ABSTRACT
Background: Visual perception skill related problems are important in poor academic performance in learning disability (LD) children. Visual perception skill often not tested in LD children. The objective of the study is to explore visual perception skill pattern among children with learning disorder.Methods: Retrospective observational study was conducted at LD clinic of tertiary hospital. Children diagnosed with learning disorder were includes. Visual perception data were collected using predefined standard questionnaire of third edition total visual perception score (TVPS-3). Trained medical professional collected the details.Results: Total 103 children diagnosed with LD were evaluated for TVPS-3. Majority of the children had all three learning disorders-dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. 58.42% children had co-morbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. From the 7 subtests of the TVPS visual discrimination, visual memory, form constancy and visual figure - ground affected more in boys and also in lower age children.Conclusions: Assessment of visual perception skill in children with learning disorder is crucial. Visual perception rehabilitation with other management of LD can benefit the overall functionality of these children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Information on the profile of infants with West syndrome in developing countries is limited. This study was done to determine clinico-etiological profile and clinical response of infantile spasms to various medications in children with west syndrome in a developing country.Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study from January 2017-january 2020 done in a tertiary care hospital in western India. Records of 39 children with west syndrome who visited this pediatric neurology division during study period were analysed. 6 were excluded in view of incomplete data. Detailed history, examination, investigations and medications given were noted. Follow up records were assessed to look for long term control of spasms, relapse rates after cessation, or progression to other seizure types.Results: Mean age at onset of infantile spasms was found to be 8.12 months (1 - 36 months).' Mean lag time to treatment was 5.35 months. Etiology was found in 69.7% children with perinatal causes being most common. With oral prednisolone, 54.5% had complete cessation of spasms, and with ACTH also 54.5% had complete spasm cessation. Favourable clinical response at 6 months follow up was found in 8 (47.05%) of the 17 children. Surprisingly, lag time (p=0.381) and symptomatic etiology (p=1.00) did not have any significant impact on outcome.Conclusions: This study highlights the developing country perspective of west syndrome. Increased lag time, different etiological profile and poor outcome are the challenges. High dose prednisolone is a good first line alternative treatment option in resource poor settings.
ABSTRACT
Background: The global prevalence of developmental delay in children is reported as 1-3% according to WHO. Early diagnosis and intervention improve the quality of life in disabled children. There is need for screening tool. So, study was started to evaluate the ability of the online screening tool in detecting the developmental delay in the Indian children.Methods: After IRB approval, around 30 children after parental consent of either gender aged 4 months to 5 years attending the immunization outpatient department were involved in the study After a detailed history, children were screened with online screening tool 'Track and Act'. Due to the logistic reasons among them 30 were assessed in detail using Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII) which is used as gold standard in this study.Results: Study showed high sensitivity and specificity for all the four domains of the tool. It showed sensitivity and specificity in physical of 83.3% and 91.6%, in language 66.6% and 87.5%, in cognitive 66.6% and 91.6% and in socio-emotional domain 83.3% and 91.6 % respectively.Conclusions: Track and Act screening tool has good test characteristics for detecting developmental delay among Indian children and it can be used for office practice for screening children.
ABSTRACT
Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the MECP2 gene on the X chromosome. It classically presents with neuroregression, loss of purposeful hand use, stereotypical involuntary hand wringing movements, an ataxic gait and acquired microcephaly with a large proportion of patients developing seizures. The authors present the case of a 3.5 year old girl with severe global developmental delay and regression, loss of purposeful hand use and an ataxic gait for 2 years and seizures since 5 days along with microcephaly with involuntary hand movements but no classic wringing movements with no significant findings on MRI and EEG and diagnosed with Rett Syndrome on the basis of genetic testing.