1,721,143 research outputs found
Children and Coronavirus Infection (Covid-19): What to Tell Children to Avoid Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Get PDFPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that
can develop in subjects who have been or have witnessed a
traumatic, catastrophic or violent event, or who have become
aware of a traumatic experience that happened to a loved one.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) usually begins immediately
after the traumatic event and lasts from three days to a month,
while Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be the
continuation of an acute stress disorder and it may happen that
it does not develop until 6 months after the event itself.
Generally most people overcome the shock that a blatant event
can cause without the need for additional support. In a
percentage of cases, the victim's suffering can be prolonged for
more than a month after exposure to trauma and significantly
interfere with the individual's working, social or school life; in
this case the diagnosis of PTSD must be made
Autism spectrum disorders in children affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
No full textObjective
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular condition that has a high rate of cognitive and learning disabilities as well as neurobehavioral disorders, some of which have ben associated with disruption of dystrophin isoforms. Recent studies have pointed to an increased risk for intellectual disability and autism among affected males.The aim of the present study was to describe a case series of children with DMD that have also the presence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). they have been assessed by means of standardized autism scales and the monst appropriate psycho-educational treatment is herein discussed.
Methods and Results
In order to evaluate and identify the presence and intensity of autistic symptoms have been used the childhood autism rating Scale and autism diagnostic Observation Schedule tools. Moreover, in order to assess the intelligence of subjects and their lower limb function, Wisch-r intelligence scale and Vignos function scale were used, respectively.
Atypical behaviors included a preference for being alone, and selective interest in privileged objects used in a stereotyped manner, motor fretting, and attention instability were present in all children. By the administration of these scales was confirmed the presence of ADSs in all subjects.
Conclusion
It is important for clinical practice to consider this association increased
Neurodevelopmental Pathways: Between Pathologisation and Neurodiversity
Get PDFAccurate identification of children’s pathogenic neuropsychological developmental trajectories or, on the contrary, of children’s typical developmental trajectories is one of the main objectives of developmental psychopathology [...
Use and Abuse of Digital Devices: Influencing Factors of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology
Get PDFThe impact of technology on human life is significant, touching various aspects such as communication, economy, education, medicine, industry, and even ecosystems [...]
Minor Neurological Dysfunctions (MNDs) in Autistic Children without Intellectual Disability
Get PDFBackground: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require neurological evaluation to detect sensory-motor impairment. This will improve understanding of brain function in children with ASD, in terms of minor neurological dysfunctions (MNDs). Methods: We compared 32 ASD children without intellectual disability (IQ ≥ 70) with 32 healthy controls. A standardized and age-specific neurological examination according to Touwen was used to detect the presence of MNDs. Particular attention was paid to severity and type of MNDs. Results: Children with ASD had significantly higher rates of MNDs compared to controls (96.9% versus 15.6%): 81.3% had simple MNDs (p < 0.0001) and 15.6% had complex MNDs (p = 0.053). The prevalence of MNDs in the ASD group was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than controls. With respect to specific types of MNDs, children with ASD showed a wide range of fine manipulative disability, sensory deficits and choreiform dyskinesia. We also found an excess of associated movements and anomalies in coordination and balance. Conclusions: Results replicate previous findings which found delays in sensory-motor behavior in ASD pointing towards a role for prenatal, natal and neonatal risk factors in the neurodevelopmental theory of autism
The Complex Association between Sleep Quality, Psychological Wellbeing, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Childhood
Get PDF: During child development, the psychophysiological state is influenced by factors such as family routine, school experiences, stressful life events, or, in general, the environmental context in which the child grows up [...]
Visuomotor integration skills in children affected by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A case-control study
No full textIntroduction: Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) consist of frequent and repetitive episodes of pharyngeal obstruction during sleep, with consequent intermittent hypoxia, sleep architecture fragmentation, daytime sleepiness and/or behavioural problems and executive impairment in children. When untreated, SRBD and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) mainly, may impact school performance, cognition, metabolism, and cardiovascular function. Aim of the present study is assessing the visuomotor integration skills in children affected by OSA. Materials and methods: 57 subjects affected by mild-to severe OSA, PSG diagnosed according to international diagnostic criteria, (31 males and 26 females) (mean age 10.8; SD ± 2.49) and 83 healthy children (45 males and 38 females) (mean age 9.95; SD ± 1.87; p = 0.725). All subjects underwent assessment of motor coordination skills with Movement-ABC tests and visual-motor integration ability with Visual Motor Integration (VMI) test. Results: The subjects with OSA show a worse average performances in all items of Movement ABC (p < 0.001) respect of controls. Specifically, children with OSAS show significantly higher values of total points (p < 0.001), manual dexterity (p < 0.001), ball skills (p < 0.001) and balance (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the average centile in OSA children at the MABC-test is significantly reduced compared with controls (p < 0.001). (Table 1) On the other hand, the VMI test evaluation among children with OSAS shows worst result in total Visuo-Motor Integration (p < 0.001), and in Motor Coordination sub-item (p < 0.001) than controls. (Table 1). Conclusion: Our results also support for children and adolescents the hypothesis that executive functioning deficits might be linked primarily to the degree of severity nocturnal hypoxemia rather than daytime sleepiness, although several other studies are needed
Telecoaching: a potential new training model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients: a systematic review
Get PDFIntroduction: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is an inherited neuropathy that affects the sensory and motor nerves. It can be considered the most common neuromuscular disease, with a prevalence of 1/2500. Methods: Considering the absence of a specific medical treatment and the benefits shown by physical activity in this population, a systematic review was completed using several search engines (Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) to analyze the use, effectiveness, and safety of a training program performed in telecoaching (TC). TC is a new training mode that uses mobile devices and digital technology to ensure remote access to training. Results: Of the 382 studies identified, only 7 met the inclusion criteria. The effects of a TC training program included improvements in strength, cardiovascular ability, and functional abilities, as well as gait and fatigue. However, the quality of the studies was moderate, the size of the participants in each study was small, and the outcome measured was partial. Discussion: Although many studies have identified statistically significant changes following the administration of the TC training protocol, further studies are needed, with appropriate study power, better quality, and a higher sample size
A new association between Kleefstra syndrome and Panayiotopoulos epilepsy
Get PDFBackground: Kleefstra syndrome is a rare genetic disorder attributed to loss of function of EHMT1, either due to a point mutation or a microdeletion in the chromosome region 9q34.3. This gene encodes an enzyme that modifies histone function and is essential for normal development. Individuals with Kleefstra syndrome typically present intellectual disability (from moderate to severe), language delay, autism spectrum disorders, generalized hypotonia, and distinctive facial dysmorphic features. Additional manifestations in children may include cardiac defects, renal and urological malformations, genital anomalies, respiratory infections, epilepsy (including febrile seizures), and psychiatric disorders. Panayiotopoulos syndrome is a specific type of epilepsy, usually presenting in early to mid-childhood with benign focal seizures. These seizures are characterized by primarily autonomic symptoms, abnormal EEG findings showing shifts or multiple seizure foci (often located in occipital lobe), and other autonomic manifestations such as pallor, redness or cyanosis, mydriasis or miosis, heart and breathing problems, thermoregulatory changes, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, hypersalivation, and altered gut motility. Case presentation: We present the case of a child with Kleefstra syndrome and Panayiotopoulos epilepsy. The patient is a 12-year-old male born from a full-term pregnancy to non-consanguineous healthy parents with a family history of neurodevelopmental disorders. At birth, he presented dysmorphic facial features including receding forehead, low-set ears and lingual protrusion. From 6 months of age, he manifested predominantly axial and lower limb hypotonia, associated with a delay in acquiring psychomotor developmental milestones. Genetic counseling was requested, and array-CGH was then performed. Molecular analysis detected a 9q34.3 microdeletion which included the EHMT1 gene, leading to Kleefstra syndrome diagnosis. From the age of 6 years, he began experiencing seizures with features typical of Panayiotopoulos epilepsy and started treatment with valproic acid. Conclusions: We highlight the association between Panayiotopoulos epilepsy and Kleefstra syndrome, which has not been previously reported in the literature. Although this kind of epilepsy is quite frequent in pediatric age and the possibility of a casual co-occurrence should be considered, however in Kleefstra syndrome patients carrying 9q34.3 microdeletion a potential additional role of genetic (besides EHMT1) and epigenetic factors in developing seizures cannot be excluded. The present data expand the genomic and phenotypical features of the syndrome, providing new insights about research, which are useful to achieve genotype/phenotype correlations and better management of affected subjects
Memory performances and personality traits in mothers of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Get PDFBackground: Chronic diseases in pediatric age have been identified as stressful risk factors
for parents. Studies on caregivers have documented the impact of chronic parenting stress on
emotion and cognition.
Aim: To investigate the differences between a group of mothers of children affected by
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) for at least 4 years and a group of mothers of
typically developing children (TDC) in relation to parental stress, self-esteem, locus of
control, and memory performances.
Methods: A group of 86 mothers (mean age 35.6±4.9, ranged between 32 and 41 years) of
children with OSAS diagnosis, and a group of 52 mothers of TDC (mean age 35.9±4.2,
ranged between 32 and 41 years) participated in the study. All participants were administered
stress level, global self-esteem, internal/external locus of control scales, and memory
assessment.
Results: Mothers of OSAS children, compared to mothers of TDC, had a significantly
higher level of stress, lower self-esteem, more external locus of control and poorer memory
performance.
Conclusions: The child respiratory disease, with its sudden and unpredictable features,
appeared as a significant source of stress for the mother. Such stress condition may have an
impact on mothers’ personality traits (self-esteem, locus of control) and on their memory
performances. The data have suggested a need for psychological support programs for
mothers to better manage stress associated with children’s respiratory disease
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