1958;11:132-173.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Brand RA, Dabney KW PMID: 22290133 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research)

Cerebral Palsy Linked With Genetic Abnormalities

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Geisinger Health System have found that genetic abnormalities may be the cause for the majority of cerebral palsy (CP) cases, a group of disorders that can involve the brain and nervous system functions, such as seeing, movement, hearing, thinking, and learning, rather than a difficult birth or other perinatal factors. CP is the most prevalent physical disability of childhood. The study is published in The Lancet Neurology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Polymicrogyria: correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical findings

Child's Nervous System — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:55:31 +0100

Conclusions Late presenting epilepsy may be a predictor of a unilateral polymicrogyria and is associated with relatively good prognosis. CMV infection and the presence of asphyxia are predictors of worse prognosis. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00381-012-1703-2Authors Ertugrul Mavili, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039 Melikgazi, Kayseri, TurkeyAbdulhakim Coskun, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039 Melikgazi, Kayseri, TurkeyHuseyin Per, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, TurkeyHalil Donmez, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039 Melikgazi, Kayseri,...

Prophylactic phototherapy for preventing jaundice in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:18:08 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic phototherapy helps to maintain a lower serum bilirubin concentration and may have an effect on the rate of exchange transfusion and the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. However, further well-designed studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of prophylactic phototherapy on long-term outcomes including neurodevelopmental outcomes. PMID: 22258977 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Differences Discovered In Foot And Ankle Structure Between Sprinters And Non-Sprinters

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

The skeletal structure of the foot and ankle differs significantly between human sprinters and non-sprinters, according to Penn State researchers. Their findings not only help explain why some people are faster runners than others, but also may be useful in helping people who have difficulty walking, such as older adults and children with cerebral palsy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Reduced Ipsilesional Cortical Volumes in Fetal Periventricular Venous Infarction.

Stroke — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilesional GM volume is diminished in PVI. Speculative mechanisms include retrograde neuronal degeneration and disrupted migration. Neuropsychological testing of larger samples is required to determine clinical significance. PMID: 22282891 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Stroke)

From Spinal Central Pattern Generators to Cortical Network: Integrated BCI for Walking Rehabilitation.

Neural Plasticity — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:12:03 +0100

Authors: Cheron G, Duvinage M, De Saedeleer C, Castermans T, Bengoetxea A, Petieau M, Seetharaman K, Hoellinger T, Dan B, Dutoit T, Sylos Labini F, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y Abstract Success in locomotor rehabilitation programs can be improved with the use of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Although a wealth of research has demonstrated that locomotion is largely controlled by spinal mechanisms, the brain is of utmost importance in monitoring locomotor patterns and therefore contains information regarding central pattern generation functioning. In addition, there is also a tight coordination between the upper and lower limbs, which can also be useful in controlling locomotion. The current paper critically investigates different approaches that are applicable to this field: the use...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Does necrotizing enterocolitis affect growth and neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants?

Pediatric Surgery International — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:17 +0100

Conclusion Necrotizing enterocolitis has affected neurodevelopmental outcome but not growth in VLBW infants at 18–24 months of corrected age. Both those treated medically or requiring surgery need close neurodevelopmental follow-up for the first years of life. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s00383-012-3051-4Authors Dilek Dilli, Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyZeynep Eras, Department of Developmental Pediatrics, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyHülya Özkan Ulu, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyUğur Dilmen, Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity and Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Tur...

Foot and ankle structure differs between sprinters and non-sprinters

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Penn State) The skeletal structure of the foot and ankle differs significantly between human sprinters and non-sprinters, according to Penn State researchers. Their findings not only help explain why some people are faster runners than others, but also may be useful in helping people who have difficulty walking, such as older adults and children with cerebral palsy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

The association between proinflammatory cytokine polymorphisms and cerebral palsy in very preterm infants.

Cytokine — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kapitanović Vidak H, Catela Ivković T, Jokić M, Spaventi R, Kapitanović S Abstract Cerebral palsy (CP) is a nonprogressive motor disorder caused by white matter damage in the developing brain and is often accompanied with cognitive and sensory disabilities. The risk of CP is higher among infants born preterm than in more mature infants. Intrauterine infection/inflammation, activation of the cytokine network and elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in neonatal blood or in amniotic fluid to which the preterm infant is exposed, has been identified as the most common cause of preterm delivery, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and CP. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible association of four TNFα promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (-1031 ...

Why won¿t they help our daughter to walk? Girl, 3, with cerebral palsy refused treatment available at local hospital

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:46:49 +0100

Evie Tucker from Avonmouth, Bristol, is unable to walk unaided as she was diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition which causes problems with movement and coordination. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Caffeine Therapy Does Not Help Preterm Babies Long Term

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

According to an investigation published in the January 18 issue of JAMA, caffeine therapy, which has been demonstrated to lower the rate of cognitive delay and cerebral palsy at 18 months, did not considerably improve the rate of survival without disability at 5 years of age among very low birth weight infants with apnea. In infants born very prematurely with apnea, who are at increased risk of disability with apnea or death, caffeine therapy is the recommended treatment... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Depression, anxiety and daytime sleepiness of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

Revista Paulista de Pediatria — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:37:28 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:Depression, anxiety symptoms and sleep disruption were common in CCP. Child functional level did not influence the results. (Source: Revista Paulista de Pediatria)

Development of knee function after hamstring lengthening as a part of multilevel surgery in children with spastic diplegia: a long-term outcome study.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study are crucial for the prognosis of knee function after hamstring lengthening as a part of multilevel surgery. Recurrence and possible overcorrection should be considered in treatment planning. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID: 22257998 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume)

Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up at Five Years Corrected Age of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants after Postnatal Replacement of 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion:Postnatal E2 and P replacement may have potential in improving neurodevelopmental outcome in ELBW infants. Larger trials are needed to test this new hypothesis. PMID: 22259065 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism)

The Dyskinesia Impairment Scale: a new instrument to measure dystonia and choreoathetosis in dyskinetic cerebral palsy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:54:05 +0100

Aim The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Dyskinesia Impairment Scale (DIS). The DIS consists of two subscales: dystonia and choreoathetosis. It measures both phenomena in dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP).Method Twenty‐five participants with dyskinetic CP (17 males; eight females; age range 5–22y; mean age 13y 6mo; SD 5y 4mo), recruited from special schools for children with motor disorders, were included. Exclusion criteria were changes in muscle relaxant medication within the previous 3 months, orthopaedic or neurosurgical interventions within the previous year, and spinal fusion. Interrater reliability was verified by two independent raters. For interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients were assessed. Standard error of measure...

Study suggests caffeine may help premature babies

CTV Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:50:33 +0100

The latest report from an ongoing international study says a high-dose jolt of caffeine in the neonatal unit is safe and helps lower the risk premature babies will develop cerebral palsy or other motor function disabilities. (Source: CTV Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Does Caffeine Therapy Help Preterm Infants? Not In The Long Term, It Seems

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0100

Survival Without Disability to Age 5 Years After Neonatal Caffeine Therapy for Apnea of Prematurity [Original Contribution]

JAMA — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Neonatal caffeine therapy was no longer associated with a significantly improved rate of survival without disability in children with very low birth weights who were assessed at 5 years. (Source: JAMA)

Trends in Resource Utilization by Children with Neurological Impairment in the United States Inpatient Health Care System: A Repeat Cross-Sectional Study

PLoS Medicine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

by Jay G. Berry, Annapurna Poduri, Joshua L. Bonkowsky, Jing Zhou, Dionne A. Graham, Chelsea Welch, Heather Putney, Rajendu Srivastava Background Care advances in the United States (US) have led to improved survival of children with neurological impairment (NI). Children with NI may account for an increasing proportion of hospital resources. However, this assumption has not been tested at a national level. Methods and Findings We conducted a study of 25,747,016 US hospitalizations of children recorded in the Kids' Inpatient Database (years 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006). Children with NI were identified with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnoses resulting in functional and/or intellectual impairment. We assessed trends in inpatient resource ut...

Sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy and their relationship with maternal sleep and depression

Acta Paediatrica — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Children with cerebral palsy have more sleep problems than typically developing peers. Their mothers also have disturbed sleep which correlates with maternal depression. Childhood sleep problems can be treated and should be identified in routine clinical practice. (Source: Acta Paediatrica)

Children’s legal eagles

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:50:08 +0100

As an attorney, Kristin Small, Esq., specializes in cases where the legal and health care needs of her clients cross paths. She recently worked with the parents of a 5-year-old child with autism. The father had lost his job and the mother couldn’t work because of the time she needed to devote to her son’s care. Though the Social Security Administration (SSA) agreed that their son qualified for benefits medically, the family was deemed ineligible because they had “too many resources.” With both parents out of work and no means of income, legal counsel was the last option they thought was available to them. Their pediatrician referred them to Small, a staff attorney for the Medical Legal Partnership | Boston (MLP) and liaison to Children’s for the newest MLP site in the Children’...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Familial Recurrence of Cerebral Palsy with Multiple Risk Factors

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

The recurrence of cerebral palsy in the same family is uncommon. We, however, report on two families with two or more affected siblings. In both families, numerous potential risk factors were identified including environmental, obstetric, and possible maternal effects. We hypothesize that multiple risk factors may lead to the increased risk of recurrence of cerebral palsy in families. Intrinsic and maternal risk factors should be investigated in all cases of cerebral palsy to properly counsel families on the risk of recurrence. Recent studies of genetic polymorphisms associated with cerebral palsy are considered with reference to our observations in these two families. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)

Tracheostomy Wound Myiasis in a Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

An 8-year-old tracheostomized, gastrostomized, and with cerebral palsy boy was admitted for tracheostomy wound myiasis and cellulitis. Ether was applied in the wound, and then all the accessible larvae were removed. Antibiotic therapy was initiated. The procedure had to be repeated three more times to extract all the larvae. An airway endoscopy was performed and ruled out the presence of larvae in the airway, as well as any damage to the wall of the trachea. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged. (Source: Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience)

Indicators of distress in families of children with cerebral palsy.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Parents of school-aged children with CP are likely to experience high stress, increased time constraints and financial and psychological burden. Findings illustrate the need to monitor family functioning intermittently as the child develops and direct appropriate resources to optimize child and family well-being. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22235883 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

Upper limb impairments and their impact on activity measures in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Classification according to MACS and timing of lesion is important to differentiate within the wide range of impairments and activity limitations. In children with congenital lesions, unimanual capacity and bimanual performance are highly determined by distal strength, supporting the additional use of impairment-based interventions. PMID: 22244966 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology)

Comparison of a row-column speller vs. a novel lateral single-character speller: Assessment of BCI for severe motor disabled patients.

Clinical Neurophysiology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that LSC is an effective alternative to RC, and that LSC still has a margin for potential improvement in bit rate and accuracy. SIGNIFICANCE: The high bit rates and accuracy of LSC are a step forward for the effective use of BCI in clinical applications. PMID: 22244868 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Nutritional rehabilitation increases the resting energy expenditure of malnourished children with severe cerebral palsy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:37 +0100

This study provided support for the hypothesis that the low REE found in malnourished children with CP is partly due to a low energy intake. (Source: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology)

Single‐event multilevel surgery for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:26 +0100

Aim To conduct a systematic review of single‐event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) for children with cerebral palsy, with the aim of evaluating the quality of the evidence and developing recommendations for future research.Method The systematic review was conducted using standard search and extraction methods in Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane electronic databases. For the purposes of this review, SEMLS was defined as two or more soft‐tissue or bony surgical procedures at two or more anatomical levels during one operative procedure, requiring only one hospital admission and one period of rehabilitation. Studies were included if: (1) the primary focus was to examine the effect of SEMLS in children with cerebral palsy; (2) the results focused on multiple anatomic levels and report...

Informing evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines for children with cerebral palsy at risk of osteoporosis: a systematic review

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:25 +0100

Aim The aim of this systematic review was to inform evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and low bone mineral density (BMD).Method A computer‐assisted literature search was focused on low BMD in children with CP, and was limited to the following interventions: weight‐bearing activities, bisphosphonate use, and vitamin D or calcium supplementation. Articles were classified according to American Academy of Neurology guidelines and recommendation classifications were given based on the evidence for the intervention increasing BMD and decreasing fragility fractures. Studies were included if they were English‐language full‐text studies, focused on children with CP, and included at least 10 participants receiving the studied interventi...

Transverse colon volvulus presenting as 'inverted' coffee-bean sign

Archives of Disease in Childhood — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A 12-year-old boy with cerebral palsy had a history of fever, diarrhoea and progressive bilious vomiting for 2 days. Physical examination revealed absent bowel sounds and peritoneal sign. An abdominal plain film showed a ‘V-shaped’ loop of the dilated large intestine with the apex pointing ‘downward’ (figure 1), rather than the typical coffee-bean sign of sigmoid volvulus, which is characterised by an upward-pointing apex. Fluid challenge and broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed due to the status of septic shock. Sigmoid volvulus was suspected initially and colonoscopy revealed a transverse colon volvulus about 120 cm from anus. Emergency surgery was arranged due to failed reduction by colonoscopy. Segmental resection of the transverse colon to about 34 cm in ...

Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia: genetic mechanisms, diagnosis and management

Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:34:52 +0100

Abstract Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HH) is due to the unregulated secretion of insulin from pancreatic β-cells. A rapid diagnosis and appropriate management of these patients is essential to prevent the potentially associated complications like epilepsy, cerebral palsy and neurological impairment. The molecular basis of HH involves defects in key genes (ABCC8, KCNJ11, GLUD1, GCK, HADH, SLC16A1, HNF4A and UCP2) which regulate insulin secretion. The most severe forms of HH are due to loss of function mutations in ABCC8/KCNJ11 which encode the SUR1 and KIR6.2 components respectively of the pancreatic β-cell KATP channel. At a histological level there are two major forms (diffuse and focal) each with a different genetic aetiology. The diffuse form is inherited in an autos...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

The Efficacy of Hypothermia in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy at 18 Mo or More

Indian Journal of Pediatrics — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:33:49 +0100

Conclusions Hypothermia has a beneficial effect in the treatment of HIE in neonates at 18 mo of age or older. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s12098-011-0673-9Authors Li Wu, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaBin Yi, Department of Neonatology, Maternal and Children Hospital of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, ChinaYang Hu, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, ChinaCunwei Ji, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13...

Intensive Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) for Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and Dysarthria.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide some preliminary observations that the children with spastic CP in this study not only tolerated intensive voice treatment but also showed improvement on select aspects of vocal functioning. These outcomes warrant further research through Phase 2 treatment studies. PMID: 22232407 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Intelligibility of 4 year old children with and without cerebral palsy.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Intelligibility was reduced for all groups of children with CP relative to TD children, suggesting the importance of speech-language intervention and the need for research investigating variables associated with changes in intelligibility in children. PMID: 22232403 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)

Risk factors for spinal cord lesions in dystonic cerebral palsy and generalised dystonia

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions As severity of cervical dystonia and age are the major risk factors for spinal cord lesions, dystonic patients, including patients with dystonic CP, should be screened for CM from the third decade of life onwards. Early recognition of CM is crucial for functional prognosis and impact on autonomy. (Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry)

Absence of perioperative analgesia in children with cerebral palsy: how justified is it?

Paediatric Anaesthesia — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:19:31 +0100

Authors: Makkar JK, Singh NP PMID: 22211644 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Paediatric Anaesthesia)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

In reply: absence of perioperative analgesia in children with cerebral palsy: how justified is it?

Paediatric Anaesthesia — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:19:13 +0100

Authors: Kim SH, Chang CH, Shin YS PMID: 22211646 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Paediatric Anaesthesia)

From Spinal Central Pattern Generators to Cortical Network: Integrated BCI for Walking Rehabilitation

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:27:21 +0100

Success in locomotor rehabilitation programs can be improved with the use of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Although a wealth of research has demonstrated that locomotion is largely controlled by spinal mechanisms, the brain is of utmost importance in monitoring locomotor patterns and therefore contains information regarding central pattern generation functioning. In addition, there is also a tight coordination between the upper and lower limbs, which can also be useful in controlling locomotion. The current paper critically investigates different approaches that are applicable to this field: the use of electroencephalogram (EEG), upper limb electromyogram (EMG), or a hybrid of the two neurophysiological signals to control assistive exoskeletons used in locomotion based on programmable ...

In reply: absence of perioperative analgesia in children with cerebral palsy: how justified is it?

Pediatric Anesthesia — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:37:04 +0100

(Source: Pediatric Anesthesia)

Absence of perioperative analgesia in children with cerebral palsy: how justified is it?

Pediatric Anesthesia — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:37:02 +0100

(Source: Pediatric Anesthesia)

UNC Study Could Lead To A Treatment For Angelman Syndrome

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Results of a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may help pave the way to a treatment for a neurogenetic disorder often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism. Known as Angelman syndrome, or AS, its most characteristic feature is the absence or near absence of speech throughout the person's life. Occurring in one in 15,000 live births, other AS characteristics include intellectual and developmental delay, severe intellectual disability, seizures, sleep disturbance, motor and balance disorders... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Cochlear implant outcomes in children with motor developmental delay

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Regarding to the result, we concluded that children with hearing loss and concomitant MDD as an additional disabilities can benefit from cochlear implantation similar to those of NMD. (Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology)

Whey- vs Casein-Based Enteral Formula and Gastrointestinal Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

JPEN Journal Of Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This pilot study shows that in children who have severe CP with a gastrostomy and fundoplication, GE of the whey-based enteral formula is significantly faster than casein. The acceleration in GE does not alter GOR frequency, and there appears to be no effect of whey vs casein in reducing acid, nonacid, and total reflux episodes. The results indicate that enteral formula selection may be particularly important for children with severe CP and delayed GE. PMID: 22237871 [PubMed - in process] (Source: JPEN Journal Of Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition)

Public services for children with special needs: Discrimination by diagnosis?

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractIn July 2011, the Australian federal government announced expansion of early intervention funding. Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and hearing and vision impairments are now eligible in addition to the existing funding for children diagnosed with autistic disorders. By deciding who gets the funding according to a set of accepted diagnoses, many children with equivalent if not greater levels of early intervention special need are excluded. In this viewpoint, we consider the fairness of this approach, and argue that while it may make sense from a political point of view, it is hard to justify, and possibly even discriminatory, from clinical, ethical and legal perspectives. (Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)

A combination of Botulinum Toxin A therapy and Functional Electrical Stimulation in children with cerebral palsy - A pilot study.

Technology and Health Care — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that it is feasible to combine BTXA therapy with FES in ambulant children with spastic CP. PMID: 22297709 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Technology and Health Care)

Methylation capacity in children with severe cerebral palsy

European Journal of Clinical Investigation — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:18:06 +0100

Conclusions: Raised MCV in the presence of elevated red cell folate, adequate B12 status and low plasma urate, suggest potential methyltetrahydrofolate trapping and impaired purine synthesis. Well documented malnutrition issues in O may explain differences between CP groups. These data support the hypothesis of possible dysregulation in methylation capacity and/or folate one‐carbon metabolism, although more research is needed to elucidate a precise mechanism. (Source: European Journal of Clinical Investigation)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Long-term neurological outcome of term-born children treated with two or more anti-epileptic drugs during the neonatal period

Early Human Development — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:48:08 +0100

Abstract: Background: Neonatal seizures may persist despite treatment with multiple anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).Objective: To determine in term-born infants with seizures that required two or more AEDs, whether treatment efficacy and/or the underlying disorder were related to neurological outcome.Design/methods: We included 82 children (born 1998–2006) treated for neonatal seizures. We recorded mortality, aetiology of seizures, the number of AEDs required, achievement of seizure control, and amplitude-integrated-EEG (aEEG) background patterns. Follow-up consisted of an age-adequate neurological examination. Surviving children were classified as normal, having mild neurological abnormalities, or cerebral palsy (CP).Results: Forty-seven infants (57%) had status epilepticus. The number of A...

A comparison of activity, participation and quality of life in children with and without spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These findings encourage the development of therapeutic interventions that aim to reduce these imbalances at all levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22200241 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

Cerebral palsy: the whys and hows

Child: Care, Health and Development — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:12:43 +0100

(Source: Child: Care, Health and Development)

Psychosocial adjustment in a Dutch sample of children with cerebral palsy.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Using the by-proxy version of the PARS-III it was found that children with CP are reported to achieve lower psychosocial adjustment scores than healthy children. PMID: 22197464 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology)

Pulmonary Effects of Neonatal Hydrocortisone Treatment in Ventilator-Dependent Preterm Infants

Journal of Biophysics — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:20:46 +0100

Conclusions. Hydrocortisone was effective in reducing the FiO2, MAP, and PaCO2 and facilitated extubation. Hydrocortisone was not associated with cerebral palsy. (Source: Journal of Biophysics)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Coronal Plane Knee Moments Improve After Correcting External Tibial Torsion in Patients With Cerebral Palsy.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Correction of external tibial torsion in ambulatory patients with cerebral palsy improves the kinematic and kinetic deviations identified by gait analysis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic series. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID: 22183475 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research)

Treadmill interventions with partial body weight support in children under six years of age at risk of neuromotor delay.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:00:04 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The current review provided only limited evidence of the efficacy of treadmill intervention in children up to six years of age. Few studies have assessed treadmill interventions in young children using an appropriate control group (which would be usual treatment or no treatment). The available evidence indicates that treadmill intervention may accelerate the development of independent walking in children with Down syndrome. Further research is needed to confirm this and should also address whether intensive treadmill intervention can accelerate walking onset in young children with cerebral palsy and high risk infants, and whether treadmill intervention has a general effect on gross motor development in the various subgroups of young children at risk for developmental delay. ...

Indication process of cochlear implant for a child with cerebral palsy: a case report

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:11:29 +0100

This study highlights the importance of the pre-surgical protocol for children with CP who are candidates for CI. Through assessment tools directed to the global aspects of development, one can obtain specific information that improve parent counseling regarding the child's prognosis and make it possible to trace actual hearing rehabilitation goals. (Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia)

Assessment of dental trauma among cerebral palsy individuals in Udaipur city. - Jalihal S, Nagarajappa R, Sharda A, Asawa K, Tak M.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:35:12 +0100

Objective: (i) To assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in individuals with cerebral palsy and its possible relationship with type of palsy at Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India. (ii) To assess the prevalence of temporomandibular joint sy... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

AAN Press Release: Comedian Josh Blue Records PSA on Cerebral Palsy for American Academy of Neurology Foundation

American Academy of Neurology — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:38:17 +0100

Blue, best known for winning season four of NBC's television show Last Comic Standing, continues to break down stereotypes of people with disabilities one laugh at a time. (Source: American Academy of Neurology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Prevalence of hip dislocation among children with cerebral palsy in regions with and without a surveillance programme: a cross sectional study in Sweden and Norway

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The surveillance programme reduced the number of hip dislocations and the proportion of children undergoing hip surgery was lower. However, with the surveillance programme the first operation was performed at a younger age. Our results strongly support the effectiveness of a specifically designed follow-up programme for the prevention of hip dislocation in children with CP. (Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders)

[Infiltration of the psoas muscles with botulinum toxin guided by computerised axial tomography: a series of cases].

Revista de Neurologia — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS. Infiltration of the psoas muscle guided by CT is an effective, safe technique for reducing spasticity in bending the hip, which, if accompanied by infiltration of the ischiotibial muscles, improves the attitude on bending the hip and knee. PMID: 22127659 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

Complications of cervical pedicle screw fixation for nontraumatic lesions: a multicenter study of 84 patients.

Journal of Neurosurgery.Spine — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions In the present study, misplacement of cervical PSs and associated complications occurred more often than in previous studies. The rates of screw-related neurovascular complications and neurological deterioration unrelated to PSs were high. Insertion of a PS for nontraumatic lesions is surgically more challenging than that for trauma; consequently, experienced surgeons should use PS fixation for nontraumatic cervical lesions only after thorough preoperative evaluation of each patient's cervical anatomy and after considering the risk factors specified in the present study. PMID: 22176430 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Neurosurgery.Spine)

Premature baby in California third smallest in world to survive

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:36:12 +0100

Los Angeles baby Melinda Guido, born at 24 weeks, weighing 9.5 ounces, was so small she could fit into palm of doctor's handAt birth, Melinda Star Guido was so tiny she could fit into the palm of her doctor's hand. Weighing just 9.5 ounces (269gm) she was among the smallest babies ever born in the world. Most infants her size do not survive. But doctors are now preparing to send Melinda home.The child was born premature, at 24 weeks, last August and spent her early months cocooned in an incubator in a neonatal intensive care unit.Almost every day, her mother, Haydee Ibarra, 22, sits at her bedside and stays overnight whenever she can.Melinda is believed to be the second smallest baby to survive in the US and third in the world.During her pregnancy Ibarra suffered from high blood pressure. ...

Comparing quantitative tractography metrics of motor and sensory pathways in children with periventricular leukomalacia and different levels of gross motor function

Neuroradiology — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:44:35 +0100

Conclusions Children with bilateral spastic CP with differing levels of gross motor function have corresponding differences detectable on DTT in their corticospinal tracts but not in their somatosensory tracts and posterior thalamic radiations. In addition, the number and volume of fibers, but not fractional anisotropy values or apparent diffusion coefficients, are lower in the corticospinal tracts in children with low gross motor function than in those with high gross motor function. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Paediatric NeuroradiologyPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00234-011-0996-2Authors Dong-wook Rha, Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752 South KoreaWon Hyu...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Rectus Femoris Transfer Improves Stiff Knee Gait in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Distal rectus femoris transfer selectively improved peak knee flexion, toe drag, and reduced time to peak knee flexion in ambulatory children with CP with stiff knee gait. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See guidelines for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID: 22167658 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research)

Survival and cerebral palsy

Archives of Disease in Childhood — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

A programme to improve the management of children with cerebral palsy and to monitor their progress was introduced in two southern counties in Sweden in 1994. Since then it has been extended to the whole country, and has been taken up by Norway, Denmark and Iceland, and become well-known globally. Data on survival to late adolescence and on causes of death and associated factors have been reported (Lena Westbom and colleagues. Dev Med Child Neurol 2011;53:808–14; see also Commentary, ibid: 776). The study included 708 of 718 children with cerebral palsy who survived to the age of 2 years and had been born in the two southernmost counties of Sweden between 1990 and 2005 or had lived there at any time between 1990 and January 2010. Follow-up was to the end of January 2010. All of the c...

Gait Improvement in Patients with Cerebral Palsy by Visual and Auditory Feedback

Neuromodulation — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Training with visual and auditory feedback cues can improve gait parameters in patients with gait disorders due to cerebral palsy. This was contrasted by no improvement in age‐matched healthy individuals. (Source: Neuromodulation)

Infections after spinal correction and fusion for spinal deformities in childhood and adolescence

International Orthopaedics — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:55:51 +0100

Conclusion Deep wound infection after instrumented fusion of the spine remains a difficult and challenging clinical problem and entails substantial morbidity, cost, and recovery time for the patient. An aggressive approach to deep wound infection emphasising early irrigation and debridement allowed preservation of instrumentation and successful fusion in most cases. At the conclusion of treatment, patients can expect a medium-term clinical outcome similar to patients in whom infectious complication did not occur. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00264-011-1439-8Authors Manon Bachy, Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Pierre and Marie Curie University Paris 6, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, 75571...

Identifying assessment measures and interventions reported for Thai children with cerebral palsy using the ICF-CY framework.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Classifying measures of children with CP in Thailand in terms of the ICF-CY framework demonstrates their holistic management as well as where gaps need to be addressed, and thus contributes to best practice. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22148940 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Effects of functional electrical stimulation on trunk control in children with diplegic cerebral palsy.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: We believe to provide balance in sitting for children with CP, FES applied on abdomen-back muscles along with conventional therapy to maintain trunk control is more effective than conventional therapy alone. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22149464 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

Assessment of dental trauma among cerebral palsy individuals in Udaipur city

Dental Traumatology — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: It was concluded that hemiplegic cerebral palsy patients were most prone to TDI. (Source: Dental Traumatology)

Functional Taping Applied to Upper Limb of Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

Neuropediatrics — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NeuropediatricsDOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1295478Functional taping with elastic bandages and adhesive tapes could limit the action of upper limb spastic muscles and sustain that of weaker muscles in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). 16 young children with CP (3±2 years old) were enrolled in this pilot study including 5 months of taping in conjunction with conventional physical therapy, followed by 7 months of physical therapy alone (taping wash-out), and other 5 months of taping plus therapy. Large improvements in the Melbourne assessment score were found in the first period in which taping was used (+15.4%, p<0.001) and also in the second one despite 8 drop-outs (+8.4%, p=0.012), but not during the taping wash-out (− 4.6%; p=0.093). These results suggest that children with CP...

The importance of addressing heteroscedasticity in the reliability analysis of ratio‐scaled variables: an example based on walking energy‐cost measurements

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study presents an examination of heteroscedasticity for walking energy cost before analysing the reliability.Method Walking energy cost was collected from 33 children with cerebral palsy (CP), with varying Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels (19 males; 14 females; mean age: 7y 6mo [SD 2y 6mo]; GMFCS levels I [n=16], II [n=7], and III [n=10]). It was assessed by measuring oxygen uptake during 10 minutes of resting and 5 minutes of walking at comfortable speed. Measurements were performed twice, within 4 to 6 weeks. Primary outcomes included gross energy cost, gross non‐dimensional energy cost, net energy cost, net non‐dimensional energy cost, speed, and non‐dimensional speed. Heteroscedasticity was analysed with Bland–Altman plots and Kendall’s ...

Treatment of Glenohumeral Arthrosis and Inferior Shoulder Subluxation in an Adult with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Namdari S, Keenan MA PMID: 22159862 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Ankle Dorsiflexor Function After Plantar Flexor Surgery in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The kinematic data support the clinical impression that ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase is improved following ankle plantar flexor lengthening surgery in children with cerebral palsy. In the majority of patients, this was a consequence of the correction of a fixed equinus contracture of the ankle plantar flexors that was constraining preexisting ankle dorsiflexor function. Weakness of all of the muscles is common, and surgical lengthening should only be considered for the correction of recalcitrant muscle contractures. Improved function of the antagonist muscle should be anticipated and optimized by appropriately focused strength training and other modalities during rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete descr...

Sepiapterin reductase deficiency: A treatable mimic of cerebral palsy

Annals of Neurology — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We describe clinical, biochemical and molecular findings in a cohort of patients with this treatable condition. We aim to improve awareness of the phenotype and available diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to reduce delayed or misdiagnosis, optimize management and improve understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms.MethodsForty‐three individuals with SRD were identified from twenty‐three international medical centers. The phenotype and treatment response were assessed by chart review using a detailed standardized instrument and by literature review for cases for which records were unavailable.ResultsIn most cases, motor and language delays, axial hypotonia, dystonia, weakness, oculogyric crises and diurnal fluctuation of symptoms with sleep benefit become evident in infancy or chil...

Motor cortical functional geometry in cerebral palsy and its relationship to disability.

Clinical Neurophysiology — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities in TMS-derived motor maps cut across the clinical classifications of hemiplegic and diplegic CP. The lateralization of the upper and lower extremity motor representation demonstrates reorganization after insults to the affected hemispheres of both diplegic and hemiplegic children. SIGNIFICANCE: The current study is a step towards defining the relationship between changes in motor maps and functional impairments in CP. These results suggest the need for further work to develop improved classification schemes that integrate clinical, radiologic, and neurophysiologic measures in CP. PMID: 22153667 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

Cerebral palsy, brain lesions, and thrombophilic genetic factors

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology)

Neonatal assessments for the preterm infant up to 4 months corrected age: a systematic review

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Aim The aim of this study was to systematically review the clinimetric properties of longitudinal neonatal neurobehavioural and neuromotor assessments for preterm infants.Method Twenty‐seven assessment measures were identified. The following eight measures met the study inclusion criteria: Assessment of Preterm Infants’ Behaviour (APIB), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioural Scale (NNNS), Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), Prechtl’s Assessment of General Movements (GMs), Neurobehavioural Assessment of the Preterm Infant (NAPI), Dubowitz Neurological Assessment of the Preterm and Full‐term Infant (Dubowitz), Neuromotor Behavioural Assessment (NMBA), and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS). The primary purposes included prediction (T...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Telegraph Christmas Appeal: thanks for the ride

Telegraph Health — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:14:04 +0100

The lives of cerebral palsy triplets Deane, Ross and Jamie Beswick were changed for ever the moment they first sat in the saddle. Nisha Diu reports. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Symptomatic Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke: The International Pediatric Stroke Study

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Newborns with AIS are often systemically sick, whereas their mothers are usually healthy. Definitive causes for most neonatal AISs have not been established, and large-scale case-control studies are required to understand pathogenesis if outcomes are to be improved. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Comparison of 3 Different Methods to Analyze Ankle Plantarflexor Stiffness in Children With Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Ross SA, Foreman M, Engsberg JR. Comparison of 3 different methods to analyze ankle plantarflexor stiffness in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.Objective: To compare 3 different methods of measuring plantarflexor stiffness in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (CP) and children without disability.Design: Case-control study.Setting: Human performance laboratory.Participants: A retrospective analysis was conducted with children with spastic diplegia (n=121; mean age, 8.4y) and children with typical development (TD) (n=48; mean age, 9.7y).Interventions: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures: An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure ankle plantarflexor stiffness at 10°/s using 3 methods: (1) end-range method, which applied a linear slope to the end of the...

Lack of Predictive Control in Lifting Series of Virtual Objects by Individuals With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

IEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

To date, research on the motor control of hand function in cerebral palsy has focused on children with hemiplegia, although many persons with diplegic cerebral palsy (dCP) have asymmetrically decreased hand function. We explored the predictive capabilities of the motor system in a simple motor task of lifting a series of virtual objects for five persons with spastic dCP and five age-matched controls. When a person lifts an object, s/he uses an expectation of the weight of the object to generate a motor command. We asked the study subjects to lift a series of increasing weights and determined whether they extrapolated from past experience to predict the next weight in the series, even though that weight had never been experienced. Planning of precision grasp was assessed by measurement of t...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Using a Life Course Approach to Explore How the Use of AAC Impacts on Adult Sibling Relationships.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dew A, Balandin S, Llewellyn G Abstract A life-course methodology was used to explore the relationship between four adults with moderate/severe cerebral palsy with complex communication needs who used AAC, and six of their non-disabled siblings. In-depth interview data were analyzed using a constructivist grounded-theory approach. Elder's life-course paradigm illuminated the importance of historical timing, social time, linked lives, and human agency to the development of communication strategies between siblings. Taking a life-course approach to studying issues related to individuals who use AAC assists understanding of how their family experiences and relationships change over time. This understanding is important, given the strong commitment by family members demonstrat...

Severe crouch gait in spastic diplegia can be prevented: a population-based study.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vuillermin C, Rodda J, Rutz E, Shore BJ, Smith K, Graham HK Abstract We studied the prevalence of severe crouch gait over a 15-year period in a defined population of children with spastic diplegia and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II and III, to determine if there had been a decrease following changes to the management of equinus gait. These changes were replacing observational with three-dimensional gait analysis, replacing single level with multilevel surgery, and replacing gastrocsoleus lengthening with gastrocnemius recession. Of 464 children and adolescents with spastic diplegia who underwent three-dimensional gait analysis, 27 had severe crouch gait. Seventeen of these had been managed by isolated lengthening of the gastrocsoleus. Following change...

Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Living in Hong Kong's Residential Care Facilities: A Descriptive Analysis of Health and Disease Patterns by Sex, Age, and Presence of Down Syndrome

Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe the health status profile and identify the healthcare needs of adults with intellectual disability (ID) residing in 18 of Hong Kong's residential care facilities. The author employed a cross‐sectional study using a structured questionnaire survey to collect data on 811 persons with ID (432 males, 53.3%, and 379 females, 46.7%) with an average age of 44. Of the residents, 107 (13.2%) had Down syndrome, 275 (34%) had epilepsy, and 134 (16.6%) had cerebral palsy. Some 25.4% were underweight and 27.3% were overweight. They had the same illnesses as the general population, but the relative frequencies were different. In terms of prevalence, the top five chronic conditions were epilepsy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cataract, and gout (compared...

A systematic evaluation of the effect of thumb opponens splints on hand function in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

Clinical Rehabilitation — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Thumb opponens splints may have a positive effect on hand function in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. PMID: 22140098 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Rehabilitation)

Neonatal correlates of adverse outcomes in very low‐birthweight infants in the NICU Network

Pediatrics International — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Cystic PVL, gastrointestinal perforation, IVH and sepsis correlated with both death or CP and death or developmental delay in VLBW infants. Chronic lung disease at 36 weeks and treatment for ROP were associated with death or developmental delay, but not with death or CP. (Source: Pediatrics International)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Altered sense of agency in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

BMC Neurology — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Background Children diagnosed with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) often show perceptual and cognitive problems, which may contribute to their functional deficit. Here we investigated if altered ability to determine whether an observed movement is performed by themselves (sense of agency) contributes to the motor deficit in children with CP.Methods Three groups; 1) CP children, 2) healthy peers, and 3) healthy adults produced straight drawing movements on a pen-tablet which was not visible for the subjects. The produced movement was presented as a virtual moving object on a computer screen. Subjects had to evaluate after each trial whether the movement of the object on the computer screen was generated by themselves or by a computer program which randomly manipulated the visual feedback by ang...

Interobserver reliability of the Turkish version of the expanded and revised gross motor function classification system.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The Turkish version of the E&R GMFCS is shown to be reliable and valid for assessment of Turkish CP children. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22126744 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

The Smart Wheelchair: is it an appropriate mobility training tool for children with physical disabilities?

Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology. — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The Smart Wheelchair has the ability to uncover learning potential and facilitate the recognition of abilities in children previously excluded from access to independent mobility. Given the significant limitation that restrictions in mobility pose to participation for children with physical disabilities, therapists must begin to understand the effectiveness of interventions such as the Smart Wheelchair. The descriptive findings of this study allow for future, more rigorous research, to be conducted on the effectiveness of the Smart Wheelchair as a mobility training tool. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22124287 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology.)

Correction of the Claw Hand

Hand Clinics — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:08:23 +0100

This article describes the clinical evaluation and surgical treatment options for claw hand. (Source: Hand Clinics)

Cerebral blood flow during reperfusion predicts later brain damage in a mouse and a rat model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Experimental Neurology — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ohshima M, Tsuji M, Taguchi A, Kasahara Y, Ikeda T Abstract Children with severe neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) die or develop life-long neurological impairments such as cerebral palsy and mental retardation. Decreased regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) is believed to be the predominant factor that determines the level of tissue injury in the immature brain. However, the spatio-temporal profiles of CBF after neonatal HIE are not well understood. CB17 mouse and Wistar rat pups were exposed to a unilateral hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult at seven or eight days of age. Laser speckle imaging sequentially measured the cortical surface CBF before the hypoxic exposure and until 24h after the hypoxic exposure. Seven days after the HI insult, brain damage was morpholog...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Cell therapy for neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia and cerebral palsy

Annals of Neurology — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractBackground and purpose:Perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury remains a major cause of cerebral palsy. Although therapeutic hypothermia is now established to improve recovery from hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) at term, many infants continue to survive with disability, and hypothermia has not yet been tested in preterm infants.Summary:There is increasing evidence from in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies that stem/ progenitor cells may have multiple beneficial effects on outcome after hypoxic‐ischemic injury. Stem/progenitor cells have shown great promise in animal studies in decreasing neurological impairment, however, the mechanisms of action of stem cells, and the optimal type, dose and method of administration remain surprisingly unclear, and some studies have found no benefi...

Time use patterns in ambulatory adolescents with cerebral palsy

Child: Care, Health and Development — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions By and large, the activity patterns of ambulatory adolescents with CP were similar to their TD peers. Results highlight physical activity in younger adolescents (11–13 years) as an area for targeted interventions. (Source: Child: Care, Health and Development)

The Foundations of Newborn Brain Development

Clinics in Perinatology — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:48:18 +0100

In a recent article published in the magazine New Yorker entitled, “A Child in Time,” Jerome Groopman captures the journey of a prematurely born infant into adulthood and cites the many advances that have helped secure a better future for the tiniest of preterm infants. The caption accompanying a picture on the front page aptly reads, “Recent advances have boosted parents’ hopes, but uncertainties remain.” Indeed, a day in a high-risk developmental follow-up clinic examining these growing infants will reveal the broad spectrum of outcomes that await them—from frank cerebral palsy to a brilliant young child completely unaware of the close scare of preterm birth. (Source: Clinics in Perinatology)

Evaluation of methods for teaching electronic visual scanning to children with cerebral palsy: two series of case studies.

Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology. — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Significant challenges exist when studying the effectiveness of instructional techniques for teaching electronic row-column scanning to children with cerebral palsy. These case series provide information regarding the importance of selecting the most appropriate scanning technique to ensure reliable switch activation, carefully structuring the teaching environment to optimize learning, and being cognizant of the impact of fatigue and motivation on performance. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22112210 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology.)

International classification of functioning, disability and health in children with cerebral palsy.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Therefore, evaluation and rehabilitation processes should be focused on the quality of life improvement by emphasizing what a child can and wants to execute within the environment. Also, environmental factors should be recognized so that barriers could be minimized and adaptations to the environment achieved. However, few studies have verified the interrelationship between contextual factors and the functioning and disability domains in children with CP. This would allow us to know about approaches specifically designed for these children's needs. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22107334 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Prediction of developmental performance in preterm infants at two years of corrected age: Contribution of the neurological assessment at term age

Early Human Development — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:06:30 +0100

This study assesses the usefulness of the ATNAT in the prediction of developmental problems at two years of corrected age (CA) in infants born between 29 and 37 weeks of gestation.Method: Inclusion criteria were: gestational age between 290/7 and 366/7 weeks inclusively, birth weight below 2500g and minimal 24-hour stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Sainte-Justine Hospital. A sample of 147 was prospectively recruited and assessed at two ages: at term with the ATNAT and at 24months CA with Bayley Scales of Infant Development–II.Results: No major impairment such as cerebral palsy and no neurosensory impairment were observed. Developmental delay defined by an index (Source: Early Human Development)

Surgical Technique: Medial Column Arthrodesis in Rigid Spastic Planovalgus Feet.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Based on our preliminary observations, we believe stabilization of the medial column is a reasonable option for treating selected patients with severe and rigid planovalgus feet by providing a stable and pain-free foot, recreating the anatomy, and allowing the use of braces or regular shoes. Further studies with longer followup periods will be required to confirm these initial results and to verify if these findings persist over time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID: 22101404 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research)

Metabolic testing in children with cerebral palsy: yield could be up to 20%

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:01:00 +0100

(Source: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology)

Verification of the Robin and Graham classification system of hip disease in cerebral palsy using three‐dimensional computed tomography

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:44 +0100

Aim We evaluated the validity of the Robin and Graham classification system of hip disease in cerebral palsy (CP) using three‐dimensional computed tomography in young people with CP.Method A total of 91 hips in 91 consecutive children with bilateral spastic CP (57 males, 34 females; nine classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System level II, 42 at level III, 32 at level IV, and eight at level V; mean age 5y 2mo, SD 11mo; range 2–6y) were investigated retrospectively using anteroposterior plain radiographs and three‐dimensional computed tomography (3D‐CT) of the hip. The migration percentage was calculated on plain radiographs and all participants were classified into four groups according to migration percentage: grade II, migration percentage ≥10% but ≤ 15%, ...

2D versus 3D imaging of hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:30 +0100

(Source: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Atypical timing and presentation of periventricular haemorrhagic infarction in preterm infants: the role of thrombophilia

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Aim Periventricular haemorrhagic infarction (PVHI) is a complication of preterm birth associated with cardiorespiratory instability. To date, the role of thrombophilia as a possible additional risk factor in infants with atypical timing and presentation of PVHI has not been investigated.Method This was a retrospective cohort study of preterm infants who developed PVHI with an atypical timing and presentation either of antenatal onset or late in the postnatal course in the absence of a preceding sudden deterioration of their clinical condition. In infants with atypical PVHI mutation analysis of the factor V Leiden (G1691A), prothrombin (G20210A) gene, and C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene was performed, and plasma lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine levels were measured.Res...

The effects of multiple pre- and perinatal risk factors on the occurrence of cerebral palsy. A Norwegian register based study.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of children with CP born at term most likely had an antenatal or single cause, suggesting individual susceptibility to an injury. The majority of children born preterm, had combinations or sequences of antenatal and perinatal risk factors as the most likely cause of CP. PMID: 22104566 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology)

Recurrent pneumonia due to esophageal migration of the gastrostomy MIC-Key tube remnant causing proximal esophageal obstruction

Respiratory Medicine CME — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:48:12 +0100

Abstract: A 16 years old female with history of cerebral palsy, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and severe scoliosis presents for recurrent pneumonia. Multiple prior plain films demonstrate progressive increased consolidation confined to the left lower lobe. Subsequently, a CT of the chest was preformed which showed a plastic gastrostomy (MIC-Key tube) bumper in the proximal esophagus causing severe tracheal narrowing. The patient underwent endoscopic removal of the gastrostomy bumper without incident. (Source: Respiratory Medicine CME)

Clinical Implications of MR Imaging Findings in the White Matter in Very Preterm Infants: A 2-year Follow-up Study [Neuroradiology]

Radiology — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Because of its high incidence in preterm infants around TEA, its absence after a postmenstrual age of 50 weeks, and its association with normal neurologic outcome at a corrected age of 2 years, DEHSI should not be considered part of the spectrum of WM injury, but rather a prematurity-related developmental phenomenon. © RSNA, 2011 (Source: Radiology)

An Unusual Case of Spontaneous Bladder Perforation with Associated Autodialysis of the Ensuing Urinary Ascites

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:13:11 +0100

We present an unusual case of urinary bladder rupture in a patient with severe cerebral palsy who initially presented with localized abdominal pain and during admission developed generalized peritonitis caused by bladder rupture. In this case, the patient had none of risk factors associated with urinary bladder. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Dental erosion and salivary flow rate in cerebral palsy individuals with gastroesophageal reflux

Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The presence of GERD contributes significantly to dental erosion in the most compromised individuals with quadriplegics cerebral palsy individuals, increasing the risk of oral disease in this population. (Source: Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine)

Stress among the parents of children with cerebral palsy

Archives of Disease in Childhood — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The parents of children with cerebral palsy are more likely to report stress than the parents of children without disability. Previous reports have indicated a twofold rise in the prevalence of stress and a four or fivefold increase in the prevalence of anxiety or depression among the parents of children with hemiplegia. A vicious circle may develop, with increased parental stress leading to reduced parenting performance, leading in turn to difficulties for the child that add to the parental stress. Most studies of parental stress and cerebral palsy have been small, with methodological inadequacies. Now a large study in eight European countries (England, Sweden, Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, France (two regions), Denmark, Italy and Germany) has provided better data (Jackie Parkes a...

Reliability and validity of the five-repetition sit-to-stand test for children with cerebral palsy.

Clinical Rehabilitation — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The five-repetition sit-to-stand test was a reliable and valid test to measure functional muscle strength in children with spastic diplegia in clinics. PMID: 22080526 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Rehabilitation)

About New York: Bonded by Disability, a Couple Keeps a Promise Till Death

NYT Health — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:37:19 +0100

Edwin Morales and Noemi Rivera, who both had cerebral palsy, eloped in 1996 and promised never to leave each other. On Thursday, Mr. Morales buried his wife, proud that the vow had been kept. (Source: NYT Health)

Can cytokines predict which ELBW infants are at risk for cerebral palsy?

The Journal of Pediatrics — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:14:12 +0100

There is increasing evidence that intrauterine, or early postnatal inflammation, may lead to cerebral palsy (CP) and long-term neurodevelopmental handicap. Alterations in several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines/mediators during the first days after birth have been associated with CP in late-preterm and full term infants. In this issue of The Journal, Carlo et al measured a select group of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines/mediators, in the blood of more than 1000 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants during the first 3 days after birth to determine whether they were predictive of subsequent CP. The authors found that most cytokines that have been previously shown to have high prognostic ability for CP in term and late-preterm infants did not differ between ELBW infa...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Cognitive and Neurological Outcome at the Age of 5-8 Years of Preterm Infants with Post-Hemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation Requiring Neurosurgical Intervention.

Neonatology — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The majority of the children in our population had no impairments. Cerebral palsy was not seen in any of the infants with a grade III hemorrhage. PMID: 22076409 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neonatology)

Epilepsy and cerebral palsy: Characteristics and trends in children born in 1976-1998.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CP with epilepsy followed a quadratic trend in 1976-1998 and mirrored that of the prevalence of CP during this period. The observed relationship between epilepsy and associated impairments was expected; however it requires longitudinal studies to be better understood. PMID: 22079130 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology)

The role of co-activation in strength and force modulation in the elbow of children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: To study the role of coactivation in strength and force modulation in the elbow joint of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), we investigated the affected and contralateral arm of 21 persons (age 8–18) with spastic unilateral CP in three tasks: maximal voluntary isokinetic concentric contraction and passive isokinetic movement during elbow flexion and extension, and sub-maximal isometric force tracing during elbow flexion. Elbow flexion–extension torque and surface electromyography (EMG) of the biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles were recorded. During the maximal contractions, the affected arm was weaker, had decreased agonist and similar antagonist EMG amplitudes, and thus increased antagonist co-activation (% of maximal activity as agonist) du...

Motion interactive video games in home training for children with cerebral palsy: parents? perceptions.

Disability and Rehabilitation — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Low-cost motion interactive games may provide increased motivation and social interaction to home training and promote independent training with reduced coaching efforts for the parents. In future designs of interactive games for rehabilitation purposes, it is important to preserve the motivational and social features of games while optimizing the individualized physical exercise. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22066685 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

Low 5‐minute Apgar score in moderately preterm infants; association with subsequent death and cerebral palsy. A register based Danish national study

Acta Paediatrica — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Acta Paediatrica)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Low 5‐min Apgar score in moderately preterm infants; association with subsequent death and cerebral palsy: a register based Danish national study

Acta Paediatrica — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Acta Paediatrica)

Cerebral palsy: analysis of swallowing patterns before and after speech therapy intervention

Revista CEFAC — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:39:20 +0100

CONCLUSION: this study found that the speech intervention in patients with Cerebral Palsy brings as a result an improvement in their usual diet, despite the short treatment period(three months). (Source: Revista CEFAC)

Behavioural problems in school age children with cerebral palsy. - Brossard-Racine M, Hall N, Majnemer A, Shevell MI, Law M, Poulin C, Rosenbaum P.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:28:46 +0100

BACKGROUND: Although behavioural problems are frequent in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), the exact nature of these difficulties and their relationship with intrinsic or extrinsic factors are just beginning to be explored. AIM: To describe and character... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Protein levels in enteral feeds: do these meet requirements in children with severe cerebral palsy?

The British Journal of Nutrition — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We examined differences in protein intake and a variety of protein metabolism indices in children with CP compared with controls. A total of twenty-four children aged 4-12 years with marked CP fed orally (O, n 15) or enterally (E, n 9) were recruited, including age-matched typically developing children (C, n 24). Fasting blood samples were analysed for levels of albumin, creatinine, urea and urate. Parents collected an exact food replica for three consecutive days of their child's actual intake, which were directly analysed for protein content. Significant differences were found in protein intakes between the groups (mean percentage minimum requirements: E = 178 (sd 47); O = 208 (sd 95); C = 311 (sd 119), P = 0·005). Despite all children consuming over recommended levels, children...

[Fetal and neonatal complications related to prolonged pregnancy.]

Journal de Gynecologie, Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of perinatal complications and mortality are increased in prolonged pregnancy. PMID: 22056186 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal de Gynecologie, Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Utility of combined hip abduction angle for hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy

Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Orthopaedics : 2007 - 41(1) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our study shows that correlation exists between CHAA and MP, which has been proved to be useful for hip screening in CP children at risk of hip dislocation. CHAA is an easy, rapid, cost-effective clinical test which can be performed by paraclinical health practitioners (physiotherapists) and orthopedic surgeons. (Source: Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Orthopaedics : 2007 - 41(1))

Scientists Stop Cerebral Palsy-Like Brain Damage In Mice

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that a protein may help prevent the kind of brain damage that occurs in babies with cerebral palsy. Using a mouse model that mimics the devastating condition in newborns, the researchers found that high levels of the protective protein, Nmnat1, substantially reduce damage that develops when the brain is deprived of oxygen and blood flow. The finding offers a potential new strategy for treating cerebral palsy as well as strokes, and perhaps Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Images in Preterm Infants with Bilirubin Encephalopathy

The Journal of Pediatrics — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Two preterm infants with athetoid cerebral palsy due to bilirubin encephalopathy were examined by magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at age 3 years. An increased glutamate/glutamine complex/creatine ratio was found in the basal ganglia. Chemical metabolic abnormalities of the basal ganglia were clearly demonstrated by color-coded metabolite images. (Source: The Journal of Pediatrics)

Scientists prevent cerebral palsy-like brain damage in mice

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Washington University School of Medicine) Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that a protein may help prevent the kind of brain damage that occurs in babies with cerebral palsy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Neurodevelopmental outcomes after laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Obstetrics and Gynecology — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: : A small number (11.1%) of cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with laser therapy are affected with neurologic impairment that manifests during infancy. A strict follow-up of apparently healthy neonates is warranted. PMID: 22015883 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Providing a Primary Care Medical Home for Children and Youth With Cerebral Palsy

PEDIATRICS — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This report reviews the aspects of care specific to cerebral palsy that a medical home should provide beyond the routine health care needed by all children. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

NF‐κB activity in perinatal brain during infectious and hypoxic‐ischemic insults revealed by a reporter mouse

Brain Pathology — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, by using this transgenic reporter mouse in experimental models of perinatal complications, we could assess NF‐κB activity in vivo and subsequently determine the cellular origin in the tissues. (Source: Brain Pathology)

The incidence of dental caries in children and adolescents who have cerebral palsy and are participating in a dental program in Brazil

Special Care in Dentistry — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to describe the incidence of caries among children and adolescents who have cerebral palsy. The authors conducted baseline and follow‐up dental examinations of 118 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in a specialized healthcare unit in São Paulo, Brazil. Family care‐givers completed a questionnaire that provided socioeconomic and behavioral information. The analysis used multivari‐ate Poisson regression models adjusted for age.More than half (52.5%) of the subjects had at least one permanent or deciduous tooth affected by new caries during the longitudinal assessment (2004–2008). The incidence of caries was associated with the baseline prevalence of caries (incidence ratio = 1.92), a higher frequency of sugar intake (IR = 1.56), and havin...

Feeding difficulties in children with cerebral palsy: low‐cost caregiver training in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Child: Care, Health and Development — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions In situations of poverty, compliance is restricted by lack of education, finances and time. Nonetheless, carers with minimal formal education, living in conditions of extreme poverty were able to change feeding practices after a short, low‐cost training intervention, with highly positive consequences. The availability of affordable food supplementation for this population, however, requires urgent attention. (Source: Child: Care, Health and Development)

Profiles of family needs of children and youth with cerebral palsy

Child: Care, Health and Development — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:10:06 +0100

Conclusion Despite heterogeneity among individuals with CP and their families, four profiles of family needs were identified. In total, 51% of families had low needs suggesting that they are effectively managing their children's health conditions while 11% of families had high needs that may require high levels of services and supports. Service providers are encouraged to partner with families, provide anticipatory guidance and co‐ordinate services. (Source: Child: Care, Health and Development)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Shared decision-making with family key * Clinical report identifies interventions most likely to benefit children with cerebral palsy [NEWS AND FEATURES]

AAP News — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: AAP News)

The effects of femoral derotation osteotomy in cerebral palsy: a kinematic and kinetic study.

Hip International — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cimolin V, Piccinini L, Portinaro N, Turconi AC, Albonico S, Crivellini M, Galli M Abstract We attempted to quantify the effects of isolated femoral derotation osteotomies using clinical evaluation and gait analysis (kinematics and kinetics) in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Twelve children with CP were evaluated before and 10 months after isolated femoral derotation osteotomy, and 15 healthy children were evaluated as controls. There were significant improvements on clinical examination. A better position of the hip and ankle in the transverse plane was evident and significant changes occurred in terms of hip and ankle kinetics after surgery. Improvements in kinematics and hip and ankle power are very important biomechanically. The correction of lever arm dysfunction ...

Enzyme Controlling Cell Death Paves Way For Treatment Of Brain Damage In Newborns

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Brain damage due to birth asphyxia - where the brain is starved of oxygen around the time of delivery - is normally treated by cooling the infant, but this only helps one baby in nine. New research from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, could now pave the way for new ways of treating brain damage in newborns. Birth asphyxia can cause irreparable brain damage and lifelong handicaps, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and mental retardation. The brain damage evolves over a time period of hours to days after the injury... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Prediction of outcome at 5 years from assessments at 2 years among extremely preterm children

Acta Paediatrica — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:15:25 +0100

Conclusion: Previous assessments had limited value in predicting cognitive and motor function at 5 years in these extremely preterm children without major impairments. (Source: Acta Paediatrica)

Balance in Relation to Walking Deterioration in Adults With Spastic Bilateral Cerebral Palsy.

Physical Therapy — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:/b>Self-reported walking deterioration in this group could not be explained by differences in balance confidence, fear of falling, or balance ability. Across all participants, most balance problems seemed related to reduced postural responses and anticipatory adjustments. PMID: 22033070 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Behavioural problems in school age children with cerebral palsy.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Behavioural difficulties are common in children with CP and appear not to be associated with socio-demographic variables and physical and cognitive characteristics. These difficulties are an important correlate of parental distress. This study emphasizes the need to recognize and address behavioural difficulties that may arise so as to optimize the health and well-being of children with CP and their families. PMID: 22036311 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology)

Mouse epiSCs Into Myelinating Cells

Neuromics — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:38:00 +0100

This study published recently in Nature Methods hit my radar scope becaused it referenced use of our widely used and frequently published stem cell marker Tuj 1 (Neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin): Fadi J Najm, Anita Zaremba, Andrew V Caprariello, Shreya Nayak, Eric C Freundt, Peter C Scacheri, Robert H Miller & Paul J Tesar. Rapid and robust generation of functional oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from epiblast stem cells. Nature Methods (2011) doi:10.1038/nmeth.1712. Dr. Paul Tesar and his team at Case Western University demonstrated the ability to convert pluripotent epiblast stem cells into pure populations of myelinating cells, called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). First, stem cells in a petri dish are treated with molecules to direct them to become the most primit...

Enzyme Controlling Cell Death Paves Way For Treatment Of Brain Damage In Newborns

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Brain damage due to birth asphyxia where the brain is starved of oxygen around the time of delivery is normally treated by cooling the infant, but this only helps one baby in nine. New research from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, could now pave the way for new ways of treating brain damage in newborns. Birth asphyxia can cause irreparable brain damage and lifelong handicaps, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and mental retardation. The brain damage evolves over a time period of hours to days after the injury... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Odds ratios and adjusting for confounding

BMJ Online First — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Researchers investigated the association of cerebral palsy with birth weight and Apgar score five minutes after birth. A population based cohort study design was used. The cohort consisted of 543 064... (Source: BMJ Online First)

Prediction of outcome at 5 years from assessments at 2 years among extremely preterm children: A Norwegian national cohort study

Acta Paediatrica — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Previous assessments had limited value in predicting cognitive and motor function at 5 years in these extremely preterm children without major impairments. (Source: Acta Paediatrica)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Wearable wrist activity monitor as an indicator of functional hand use in children with cerebral palsy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:25:30 +0100

This study evaluates a wearable wrist monitor and tests the hypothesis that wrist extension frequency (FreqE) is an appropriate indicator of functional hand use.Method Fifteen children (four females, 11 males; age range 6–12y; mean age 10y [SD 2y]) with hemiplegia (seven at level I and eight at level II on the Manual Ability Classification System) participated in the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) while wearing the wrist monitor. FreqEs were captured via the wrist monitor and validated using video analysis. Correlations between FreqE and AHA scores were calculated and a multivariate linear regression was conducted to explore other measures of wrist activity.Results Wrist extensions observed in video analyses were reliably detected by the wrist monitor (intraclass correlation coeff...

Hip joint pain in spastic dislocation: aetiological aspects

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:25:28 +0100

Aim Children with severe forms of cerebral palsy (CP) are at high risk of hip joint displacement. Various studies have found that the pain from affected joints occurs in 40 to 84% of studied individuals. The purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the density of nociceptors localized in selected areas of the spastic dislocated hip joint and clinical evidence of hip joint pain in children with CP.Method Nineteen samples of articular capsule and 19 samples of teres ligaments, collected during open hip joint reduction from 19 non‐ambulatory children with spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System level V; mean age 9y 6mo; 10 males, nine females), were studied. Pain was assessed using the numeric rating scale completed by caregivers. The density of noci...

Characteristics of recurrent musculoskeletal pain in children with cerebral palsy aged 8 to 18 years

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:25:27 +0100

Aim The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence, predictors, severity, and impact of recurrent musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).Method One hundred and fifty‐three participants (81 males, 72 females) aged 8 to 18 years were assessed by clinical examination, interview, and questionnaires. CP type distribution was 38% unilateral spastic, 55% bilateral spastic, 6% dyskinetic, and 1% ataxic. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were as follows: level I, 54; level II, 56; level III, 20; level IV, 8; and level V, 15. Sixty‐four children and 89 parents recorded pain on the Child Health Questionnaire, 56 children and 85 parents indicated impact of pain on 0 to 10 numeric rating scales, and 72 children indicated pa...

Using the Gross Motor Function Classification System to describe patterns of motor severity in cerebral palsy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:25:25 +0100

Aim The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of motor severity levels and temporal trends in an Australian population cohort and to review the distribution of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels across cerebral palsy (CP) registries worldwide.Methods Data were extracted from the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register for 3312 individuals (1852 males, 1460 females; mean age 21y 2mo [SD 9y 6mo]) with non‐postneonatally acquired CP, born between 1970 and 2003. The proportions of each motor severity level were calculated and logistic regression analyses were used to assess trends over time. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken and GMFCS data were extracted based on previously devised criteria. The proportions were plotted and the degree of...