Brain & development
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Brain & development · Aug 2008
Review Meta AnalysisFactors associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with congenital heart disease.
To review reported neurodevelopmental outcome data for patients with congenital heart disease, identify risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental sequelae and summarize potential neuromonitoring strategies that have been described. ⋯ As advances in the medical and surgical management improves survival in patients with CHD, increasing knowledge about neurodevelopmental outcomes and the factors that affect them will provide for strategies to optimize long-term outcome in this high-risk population.
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Brain & development · Aug 2008
Clinical TrialUse of clonidine in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit sleep and behavioral disorders. Treatment of sleep disorders can be difficult in these children. Clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been shown to be effective in reducing impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, as well as in serving as a sedative for medial procedures. ⋯ Clonidine was effective in reducing sleep initiation latency and night awakening, to a less degree in improving attention deficits hyperactivity, mood instability and aggressiveness in this cohort of 19 children with ASD. The side effects were largely tolerable. Further evaluation with placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial of clonidine use in ASD will provide more insight into the clinical efficacy and safety of the medicine in ASD.