Diagnostic Yield of CSF Testing in Infants for Disorders of Biogenic Amine Neurotransmitter Metabolism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Biochemical testing of CSF for neurotransmitter metabolites and their cofactors is often used in the diagnostic evaluation of infants with neurologic disorders but requires an invasive, labor-intensive procedure with many potential sources of error. Our aim was to determine the diagnostic yield of CSF testing for biogenic amines (serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) and their cofactors in identifying inborn errors of neurotransmitter metabolism among infants. METHODS: We evaluated all infants aged 1 year or younger who underwent CSF biogenic amine neurotransmitter (CSFNT) testing at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) between 2008 and 2017 in this cross-sectional study. The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals who received a diagnostic result from CSFNT testing. Secondary assessments included the proportion of infants who obtained a diagnostic result from other types of diagnostic testing. RESULTS: The cohort included 323 individuals (191 from CHOP and 232 from BCH). The median age at presentation was 110 days (range 36-193). The most common presenting features were seizures (71%), hypotonia (47%), and developmental delay (43%). The diagnostic yield of CSFNT testing was zero. When CSF pyridoxal-5-phosphate level was assayed with CSFNT testing, 1 patient had a diagnostic result. An etiologic diagnosis was identified in 163 patients (50%) of the cohort, with genetic testing having the highest yield (120 individuals, 37%). DISCUSSION: Our findings support the case for deimplementation of CSFNT testing as a standard diagnostic test of etiology in infants aged 1 year or younger presenting with neurologic disorders.

Periodic Discharges in Critically Ill Children: Predictors and Outcome.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify clinical and EEG monitoring characteristics associated with generalized, lateralized, and bilateral-independent periodic discharges (GPDs, LPDs, and BIPDs) and to determine which patterns were associated with outcomes in critically ill children. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of consecutive critically ill children undergoing continuous EEG monitoring, including standardized scoring of GPDs, LPDs, and BIPDs. We identified variables associated with GPDs, LPDs, and BIPDs and assessed whether each pattern was associated with hospital discharge outcomes including the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatric version (GOS-E-Peds), Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC), and mortality. RESULTS: PDs occurred in 7% (91/1,399) of subjects. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that patients with coma (odds ratio [OR], 3.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55, 7.68) and abnormal EEG background category (OR, 6.85; 95% CI: 3.37, 13.94) were at increased risk for GPDs. GPDs were associated with mortality (OR, 3.34; 95% CI: 1.24, 9.02) but not unfavorable GOS-E-Peds (OR, 1.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 4.23) or PCPC (OR, 1.64; 95% CI: 0.75, 3.58). Patients with acute nonstructural encephalopathy did not experience LPDs, and LPDs were not associated with mortality or unfavorable outcomes. BIPDs were associated with mortality (OR, 3.68; 95% CI: 1.14, 11.92), unfavorable GOS-E-Peds (OR, 5.00; 95% CI: 1.39, 18.00), and unfavorable PCPC (OR, 5.96; 95% CI: 1.65, 21.46). SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with coma or more abnormal EEG background category had an increased risk for GPDs and BIPDs, and no patients with an acute nonstructural encephalopathy experienced LPDs. GPDs were associated with mortality and BIPDs were associated with mortality and unfavorable outcomes, but LPDs were not associated with unfavorable outcomes.

Leveraging electronic medical record-embedded standardised electroencephalogram reporting to develop neonatal seizure prediction models: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate prediction of seizures can help to direct resource-intense continuous electroencephalogram (CEEG) monitoring to neonates at high risk of seizures. We aimed to use data from standardised EEG reports to generate seizure prediction models for vulnerable neonates. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included neonates who underwent CEEG during the first 30 days of life at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA, USA). The hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy subgroup included only patients with CEEG data during the first 5 days of life, International Classification of Diseases, revision 10, codes for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, and documented therapeutic hypothermia. In January, 2018, we implemented a novel CEEG reporting system within the electronic medical record (EMR) using common data elements that incorporated standardised terminology. All neonatal CEEG data from Jan 10, 2018, to Feb 15, 2022, were extracted from the EMR using age at the time of CEEG. We developed logistic regression, decision tree, and random forest models of neonatal seizure prediction using EEG features on day 1 to predict seizures on future days. FINDINGS: We evaluated 1117 neonates, including 150 neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, with CEEG data reported using standardised templates between Jan 10, 2018, and Feb 15, 2022. Implementation of a consistent EEG reporting system that documents discrete and standardised EEG variables resulted in more than 95% reporting of key EEG features. Several EEG features were highly correlated, and patients could be clustered on the basis of specific features. However, no simple combination of features adequately predicted seizure risk. We therefore applied computational models to complement clinical identification of neonates at high risk of seizures. Random forest models incorporating background features performed with classification accuracies of up to 90% (95% CI 83-94) for all neonates and 97% (88-99) for neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy; recall (sensitivity) of up to 97% (91-100) for all neonates and 100% (100-100) for neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy; and precision (positive predictive value) of up to 92% (84-96) in the overall cohort and 97% (80-99) in neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. INTERPRETATION: Using data extracted from the standardised EEG report on the first day of CEEG, we predict the presence or absence of neonatal seizures on subsequent days with classification performances of more than 90%. This information, incorporated into routine care, could guide decisions about the necessity of continuing EEG monitoring beyond the first day, thereby improving the allocation of limited CEEG resources. Additionally, this analysis shows the benefits of standardised clinical data collection, which can drive learning health system approaches to personalised CEEG use. FUNDING: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Hartwell Foundation, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Wolfson Foundation.

A single-cell transcriptome atlas of glial diversity in the human hippocampus across the postnatal lifespan.

The molecular diversity of glia in the human hippocampus and their temporal dynamics over the lifespan remain largely unknown. Here, we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing to generate a transcriptome atlas of the human hippocampus across the postnatal lifespan. Detailed analyses of astrocytes, oligodendrocyte lineages, and microglia identified subpopulations with distinct molecular signatures and revealed their association with specific physiological functions, age-dependent changes in abundance, and disease relevance. We further characterized spatiotemporal heterogeneity of GFAP-enriched astrocyte subpopulations in the hippocampal formation using immunohistology. Leveraging glial subpopulation classifications as a reference map, we revealed the diversity of glia differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells and identified dysregulated genes and pathological processes in specific glial subpopulations in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Together, our study significantly extends our understanding of human glial diversity, population dynamics across the postnatal lifespan, and dysregulation in AD and provides a reference atlas for stem-cell-based glial differentiation.

Walking speed influences spatiotemporal but not symmetry measures of gait in children and adolescents with hemiplegia.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of gait is likely influenced by walking speed in children with hemiplegia, but this relationship is not well characterized. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the influence of walking speed on spatiotemporal and symmetry measures of gait in children with hemiplegia, with consideration of side and footwear condition? METHODS: Children with hemiparetic gait due to stroke were recruited for a small pilot intervention study. Participants walked at self-selected and fast speeds while barefoot and while wearing shoes. Data from baseline sessions were included in this analysis. The influence of walking speed on five spatiotemporal gait measures was determined using a generalized estimating equation to calculate the proportion of variability in the gait measures that was explained by walking speed. Differences between sides and footwear conditions, and the relationships between walking speed and two symmetry measures, are also reported. RESULTS: A total of 820 steps were analyzed from ten children (11.2 ± 4.1 years). Walking velocity significantly influenced all spatiotemporal measures of gait. As speed increased, step length increased and all temporal measures decreased, on both paretic and nonparetic sides. Wearing shoes increased step length and stance time for both paretic and nonparetic sides, and slowed step time on the nonparetic side. Regardless of footwear, the paretic side demonstrated slower step and swing times, and faster stance and single support times. We did not observe significant relationships between walking speed and gait symmetry. SIGNIFICANCE: Our observations suggest that walking speed alone influences the spatiotemporal measurement of gait in children with hemiplegia and should be considered in the interpretation of walking function. Yet, controlling for walking speed is often not feasible or not preferred in this population. We offer suggestions for clinicians and researchers who seek to measure gait during overground walking at freely-selected speeds.

Normalizing step-to-step variability to age in children and adolescents with hemiplegia.

BACKGROUND: Children with hemiplegia often demonstrate gait deviations including increased variability and asymmetry. Step-to-step gait variability decreases over childhood and increases in the presence of neurologic dysfunction. Gait variability in children with hemiplegia should therefore be interpreted in reference to age-related norms RESEARCH QUESTION: Does conversion of the enhanced gait variability index (eGVI) to age-normalized z-scores improve interpretation of gait variability in children with hemiplegia? METHODS: Ten children (11.2 +/- 4.1 years) with hemiparetic gait due to stroke were recruited for a small prospective pilot intervention study. Participants walked at self-selected speed over an instrumented walkway while barefeet and while wearing shoes. eGVI values from baseline sessions were calculated and converted to age-normalized z-scores (eGVIz) based on published norms. Differences in gait variability between sides and footwear conditions, and its relationship to walking speed, were examined. RESULTS: There were no differences in raw eGVI or eGVIz between paretic and nonparetic sides (eGVI p = 0.31; eGVIz p = 0.31) or between footwear conditions (eGVI p = 0.62; eGVIz p = 0.33). Average raw eGVI values were just over two standards deviations above the reference mean of 100 (121.2, 122.1, 120.3 for mean (average of both limbs), nonparetic side and paretic side, respectively), indicating significantly greater step-to-step gait variability than in typical gait. However, when converted to age-normalized z-scores (eGVIz), variability deviated less from the normative sample, averaging just over one standard deviation above the reference mean (1.2, 1.3, 1.1 for mean, nonparetic side and paretic side, respectively). We also observed a relationship between eGVIz and walking speed in our sample. SIGNIFICANCE: We suggest that eGVI values in children be converted to z-scores or otherwise age-normalized so as not to inflate the degree of variability reported in clinical pediatric populations. Future work with larger samples will offer greater insight into gait variability in various clinical pediatric populations.

Molecular landscapes of human hippocampal immature neurons across lifespan.

Immature dentate granule cells (imGCs) arising from adult hippocampal neurogenesis contribute to plasticity and unique brain functions in rodents1,2 and are dysregulated in multiple human neurological disorders3-5. Little is known about the molecular characteristics of adult human hippocampal imGCs, and even their existence is under debate1,6-8. Here we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing aided by a validated machine learning-based analytic approach to identify imGCs and quantify their abundance in the human hippocampus at different stages across the lifespan. We identified common molecular hallmarks of human imGCs across the lifespan and observed age-dependent transcriptional dynamics in human imGCs that suggest changes in cellular functionality, niche interactions and disease relevance, that differ from those in mice9. We also found a decreased number of imGCs with altered gene expression in Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we demonstrated the capacity for neurogenesis in the adult human hippocampus with the presence of rare dentate granule cell fate-specific proliferating neural progenitors and with cultured surgical specimens. Together, our findings suggest the presence of a substantial number of imGCs in the adult human hippocampus via low-frequency de novo generation and protracted maturation, and our study reveals their molecular properties across the lifespan and in Alzheimer's disease.

5-Year Activity and Participation Outcomes of the First Successful Pediatric Bilateral Hand Transplantation: A Case Report.

AIMS: Describe the 5-year outcomes of the first successful pediatric bilateral hand transplantation. METHODS: The child underwent quadrimembral amputation at age two and received bilateral hand allografts at age eight. Rehabilitation included biomechanical, neurorehabilitation, and occupational approaches in acute and outpatient settings. Therapist observed outcomes, patient-reported measures, and parent-reported measures were repeated over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Observation assessments revealed functional dexterity skills and modified independence to full independence with self-care activities. The parent reported the child had moderate difficulty with upper extremity functioning 25-, 41-, and 48-months post-transplantation, and mild difficulty at 60-months; the child reported no difficulties in this domain at 41 months. Five years post-transplantation the child reported enjoying many age-appropriate activities, and high-quality peer relations were endorsed by both parent and child. CONCLUSION: The child developed hand movements for daily activities and was completing daily activities with improved efficiency. Health-related quality of life outcomes were favorable.

Periodic and rhythmic patterns in critically ill children: Incidence, interrater agreement, and seizures.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the incidence of periodic and rhythmic patterns (PRP), assess the interrater agreement between electroencephalographers scoring PRP using standardized terminology, and analyze associations between PRP and electrographic seizures (ES) in critically ill children. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of consecutive critically ill children undergoing continuous electroencephalographic monitoring (CEEG). PRP were identified by one electroencephalographer, and then two pediatric electroencephalographers independently scored the first 1-h epoch that contained PRP using standardized terminology. We determined the incidence of PRPs, evaluated interrater agreement between electroencephalographers scoring PRP, and evaluated associations between PRP and ES. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred ninety-nine patients underwent CEEG. ES occurred in 345 (25%) subjects. PRP, ES + PRP, and ictal-interictal continuum (IIC) patterns occurred in 142 (10%), 81 (6%), and 93 (7%) subjects, respectively. The most common PRP were generalized periodic discharges (GPD; 43, 30%), lateralized periodic discharges (LPD; 34, 24%), generalized rhythmic delta activity (GRDA; 34, 24%), bilateral independent periodic discharges (BIPD; 14, 10%), and lateralized rhythmic delta activity (LRDA; 11, 8%). ES risk varied by PRP type (p < .01). ES occurrence was associated with GPD (odds ratio [OR] = 6.35, p < .01), LPD (OR = 10.45, p < .01), BIPD (OR = 6.77, p < .01), and LRDA (OR = 6.58, p < .01). Some modifying features increased the risk of ES for each of those PRP. GRDA was not significantly associated with ES (OR = 1.34, p = .44). Each of the IIC patterns was associated with ES (OR = 6.83-8.81, p < .01). ES and PRP occurred within 6 h (before or after) in 45 (56%) subjects. SIGNIFICANCE: PRP occurred in 10% of critically ill children who underwent CEEG. The most common patterns were GPD, LPD, GRDA, BIPD, and LRDA. The GPD, LPD, BIPD, LRDA, and IIC patterns were associated with ES. GRDA was not associated with ES.

Differential antiseizure medication sensitivity of the Affective Reactivity Index: A randomized controlled trial in new-onset pediatric focal epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Irritability is a adverse effect of many antiseizure medications (ASMs), but there are no validated measures currently available to characterize this behavioral risk. We examined both child and parent/guardian versions of the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI), a validated measure developed for application in adolescent psychiatry, to determine its sensitivity to ASM-related irritability. We hypothesized irritability increases associated with levetiracetam (LEV) but not lamotrigine (LTG) or oxcarbazepine (OXC). METHOD: The ARI was administered to 71 child and parent/guardian pairs randomized to one of three common ASMs (LEV, LTG, OXC) used to treat new-onset focal (localization-related) epilepsy. Subjects were recruited as part of a prospective multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel group design. The ARI was administered at baseline prior to treatment initiation and again at 3 months after ASM initiation. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in ARI ratings for both child and parent/guardian ratings for LEV but not LTG or OXC when assessed 3 months after treatment initiation. When examined on the individual subject level using a criterion of at least a 3-point ARI increase, there was an increase associated with LEV for child ratings but not parent/guardian scores. CONCLUSION: Both child and parent/guardian versions of the ARI appear sensitive to medication-induced irritability associated with LEV on both the group and individual levels. The findings extend the applicability of ARI from characterizing the presence of clinical irritability as a psychiatric diagnostic feature to a more modifiable aspect of behavior change related to medication management and support its use in clinical trial applications.

Magnifying the View of the Hand Changes Its Cortical Representation. A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study.

Changes in the perceived size of a body part using magnifying lenses influence tactile perception and pain. We investigated whether the visual magnification of one's hand also influences the motor system, as indexed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs). In Experiment 1, MEPs were measured while participants gazed at their hand with and without magnification of the hand. MEPs were significantly larger when participants gazed at a magnified image of their hand. In Experiment 2, we demonstrated that this effect is specific to the hand that is visually magnified. TMS of the left motor cortex did not induce an increase of MEPs when participants looked at their magnified left hand. Experiment 3 was performed to determine if magnification altered the topography of the cortical representation of the hand. To that end, a 3 × 5 grid centered on the cortical hot spot (cortical location at which a motor threshold is obtained with the lowest level of stimulation) was overlaid on the participant's MRI image, and all 15 sites in the grid were stimulated with and without magnification of the hand. We confirmed the increase in the MEPs at the hot spot with magnification and demonstrated that MEPs significantly increased with magnification at sites up to 16.5 mm from the cortical hot spot. In Experiment 4, we used paired-pulse TMS to measure short-interval intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation. Magnification was associated with an increase in short-interval intracortical inhibition. These experiments demonstrate that the visual magnification of one's hand induces changes in motor cortex excitability and generates a rapid remapping of the cortical representation of the hand that may, at least in part, be mediated by changes in short-interval intracortical inhibition.

Massive cortical reorganization is reversible following bilateral transplants of the hands: evidence from the first successful bilateral pediatric hand transplant patient.

In this repeated measures case study, we show that sensory deafferentation after limb amputation leads to changes in cortical somatotopic maps which are reversible after restoration of sensory input. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), we observed in a child with bilateral hand transplants large-scale shifts in somatosensory lip cortical representation from anatomic hand area to anatomic face region. After recovery of tactile sensation in the digits, responses to finger stimulation were localized to orthotopic sensory cortex, but with atypical electrophysiologic features (amplitude and frequencies).

Homozygous boricua TBCK mutation causes neurodegeneration and aberrant autophagy.

OBJECTIVE: Autosomal-recessive mutations in TBCK cause intellectual disability of variable severity. Although the physiological function of TBCK remains unclear, loss-of-function mutations are associated with inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Given that mTORC1 signaling is known to regulate autophagy, we hypothesized that TBCK-encephalopathy patients with a neurodegenerative course have defects in autophagic-lysosomal dysfunction. METHODS: Children (n = 8) of Puerto Rican (Boricua) descent affected with homozygous TBCK p.R126X mutations underwent extensive neurological phenotyping and neurophysiological studies. We quantified autophagosome content in TBCK-/- patient-derived fibroblasts by immunostaining and assayed autophagic markers by western assay. Free sialylated oligosaccharide profiles were assayed in patient's urine and fibroblasts. RESULTS: The neurological phenotype of children with TBCK p.R126X mutations, which we call TBCK-encephaloneuronopathy (TBCKE), include congenital hypotonia, progressive motor neuronopathy, leukoencephalopathy, and epilepsy. Systemic features include coarse facies, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis. TBCK-/- fibroblasts in vitro exhibit increased numbers of LC3+ autophagosomes and increased autophagic flux by immunoblots. Free oligosaccharide profiles in fibroblasts and urine of TBCKE patients differ from control fibroblasts and are ameliorated by treatment with the mTORC1 activator leucine. INTERPRETATION: TBCKE is a clinically distinguishable syndrome with progressive central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction, consistently observed in patients with the p.R126X mutation. We provide evidence that inappropriate autophagy in the absence of cellular stressors may play a role in this disorder, and that mTORC1 activation may ameliorate the autophagic-lysosomal system dysfunction. Free oligosaccharide profiles could serve as a novel biomarker for this disorder as well as a tool to evaluate potential therapeutic interventions. Ann Neurol 2018;83:153-165.

Incidence of Recurrence in Posterior Circulation Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke.

Importance: Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (CAIS) affects approximately 1.6 per 100 000 children per year, while stroke recurs in up to 20% of patients at 5 years. Factors determining the risk of recurrence are incompletely understood. Objective: To investigate the incidence of the recurrence of CAIS in the posterior and anterior circulations to determine if the risk differs between the 2 locations. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective analysis of CAIS was conducted among children enrolled in a single-center prospective consecutive cohort at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2015. Children with confirmed CAIS occurring between 29 days and 17.99 years were evaluated for inclusion. Patients were excluded if infarcts were located in both the anterior and posterior distributions or if CAIS occurred as a complication of intracranial surgery or brain tumor. Main Outcomes and Measures: Stroke recurrence. Results: The study population included 107 patients (75 boys [70.1%] and 32 girls [29.9%]; median age at AIS, 7.7 years [interquartile range, 3.1-13.6 years]). Sixty-one children had anterior circulation CAIS (ACAIS) and 46 had posterior circulation CAIS (PCAIS). Median follow-up was 20.9 months (interquartile range, 8.7-40.4 months). For ACAIS, recurrence-free survival was 100% at 1 month and 96% (95% CI, 85%-99%) at 1 and 3 years. For PCAIS, recurrence-free survival was 88% (95% CI, 75%-95%) at 1 month and 81% (95% CI, 66%-90%) at 1 and 3 years. The hazard ratio for recurrence after PCAIS compared with ACAIS was 6.4 (95% CI, 1.4-29.8; P = .02) in univariable analysis and 5.3 (95% CI, 1.1-26.4; P = .04) after adjusting for sex and cervical dissection. Conclusions and Relevance: We identified a subgroup of patients that comprise more than 80% of recurrences of CAIS. Three years after incident stroke, 19% of children with PCAIS had a recurrence compared with 4% of patients with ACAIS. Different mechanisms of stroke may account for this difference. Children with PCAIS may warrant increased monitoring. This study highlights the necessity for further research focused on recurrence prevention.

16p11.2 deletion and duplication: Characterizing neurologic phenotypes in a large clinically ascertained cohort.

Chromosome 16p11.2 deletions and duplications are among the most frequent genetic etiologies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders, but detailed descriptions of their neurologic phenotypes have not yet been completed. We utilized standardized examination and history methods to characterize a neurologic phenotype in 136 carriers of 16p11.2 deletion and 110 carriers of 16p11.2 duplication-the largest cohort to date of uniformly and comprehensively characterized individuals with the same 16p copy number variants (CNVs). The 16p11.2 deletion neurologic phenotype is characterized by highly prevalent speech articulation abnormalities, limb and trunk hypotonia with hyporeflexia, abnormalities of agility, sacral dimples, seizures/epilepsy, large head size/macrocephaly, and Chiari I/cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. Speech articulation abnormalities, hypotonia, abnormal agility, sacral dimples, and seizures/epilepsy are also seen in duplication carriers, along with more prominent hyperreflexia; less, though still prevalent, hyporeflexia; highly prevalent action tremor; small head size/microcephaly; and cerebral white matter/corpus callosum abnormalities and ventricular enlargement. The neurologic phenotypes of these reciprocal 16p11.2 CNVs include both shared and distinct features. Reciprocal phenotypic characteristics of predominant hypo- versus hyperreflexia and macro- versus microcephaly may reflect opposite neurobiological abnormalities with converging effects causing the functional impairments shared between 16p11.2 deletion and duplication carriers (i.e., abnormal motor agility and articulation). While the phenotypes exhibit overlap with other genetically-caused neurodevelopmental disorders, clinicians should be aware of the more striking features-such as the speech and motor impairments, growth abnormalities, tremor, and sacral dimples-when evaluating individuals with developmental delay, intellectual disability, ASD, and/or language disorders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Density spectral array for seizure identification in critically ill children.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the validity and interrater reliability of encephalographer interpretation of color density spectral array EEG for seizure identification was evaluated in critically ill children and explored predictors of accurate seizure identification. METHODS: Conventional EEG tracings from 21 consecutive critically ill children were scored for electrographic seizures. Four 2-hour long segments from each subject were converted to 8-channel color density spectral array displays, yielding 84 images. Eight encephalographers received color density spectral array training and circled elements thought to represent seizures. Images were reviewed in random order (Group A) or with information regarding seizure presence in the initial 30 minutes and with subject images in order (Group B). Sensitivity, specificity, and interrater reliability were calculated. Factors associated with color density spectral array seizure identification were assessed. RESULTS: Seizure prevalence was 43% on conventional EEG. Specificity was significantly higher for Group A than Group B (92.3% vs. 78.2%, P < 0.00). Sensitivity was not significantly different between Groups A and B (64.8% vs. 75%, P = 0.22). Interrater reliability was moderate in both groups. Ten percent of images were falsely classified as containing a seizure. Seizure duration ≥2 minutes predicted identification (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Color density spectral array may be a useful screening tool for seizure identification by encephalographers, but it does not identify all seizures and false positives occur.

Pediatric ICU EEG monitoring: current resources and practice in the United States and Canada.

PURPOSE: To describe current continuous EEG monitoring (cEEG) utilization in critically ill children. METHODS: An online survey of pediatric neurologists from 50 US and 11 Canadian institutions was conducted in August 2011. RESULTS: Responses were received from 58 of 61 (95%) surveyed institutions. Common cEEG indications are altered mental status after a seizure or status epilepticus (97%), altered mental status of unknown etiology (88%), or altered mental status with an acute primary neurologic condition (88%). The median number of patients undergoing cEEG per month per center increased from August 2010 to August 2011 (6 to 10 per month in the United States; 2 to 3 per month in Canada). Few institutions have clinical pathways addressing cEEG use (31%). Physicians most commonly review cEEG twice per day (37%). There is variability regarding which services can order cEEG, the degree of neurology involvement, technologist availability, and whether technologists perform cEEG screening. CONCLUSIONS: Among the surveyed institutions, which included primarily large academic centers, cEEG use in pediatric intensive care units is increasing and is often considered indicated for children with altered mental status at risk for nonconvulsive seizures. However, there remains substantial variability in cEEG access and utilization among institutions.

Headache as a risk factor for neurovascular events in pediatric brain tumor patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether severe recurrent headache is a risk factor for neurovascular events in children who received radiation for brain tumors. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of children with brain tumors who received cranial irradiation at a large tertiary care center, aged 0-21 years at diagnosis, with initial treatment between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 2002, and 2 or more follow-up visits. Patients were considered to have severe recurrent headache if this appeared as a complaint on 2 or more visits. Headaches attributed to tumor progression, shunt malfunction, or infection, or appearing at the end of life, were excluded. Medical records were reviewed for events of stroke or TIA. RESULTS: Of 265 subjects followed for a median of 6.0 years (interquartile range 1.7-9.2 years), stroke or TIA occurred in 7/37 (19%) with severe headaches compared to 6/228 (3%) without these symptoms (hazard ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval 1.8-15.9, p = 0.003). Adjusting for multiple variables did not remove the significance of this risk. Median time to first neurovascular event for the entire cohort was 4.9 years (interquartile range 1.7-5.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Severe recurrent headache appears to be a risk factor or predictor for subsequent cerebral ischemia in pediatric brain tumor survivors treated with radiation. This finding has clinical implications for both monitoring survivors and targeting a specific population for primary stroke prevention.

Cranial irradiation increases risk of stroke in pediatric brain tumor survivors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of neurovascular events as late complications in pediatric patients with brain tumor and to evaluate radiation as a risk factor. METHODS: Patients were ascertained using the tumor database of a pediatric tertiary care center. Included patients had a primary brain tumor, age birth to 21 years, initial treatment January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2002, and at least 2 visits with neuro-oncology. Radiation exposure included: whole brain, whole brain plus a focal boost, or focal brain. The primary outcome was stroke or transient ischemic attack. RESULTS: Of 431 subjects, 14 had 19 events of stroke or transient ischemic attack over a median follow-up of 6.3 years. The incidence rate was 548/100 000 person-years. Overall, 61.5% of subjects received radiation, including 13 of 14 subjects with events. Median time from first radiation to first event was 4.9 years. The stroke/transient ischemic attack hazard ratio for any brain irradiation was 8.0 (95% CI, 1.05-62; P=0.045); for the circle of Willis, radiation was 9.0 (95% CI, 1.2-70; P=0.035); and for focal noncircle of Willis, radiation was 3.4 (95% CI, 0.21-55; P=0.38). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of neurovascular events in this population is 100-fold higher than in the general pediatric population and cranial irradiation is an important risk factor. By defining the incidence of this late effect, physicians are better able to counsel parents regarding treatment, monitor patients at risk, and target a population for primary stroke prevention in future studies.