Developmental medicine and child neurology
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Dev Med Child Neurol · Jul 2009
Movement disorders associated with complex regional pain syndrome in children.
The aim of the present study was to review the history, clinical course, treatment, and outcome of movement disorders in children and young people with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Case notes were reviewed retrospectively of children and young people who presented with movement disorders in CRPS to our tertiary paediatric pain service over a period of 13 years. Ten children with CRPS presented with movement disorders (eight females, two males). ⋯ Four children showed no improvement. Movement disorders in CRPS are under-recognized in children. The management has to be multidisciplinary with an expertise in paediatric pain.
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Dev Med Child Neurol · Jun 2009
Comparative StudyMultiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis diagnosed in children after long-term follow-up: comparison of presenting features.
The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the first demyelinating event between acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Children with acute demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and an abnormal brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) were studied. Patients were assigned a final diagnosis after long-term follow-up. ⋯ None of the patients with MS had encephalopathy while encephalopathy was present in 42% of patients with ADEM. Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands, an elevated immunoglobulin and the periventricular perpendicular ovoid lesions correlated with MS outcome. Several clinical characteristics differ between ADEM and MS at first presentation; encephalopathy, when present, strongly suggests the diagnosis of ADEM.
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Dev Med Child Neurol · May 2009
Meta AnalysisExogenous melatonin for sleep problems in individuals with intellectual disability: a meta-analysis.
Recent meta-analyses on melatonin has raised doubts as to whether melatonin is effective in treating sleep problems in people without intellectual disabilities. This is in contrast to results of several trials on melatonin in treating sleep problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities. To investigate the efficacy of melatonin in treating sleep problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities, we performed a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials of melatonin in individuals with intellectual disabilities and sleep problems. ⋯ Quality of trials was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. Nine studies (including a total of 183 individuals with intellectual disabilities) showed that melatonin treatment decreased sleep latency by a mean of 34 minutes (p<0.001), increased total sleep time by a mean of 50 minutes (p<0.001), and significantly decreased the number of wakes per night (p<0.05). Melatonin decreases sleep latency and number of wakes per night, and increases total sleep time in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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Impaired airway clearance leads to recurrent chest infections and respiratory deterioration in neuromuscular weakness. It is frequently the cause of death. Cough is the major mechanism of airway clearance. ⋯ Physiotherapists are invaluable in assisting airway clearance, and in teaching patients and their families how to use these techniques. Use of the mechanical insufflator-exsufflator has gained popularity in recent times, but several simpler, more economical methods are available to assist airway clearance that can be used effectively alone or in combination. This review examines the literature available on the assessment and management of impaired airway clearance in neuromuscular weakness.