European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2005
Review Case ReportsPancreatitis, complicated by a pancreatic pseudocyst associated with the use of valproic acid.
A 12-year-old boy developed pancreatitis, complicated by a pancreatic pseudocyst, as an adverse reaction to valproic acid (VPA) treatment for epilepsy. Pancreatitis subsided within three weeks after discontinuation of VPA. The pancreatic pseudocyst was managed without surgery and resolved spontaneously in four weeks. ⋯ All patients recovered. Patients using VPA, especially children, presenting with acute abdominal pain should be suspected of valproic acid-induced pancreatitis. If VPA induced pancreatitis is complicated by a pseudocyst, conservative treatment should be the first line of treatment.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudySodium Valproate versus Propranolol in paediatric migraine prophylaxis.
In a randomized clinical trial the effect of Sodium Valproate in pediatric migraine prophylaxis was compared with that of Propranolol. One hundred and twenty patients with common migraine (migraine without aura) aged from 3 to 15 years who met the defined criteria enrolled into the study. Randomly the patients were divided in two groups of A and B, treating with sodium Valproate and Propranolol, respectively. ⋯ Seventy two percent of patients in group A and 69% of patients in group B have responded to Sodium Valproate and Propranolol, respectively, as a reduction of more than 50% in headache frequency per month. Further more both drugs have shown efficacy in reducing the severity and duration of headache and also better response to rescue medications (p value <0.01). There was no significant difference in all previously mentioned therapeutic effects between two groups (p value <0.05).
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2004
Case ReportsArterial infarction caused by carotid artery dissection in the neonate.
Arterial stroke in a neonate caused by carotid artery dissection is rare. We report two cases, one with dissection at the level of the skull base, one just distal to the carotid bulb. Non-invasive techniques like MR angiography and sonography demonstrated the dissection accurately. ⋯ In one case dissection could be suspected following vacuum and forceps extraction. In the other no obvious birth trauma was reported. In conclusion, in a neonate with clinical signs suggestive of cerebral infarction, dissection of the carotid artery should be considered.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2004
Case ReportsA severe case of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) with some uncommon clinical features and a short 4q35 fragment.
Severe and early facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is relatively rare. In this report, we describe a case of severe, infantile onset FSHD in a patient with asymmetric progressive ptosis and early hyperlordosis. DNA analysis revealed a very short 4q35 allele of 8.6 kb and a somatic mosaicism for the 4q35 deletion detected in a subclinically affected parent of the patient. This case demonstrates difficulties in the management of abnormal posture, especially early hyperlordosis in children with this disorder.
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2003
ReviewOrnithine transcarbamylase deficiency: a urea cycle defect.
The symptoms and signs of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency are discussed. When the condition occurs among males in the neonatal period it is likely to be lethal. Pathological findings are non-specific. ⋯ Treatment can be given with a low protein diet, and with alternate pathway drugs such as sodium benzoate and phenylbutyrate. Liver transplant can be considered when symptoms are life-threatening, although there may be severe complications. Gene replacement therapy is the hope of the future.