Effect of levodopa on pathological gait in Dravet syndrome: A randomized crossover trial using three-dimensional gait analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with Dravet syndrome (DS) exhibit progressive gait disturbance. No quantitative studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of medication for gait disturbance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of levodopa for pathological gait in people with DS using three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA). METHODS: Nine individuals with DS, ages 6-20 years, participated in a crossover study of levodopa and were randomly assigned to the levodopa precedence or no levodopa precedence group. Levodopa/carbidopa hydrate was prescribed at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day (body weight <60 kg) or 300 mg/day (body weight ≥60 kg). The medication was taken for 4-6 weeks (4-week washout period). 3DGA was performed three times before the study, with and without levodopa. A mixed-effects model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of levodopa. The primary outcome was the change in the Gait Deviation Index (GDI). In addition, spatiotemporal gait parameters, 6-minute walking distance (6MD), and balance were evaluated. The correlation between the effectiveness of levodopa and age or gait performance before starting levodopa was analyzed. RESULTS: Levodopa improved the GDI by 4.2 points, (p = .029), 6MD by 52 m (p = .002), and balance test result by 4.1 mm (p = .011) in participants with DS. No severe adverse events were observed, with the exception of one participant, who exhibited fever and consequently stopped taking levodopa. Levodopa was more effective in younger participants with a higher baseline gait performance. SIGNIFICANCE: Our randomized crossover trial showed that levodopa has the potential to improve gait disturbance in people with DS.

Body composition and motor function in children born large for gestational age at term.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study compared body composition and motor function between children who were born large for gestational age (LGA) and those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and to investigate the association between gait quality and other variables. METHODS: Body composition was determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Motor functions were assessed using one-leg standing time, timed up-and-go test, five times sit-to-stand test, and three-dimensional gait analysis. We compared the results between two groups. We performed multiple regression analysis to evaluate the association between gait deviation index and variables of LGA, fat mass index, and motor functions (adjusted for age and sex). RESULTS: Children aged 6-12 years who were born LGA at term (n = 23) and those who were born AGA at term (n = 147) were enrolled. The LGA group had a higher fat mass index (2.9 vs. 2.2, p = 0.006) and lower gait deviation index (91.4 vs. 95.4, p = 0.011) than the AGA group. On multiple regression analysis, gait deviation index was associated with being LGA and fat mass index. CONCLUSIONS: In school-aged children who were born LGA, monitoring increased fat mass index and decreased gait deviation index could lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome and reduced gait function. IMPACT: Children aged 6-12 years who were born large for gestational age (LGA) at term showed a higher fat mass index and lower gait deviation index than those who were born appropriate for gestational age at term. No significant differences in balance function or muscle strength were observed between groups. On multiple regression analysis, gait deviation index was associated with being LGA at birth and fat mass index. In school-aged children who were born LGA, monitoring increased fat mass index and decreased gait deviation index could lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome and reduced gait function.

Intrauterine exposure to chorioamnionitis and neuroanatomical alterations at term-equivalent age in preterm infants.

PURPOSE: Infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis (CAM) are at increased risk of developing adverse neurodevelopmental disorders in later life. However, clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies examining brain injuries and neuroanatomical alterations attributed to CAM have yielded inconsistent results. We aimed to determine whether exposure to histological CAM in utero leads to brain injuries and alterations in the neuroanatomy of preterm infants using 3.0- Tesla MRI at term-equivalent age. METHODS: A total of 58 preterm infants born before 34 weeks of gestation at Nagoya University Hospital between 2010 and 2018 were eligible for this study (CAM group, n = 21; non-CAM group, n = 37). Brain injuries and abnormalities were assessed using the Kidokoro Global Brain Abnormality Scoring system. Gray matter, white matter, and subcortical gray matter (thalamus, caudate nucleus, putamen, pallidum, hippocampus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens) volumes were evaluated using segmentation tools (SPM12 and Infant FreeSurfer). RESULTS: The Kidokoro scores for each category and severity in the CAM group were comparable to those observed in the non-CAM group. White matter volume was significantly smaller in the CAM group after adjusting for covariates (postmenstrual age at MRI, infant sex, and gestational age) (p = 0.007), whereas gray matter volume was not significantly different. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed significantly smaller volumes in the bilateral pallidums (right, p = 0.045; left, p = 0.038) and nucleus accumbens (right, p = 0.030; left, p = 0.004) after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants born to mothers with histological CAM showed smaller volumes in white matter, pallidum, and nucleus accumbens at term-equivalent age.

Involvement of brain structures in childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate electroencephalography (EEG)-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings to elucidate the interictal epileptiform discharge (IED)-related functional alterations in deep brain structures and the neocortex in childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (CECTS). METHODS: Ten children with CECTS (median age 8.2 years), referred to our hospital within a year of onset, were eligible for inclusion. They underwent EEG-fMRI recording during sleep. Llongitudinal evaluations, including medical examinations, intelligence tests, and questionnaires about developmental disabilities, were performed. The initial evaluation was performed at the same time as the EEG-fMRI, and the second evaluation was performed over 2 years after the initial evaluation. RESULTS: Three children were unable to maintain sleep during the EEG-fMRI recording, and the remaining seven children were eligible for further assessment. All patients showed unilateral-dominant centrotemporal spikes during scans. One patient had only positive hemodynamic responses, while the others had both positive and negative hemodynamic responses. All patients showed IED-related hemodynamic responses in the bilateral neocortex. For deep brain structures, IED-related hemodynamic responses were observed in the cingulate gyrus (n = 4), basal ganglia (n = 3), thalamus (n = 2), and default mode network (n = 1). Seizure frequencies at the second evaluation were infrequent or absent, and the longitudinal results of intelligence tests and questionnaires were within normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that IEDs affect broad brain areas, including deep brain structures such as the cingulate gyrus, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Deep brain structures may play an important role in the pathophysiology of CECTS.

Risks of ACTH therapy for West syndrome following BCG vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Bacille de Calmette et Guérin (BCG) is a live vaccine for tuberculosis that is administered to all infants in Japan. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for West syndrome (WS) causes immunosuppression and may result in BCG infection after BCG vaccination. We evaluated the safety of ACTH therapy initiated shortly after BCG vaccination. METHODS: We analyzed patients with WS who received ACTH therapy between 2005 and 2018. We evaluated the interval between BCG and ACTH therapy, and the rate of BCG infection during and after ACTH therapy, by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included in the analysis. Twenty-three patients received ACTH therapy prior to BCG vaccination. For the remaining 56 patients, the median interval between BCG vaccination and the start of ACTH therapy (BCG-ACTH interval) was 91.5 (range 14-280) days. The BCG-ACTH interval was shorter in patients with unknown than in those with known etiologies. It was <8 weeks in 13 patients (10 with unknown and 3 with known etiologies). The minimum BCG-ACTH interval was 14 days. Six patients with epileptic spasms received BCG vaccinations because physicians did not recognize their seizures. None of the patients developed BCG infection. CONCLUSION: No patients who received ACTH therapy after BCG, even at an interval of 8 weeks, developed BCG infection. The timing of ACTH therapy initiation should be based on the risk of BCG-related adverse events and the adverse effects of any delay.

Repetitive sleep starts: An important differential diagnosis of infantile spasms.

OBJECTIVE: Repetitive sleep starts (RSS) are clusters of nonepileptic, spasm-like movements occurring during sleep onset. However, their characteristics have yet to be defined. We conducted a clinicoelectroencephalographic study of children with RSS to clarify their detailed characteristics. METHODS: To differentiate starts from epileptic spasms, we recruited children with brief "crescendo-decrescendo" muscle contractions that simultaneously involved the limbs and trunk without electroencephalogram changes, and that fulfilled the following criteria: (1) repeated occurrence (five or more) and (2) manifestation during sleep stage N1-N2. A total of nine children met these criteria. Their clinical information and video-electroencephalogram data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The background conditions observed at onset of RSS were perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (n = 4), West syndrome of unknown etiology (n = 1), and traumatic brain injury (n = 1). The age at onset of RSS, the number of starts in a given RSS cluster, the interval between starts, and the duration of surface electromyogram activity were between 3 and 46 months, 5 and 547, <1 and 60 s, and 0.3 and 5.4 s, respectively. None of the median value of these parameters differed between children with and without corticospinal tract injury. During the median follow-up period of 33 months, RSS disappeared spontaneously in five. CONCLUSION: This is the largest case series of RSS clarifying their clinicoelectroencephalographic characteristics reported to date. To avoid unnecessary antiepileptic therapies, clinicians should be aware of RSS and distinguish it from other disorders involving involuntary movements or seizures, especially epileptic spasms.

Effectiveness of lacosamide in children and young adults previously treated with other sodium channel blockers.

PURPOSE: This multicenter study examined the effectiveness and tolerability of lacosamide (LCM) for children and young adults with epilepsy, particularly in patients who had previously been treated with other sodium channel blockers (SCBs) and the difference in effectiveness and tolerability when using other concomitant SCBs. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the clinical information of patients aged <30 years given LCM to treat epilepsy. The effectiveness and adverse events (AEs) of LCM and the other SCBs were investigated. Factors related to the effectiveness and AEs of LCM, such as the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) tried before LCM and concomitantly used SCBs, were also studied. RESULTS: We enrolled 112 patients (median age = 11 years). One year after starting LCM, 29% of the patients were seizure free, and 50% had a ≥50% seizure reduction. Of the patients, 17% experienced AEs, the most common being somnolence. A ≥50% seizure reduction was observed for LCM in 30% of patients in whom other SCBs had not been effective. Lacosamide produced a ≥50% seizure reduction in 35% of the patients taking one concomitant SCB. By contrast, no patients had ≥50% seizure reduction, and 33% developed AEs, when LCM was administered concomitantly with two SCBs. CONCLUSIONS: Lacosamide was effective in 30% of children and young adults in whom other SCBs had not been effective. The effectiveness of LCM may differ from that of other SCBs, and it is worth trying in patients with epilepsy resistant to other AEDs.

MRI findings in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection retrospectively diagnosed with dried umbilical cord.

PURPOSE: Brain MRI provides important information about suspected congenital CMV infection in neonatally underdiagnosed children. This study aimed to describe MRI findings in children in whom congenital CMV infection was not suspected during the neonatal period and was proven retrospectively. METHODS: We enrolled 31 children referred to the pediatric neurology clinic with neurological symptoms who were proven to have congenital CMV infection based on dried umbilical cord samples. Upon diagnosis, MR and CT images were assessed using the van der Knaap scoring system integrated with additional variables. Two investigators independently assessed all images. RESULTS: The age at diagnosis was < 12 months in 14, 12-24 months in 11, and > 24 months in 6 patients. The initial symptom triggering clinic referral was delayed development in 22, seizure in 5, deafness in 3, and hemiplegia in 1 patient. Of the 31 children, 30 had a white matter (WM) abnormality predominant in the deep WM of the parietal lobe (n = 25). Anterior temporal lesions were observed in 21 children. Cortical lesions were observed in 7 children, suggestive of polymicrogyria. No child had cerebellar or brainstem abnormalities. Brain CT was performed in 22 of 31 children, and 11 showed punctate cerebral calcification in the periventricular and/or deep WM. CONCLUSION: Patients with congenital CMV infection with delayed neurological symptoms show a relatively uniform pattern of parietal-dominant multifocal WM lesions and anterior temporal lesions, with or without polymicrogyria.

Biallelic VPS35L pathogenic variants cause 3C/Ritscher-Schinzel-like syndrome through dysfunction of retriever complex.

BACKGROUND: 3C/Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome is characterised by congenital cranio-cerebello-cardiac dysplasia, where CCDC22 and WASHC5 are accepted as the causative genes. In combination with the retromer or retriever complex, these genes play a role in endosomal membrane protein recycling. We aimed to identify the gene abnormality responsible for the pathogenicity in siblings with a 3C/Ritscher-Schinzel-like syndrome, displaying cranio-cerebello-cardiac dysplasia, coloboma, microphthalmia, chondrodysplasia punctata and complicated skeletal malformation. METHODS: Exome sequencing was performed to identify pathogenic variants. Cellular biological analyses and generation of knockout mice were carried out to elucidate the gene function and pathophysiological significance of the identified variants. RESULTS: We identified compound heterozygous pathogenic variants (c.1097dup; p.Cys366Trpfs*28 and c.2755G>A; p.Ala919Thr) in the VPS35L gene, which encodes a core protein of the retriever complex. The identified missense variant lacked the ability to form the retriever complex, and the frameshift variant induced non-sense-mediated mRNA decay, thereby confirming biallelic loss of function of VPS35L. In addition, VPS35L knockout cells showed decreased autophagic function in nutrient-rich and starvation conditions, as well as following treatment with Torin 1. We also generated Vps35l-/- mice and demonstrated that they were embryonic lethal at an early stage, between E7.5 and E10.5. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that biallelic loss-of-function variants in VPS35L underlies 3C/Ritscher-Schinzel-like syndrome. Furthermore, VPS35L is necessary for autophagic function and essential for early embryonic development. The data presented here provide a new insight into the critical role of the retriever complex in fetal development.

Delta brushes are not just a hallmark of EEG in human preterm infants.

The delta brush, a well-known characteristic waveform of the human preterm electroencephalogram, represents spontaneous electrical activity. Recent experimental animal model evidence suggests that delta brushes are not only spontaneous intrinsic activity but are also evoked by external sensory stimulation or spontaneous movement. They are also likely to reflect the activity of subplate neurons, which play an important role in early brain development and network organization. Here, evidence about delta brushes in human preterm electroencephalogram is provided along with future perspectives.

Pseudo-sawtooth pattern on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe a novel amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) pattern in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and to assess the clinical significance. METHODS: The aEEG traces of infants with HIE who were treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) from 2012 to 2017 were analyzed. A pseudo-sawtooth (PST) pattern was defined as a periodic increase of the upper and/or lower margin of the trace on aEEG without showing seizure activities on conventional EEG (CEEG). RESULTS: Of the 46 infants, 6 (13%) had the PST pattern. The PST pattern appeared following a flat trace or a continuous low-voltage pattern and was followed by a burst-suppression pattern. On CEEG, the PST pattern consists of alternating cycles of low-voltage irregular activities and almost flat tracing. The PST pattern was associated with neuroimaging abnormalities and with various degrees of neurodevelopmental outcomes. Positive predictive values of the PST or worse pattern for adverse outcomes were high at 12 h after birth. CONCLUSION: A novel aEEG background pattern in infants with HIE was reported. The PST pattern likely indicates a suppressed background pattern and may be linked to unfavorable outcomes. Further multicenter validation study is needed to clarify its clinical significance.

Gait characteristics of children with Williams syndrome with impaired visuospatial recognition: a three-dimensional gait analysis study.

Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetically based neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability and impaired visuospatial recognition. The aim of this study was to analyze the gait characteristics of WS children with impaired visuospatial recognition using a three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) to clarify the gait adaptation needed to compensate for it. 3DGA was performed in 8 WS children with impaired visuospatial recognition (mean age, 11.8 years) and 9 age-, sex-, height-, and weight-matched controls. Clinical data, fundamental motor tests, and gait variables while walking on a flat surface and walking up a mat were compared between the two groups, and the correlations between variables were analyzed in the WS children. WS children showed impairment of balance function without muscle weakness. In walking on a flat surface, the WS group showed reduced walking speed, short step length, increased variability of step length, increased knee flexion throughout the stance phase, increased horizontal pelvic range of motion (ROM), and a low Gait Deviation Index and a high Gait Profile Score, which are indices of gait quality. In walking up a mat, the WS group showed further reduced walking speed and decreased sagittal hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion ROM in the swing phase. Impaired balance function was significantly correlated with increased variability of step length and decreased sagittal ankle dorsiflexion ROM in the swing phase. The detailed gait pattern of WS children with impaired visuospatial recognition was presented. These findings show that impaired visuospatial recognition and balance function contribute to gait adaptation.

Evaluation of interobserver variability in application of the new neonatal seizure classification proposed by the ILAE Task Force.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical identification of neonatal seizures (NS) remains challenging. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force on Neonatal Seizures has proposed a new classification of NS, based on the 2017 ILAE seizure classification. One of the key points of this proposed NS classification is that seizure types should be determined by the "predominant" clinical feature. However, when the definition of "predominant" is uncertain, interobserver variability may arise. METHODS: We asked 49 health professionals to classify 21 NS video-electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings using the proposed 9 seizure types. RESULTS: The degree of agreement among participants was low, and agreement was weak among experts in neonatal neurology. Among experts, the rate of agreement was <50% for 2 NS. This disagreement was related to differences in the interpretation of "predominant features." Although interobserver variability was present among users of the new NS classification, the reproducibility of the NS classification was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Education designed to foster consistent application of the standards for NS will be important for reducing interobserver variability and expanding the use of the new NS classification.

Thirteen-Year Outcomes in Very Preterm Children Associated with Diffuse Excessive High Signal Intensity on Neonatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between white matter diffuse excessive high signal intensity (DEHSI) on neonatal magnetic resonance imaging in very preterm infants and neurobehavioral outcomes at the age of 13 years. STUDY DESIGN: Magnetic resonance images of very preterm children (<30 weeks gestational age or <1250 g birth weight) were evaluated at term-equivalent age with DEHSI classified into 5 grades. Additionally, visibility of the posterior periventricular crossroads was assessed. General intelligence, memory, attention, executive function, motor abilities, and behavior were examined in 125 children at age 13 years and related to DEHSI grades using linear regression. RESULTS: DEHSI was detected in 93% of infants; 21% grade 1, 22% grade 2, 32% grade 3, and 18% grade 4. Neurobehavioral outcomes were similar for all DEHSI groups. There was weak evidence that higher DEHSI grades related to higher verbal IQ and attention and that lower DEHSI grades related to better planning ability. Adjustment for gestational age, birth weight standard score, and sex further weakened these effects. Only 12 children had invisible posterior crossroads and showed slightly poorer outcomes at 13 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: There was little evidence that neonatal DEHSI serves as a sensitive biomarker for later impairment. Further investigation on the importance of invisible posterior periventricular crossroads in larger samples is needed.

Hippocampal diffusion abnormality after febrile status epilepticus is related to subsequent epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess hippocampal signal changes on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) during the acute period after febrile status epilepticus (FSE) and to examine the relationship between DWI and subsequent epilepsy. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study of children with a first episode of FSE was performed. The patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 3 days of FSE, and signal intensity was evaluated on DWI. Electroencephalography studies within 3 days of FSE were also assessed. Nine to 13 years after FSE, information on subsequent epilepsy was obtained. RESULTS: Twenty-two children with FSE were evaluated. DWI showed unilateral hippocampal hyperintensity in six patients (27%). Three of six patients with hippocampal hyperintensity had ipsilateral thalamic hyperintensity. On EEG within 3 days of FSE, five of six patients with hippocampal hyperintensity had ipsilateral focal slowing, spikes, or attenuation. Nine to 13 years later, the outcomes could be determined in five patients with hippocampal hyperintensity and in 10 without. All 5 patients with hippocampal hyperintensity had hippocampal atrophy and developed focal epilepsy, whereas only 1 of 10 patients without hippocampal hyperintensity developed epilepsy (P = 0.002). Ictal semiology was concordant with temporal lobe seizures in all patients. Ipsilateral temporal epileptiform abnormalities were seen on EEG in four of five at last follow-up. SIGNIFICANCE: Acute DWI hippocampal hyperintensity was seen in 27% of patients with FSE. Acute DWI hyperintensity suggests cytotoxic edema caused by prolonged seizure activity. Hippocampal DWI hyperintensity is related to mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and can be a target of neuroprotective treatments to prevent the onset of epilepsy.

Comparison of high-dose and low-dose corticosteroid therapy for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is generally a self-limiting disease, but it may become refractory. It is thought that refractory MPP is linked to the excessive immunologic responses of the host. Consequently, the use of adjunctive systemic corticosteroids may have beneficial effects. In this study, we compared the effects of high- and low-dose corticosteroid therapy in a pediatric population with refractory MPP. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 91 pediatric MPP patients treated with adjunctive systemic corticosteroids between April 2014 and October 2016. The patients were divided into the following two groups: high-dose corticosteroid group (2 mg/kg/day or more of prednisolone equivalents; n = 38) and low-dose corticosteroid group (<2 mg/kg/day; n = 53). Additionally, we compared the number of febrile days post-corticosteroid administration. We used 25 paired patients in a propensity score matching analysis to correct for confounding factors both by age and by days (from onset till corticosteroid therapy initiation). RESULTS: We observed that in the high-dose corticosteroid group defervescence following corticosteroid therapy initiation was achieved significantly earlier and length of hospitalization was significantly shorter (0.8 ± 1.0 vs. 1.5 ± 1.4 days and 8.2 ± 2.4 vs. 10.7 ± 2.7 days, respectively). In the propensity score matching, we observed that significant differences in the length of fever following corticosteroid therapy initiation and hospitalization were still present. Further, neither of the groups developed corticosteroid-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients with refractory MPP treated with high-dose corticosteroid could achieve defervescence earlier and have a shorter hospitalization.

Cytotoxic edema at onset in West syndrome of unknown etiology: A longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify longitudinal changes in white matter microstructures from the onset of disease in patients with West syndrome (WS) of unknown etiology. METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was prospectively performed at onset and at 12 and 24 months old in 17 children with WS of unknown etiology. DTI was analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and tract-specific analysis (TSA) of 13 fiber tracts, and fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were compared with those of 42 age-matched controls. Correlations of FA and MD with developmental quotient (DQ) at age 24 months were analyzed. Multiple comparisons were adjusted for using the false discovery rate (q-value). RESULTS: TBSS analysis at onset showed higher FA and lower MD in the corpus callosum and brainstem in patients. TSA showed lower MD in bilateral uncinate fasciculi (UF) (right: q < 0.001; left: q = 0.03) at onset in patients. TBSS showed a negative correlation between FA at onset and DQ in the right frontal lobe, whereas FA at 24 months old exhibited a positive correlation with DQ in the diffuse white matter. MD for bilateral UF at 24 months old on TSA correlated positively with DQ (q = 0.04, both). SIGNIFICANCE: These findings may indicate the existence of cytotoxic edema in the immature white matter and dorsal brainstem at onset, and subsequent alterations in the diffuse white matter in WS of unknown etiology. Microstructural development in the UF might play important roles in cognitive development in WS.

Phenotype-genotype correlations of PIGO deficiency with variable phenotypes from infantile lethality to mild learning difficulties.

Inherited GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol) deficiencies (IGDs), a recently defined group of diseases, show a broad spectrum of symptoms. Hyperphosphatasia mental retardation syndrome, also known as Mabry syndrome, is a type of IGDs. There are at least 26 genes involved in the biosynthesis and transport of GPI-anchored proteins; however, IGDs constitute a rare group of diseases, and correlations between the spectrum of symptoms and affected genes or the type of mutations have not been shown. Here, we report four newly identified and five previously described Japanese families with PIGO (phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis class O) deficiency. We show how the clinical severity of IGDs correlates with flow cytometric analysis of blood, functional analysis using a PIGO-deficient cell line, and the degree of hyperphosphatasia. The flow cytometric analysis and hyperphosphatasia are useful for IGD diagnosis, but the expression level of GPI-anchored proteins and the degree of hyperphosphatasia do not correlate, although functional studies do, with clinical severity. Compared with PIGA (phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis class A) deficiency, PIGO deficiency shows characteristic features, such as Hirschsprung disease, brachytelephalangy, and hyperphosphatasia. This report shows the precise spectrum of symptoms according to the severity of mutations and compares symptoms between different types of IGD.

Primary psoas abscess caused by group A streptococcus in a child: Case report with microbiologic findings.

Primary abscess of the iliopsoas muscle in children is uncommon, especially due to Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus: GAS), which causes a variety of diseases ranging from pharyngitis to invasive life-threatening infection. We present primary iliopsoas abscess in a nine-year-old boy presenting with fever, mild disturbance of consciousness, limp, and pain in the right loin. Magnetic resonance imaging and isolation of GAS from both blood and abscess samples led us to the confirmative diagnosis. The patient recovered after treatment comprising drainage and intravenous antibiotics. The CovRS system is one of the best-characterized systems with two-component signal transduction in the GAS, and mutations in covRS induce overproduction of various virulence factors that play a crucial role in invasive GAS infection. RopB, also known as a GAS regulator, influences the expression of multiple regulatory networks to coregulate virulence factor expression in GAS. In the present case, sequence analysis revealed the isolated GAS as emm type 6 with alterations in covS, whereas the covR and ropB genes were intact. The covS alterations might have influenced the virulence of the strain causing this severe GAS infection.

Seizure characteristics of epilepsy in childhood after acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify characteristics of post-encephalopathic epilepsy (PEE) in children after acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD), paying particular attention to precise diagnosis of seizure types. METHODS: Among 262 children with acute encephalopathy/encephalitis registered in a database of the Tokai Pediatric Neurology Society between 2005 and 2012, 44 were diagnosed with AESD according to the clinical course and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and were included in this study. Medical records were reviewed to investigate clinical data, MRI findings, neurologic outcomes, and presence or absence of PEE. Seizure types of PEE were determined by both clinical observation by pediatric neurologists and ictal video-electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. RESULTS: Of the 44 patients after AESD, 10 (23%) had PEE. The period between the onset of encephalopathy and PEE ranged from 2 to 39 months (median 8.5 months). Cognitive impairment was more severe in patients with PEE than in those without. Biphasic seizures and status epilepticus during the acute phase of encephalopathy did not influence the risk of PEE. The most common seizure type of PEE on clinical observation was focal seizures (n = 5), followed by epileptic spasms (n = 4), myoclonic seizures (n = 3), and tonic seizures (n = 2). In six patients with PEE, seizures were induced by sudden unexpected sounds. Seizure types confirmed by ictal video-EEG recordings were epileptic spasms and focal seizures with frontal onset, and all focal seizures were startle seizures induced by sudden acoustic stimulation. Intractable daily seizures remain in six patients with PEE. SIGNIFICANCE: We demonstrate seizure characteristics of PEE in children after AESD. Epileptic spasms and startle focal seizures are common seizure types. The specific seizure types may be determined by the pattern of diffuse subcortical white matter injury in AESD and age-dependent reorganization of the brain network.