Predicting the developmental outcomes of very premature infants via ultrasound classification: A CONSORT - clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of ultrasonic grading in determining brain injury in very premature infants and analyze the affecting factors of these neonatal morbidity and mortality, and to investigate the relationship between serial cranial ultrasound (cUS) classification and Mental Developmental Index (MDI)/Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) in premature infants. METHODS: A total of 129 very preterm infants (Gestational Age ≤ 28 weeks) were subjected to serial cUS until 6 months or older and classified into 3 degrees in accordance with classification standards. The MDI and PDI (Bayley test) of the infants were measured until the infants reached the age of 24 months or older. The consistency between Term Equivalent Age (TEA)-cUS and TEA- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was calculated. Ordinal regression was performed to analyze the relationship among severe disease, early cUS classifications, psychomotor and mental development, and death. Operating characteristic curve were used to analyze the relationship between serial cUS grades and MDI/PDI scores. RESULTS: The mortality and survival rates of 129 very preterm infants were 32.8% and 67.3%, respectively. Among the 86 surviving infants, 20.9% developed mild cerebral palsy (CP) and 5.8% to 6.9% developed severe CP. The consistency between TEA-cUS and TEA-MRI was 88%. Grades 2 and 3 at first ultrasound were associated with adverse mental (OR = 3.2, OR = 3.78) and motor (OR = 2.25, OR = 2.59) development. cUS classification demonstrated high sensitivity (79%-96%). Among all cUS classifications, the specificity of the first cUS was the lowest and that of TEA-cUS was the highest (57% for PDI and 48% for MDI). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate and severe brain injury at first ultrasound is the most important factor affecting the survival rate and brain development of very premature infants. The cUS classification had high sensitivity and high specificity for the prediction of CP, especially in TEA-cUS.

Gait Disorder among Elderly People, Psychomotor Disadaptation Syndrome: Post-Fall Syndrome, Risk Factors and Follow-Up - A Cohort Study of 70 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Falls among older people are a major health issue and the first cause of accidental death after 75 years of age. Post-fall syndrome (PFS) is commonly known and yet poorly studied. OBJECTIVE: Identify risk factors for PFS and do a follow-up 1 year later. METHODS: We included all patients over 70 years of age hospitalized after suffering a fall in a case-control study, and then followed them in a cohort study. PFS was retained in case of functional mobility decline (transferring, walking) occurring following a fall in the absence of an acute neurological, orthopedic or rheumatic pathology directly responsible for the decline. The data initially collected were: clinical (anamnestic, emergency and departmental/ward evolution, medical history, lifestyle, treatments, clinical examination items); and imaging if the patient had been subjected to brain imaging in the last 3 years prior to inclusion. Regarding the follow-up at 1 year, we collected from the general physician the occurrence and the characteristics of new falls, functional mobility assessment, hospitalization and death. RESULTS: Inclusion took place from March 29, 2016 to June 7, 2016 and follow-up until June 30, 2017. We included 70 patients. A total of 29 patients exhibited a PFS (41.4 %). Risk factors for PFS included age, walking disorder prior to the fall, the use of a walking aid prior to the fall, no unaccompanied outdoor walk in the week before the fall, visual impairment making close reading impossible, stiffness in ankle dorsiflexion, grip strength and the fear of falling. Among patients with PFS, 52.9% could still perform a transfer at 1 year and 64.7% could still walk against 80.7% and 85.2%, respectively, for patients without PFS. CONCLUSION: The study showed the existence of body functions/structure impairments and activity limitations prior to the fall among patients exhibiting a PFS. This suggests the existence of a pre-fall syndrome, i.e., a psychomotor disadaptation syndrome existing prior to the fall. Among the 8 risk factors, fear of falling, vision impairment and muscle strength could be targeted for improvement. The diagnosis of PFS could be a marker of loss of functional mobility at 1 year.

Signs of altered psychomotor capacity and use of alcohol and other drugs among nightclub patrons who drive in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of signs of altered psychomotor capacity (SAPC) associated with the violation of the dry law at the exits of nightclubs in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.Methods: Data from drivers participating in the Balada com Ciência project were used. Alcohol dosages were measured with breathalyzer test. The use of other drugs was obtained by interviewees' self-report. SAPC (speech, walking, glazed eyes, and alcohol odor) were verified by the interviewers at the time of the interview and categorized as "no sign" or "at least one sign". All measurements were evaluated at the exit of the nightclubs. The population description considered the sample weighting. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between the occurrence of SAPC, alcohol and other drugs use, controlling for sociodemographic variables.Results: At nightclubs, the SAPC among drivers are about 8 times higher when the breath alcohol concentration is above 0.05 mg/L if compared with those who did not drink alcohol, and about 30 times higher when the alcohol concentration was ≥ 0.34 mg/L in exhaled air. This finding is not generally verified in the literature for those who report the use of drugs inside nightclubs, which is interesting, since 20.4% of the interviewed population reported using drugs in the places surveyed.Conclusion: This study suggests the potential of using the Perham (2007) physical test for alcohol intoxication in sobriety checkpoints at the exit of nightclubs. However, the verification of these signs is not enough for the identification of drug use by drivers.

[Neurological sequelae in patients with congenital cytomegalovirus]. / Secuelas neurológicas en pacientes con infección congénita por citomegalovirus.

INTRODUCTION: The infection due to cytomegalovirus is the most common congenital infection in developed countries, and on of the main causes of psychomotor impairment and neurosensory hearing loss of infectious origin. The present study has its objectives to describe the clinical-analytical and neuroimaging of patients with secondary neurological sequelae secondary to the congenital cytomegalovirus infection and then compare them with the group of patients with a congenital cytomegalovirus infection that did not have neurological symptoms during their follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, cohort study was conducted that included all the cases of congenital cytomegalovirus infection from 2003 until 2018 and the short-medium term neurological sequelae were evaluated. Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal data of patients with neurological sequelae were compared against those that did not present with any. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients with congenital cytomegalovirus infection were recorded during the study period, with 65% having neurological involvement during their follow-up period (62.2% with psychomotor impairment, 61.5% with microcephaly, 46.2% loss of hearing, 27.8% motor disorders, 20.5% epilepsy, and 5.6% with chorioretinitis). In the patient group that had sequelae, the presence of clinical symptoms during the neonatal period, as well as changes in the neuroimaging study, were the most common, with both being statistically significant compared to the asymptomatic group. The patients with neurological involvement also had a higher score on the Noyola et al. neuroimaging scale. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms at birth, and certain findings in the neuroimaging, like the changes in the white matter or neuronal migration disorders, could predict neurocognitive sequelae in patients with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Hypothalamic hamartomas in adulthood: Clinical spectrum and treatment outcome-A unicenter experience.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical manifestations of the hypothalamic hamartoma-epilepsy syndrome (HH-ES) in adulthood are variable. Efficacy of therapeutic options and outcome are diverse. METHODS: Retrospective study of adult patients diagnosed with a HH in magnetic resonance imaging and epilepsy who attended our tertiary Epilepsy Unit between 2003 and 2018. We report the clinical and electroencephalographic features of a series of adult patients with HH and related epilepsy seen in our center together with the treatments and seizure outcome. RESULTS: We describe a series of eight patients. Five males (62.5%), median age at evaluation was 28.5 years (IQR: 15.5). Clinical manifestations included focal with preserved and impaired awareness emotional seizures (gelastic seizures [GS]) in six patients (75%), focal tonic, atonic with impaired awareness and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. Mild GS were the only symptom in one patient. Three patients (37.5%) had endocrinological disturbances such as obesity and hypothyroidism. Fifty percent of the patients showed psychiatric comorbidity such as anxiety disorder and aggressiveness, and two patients had psychomotor delay. Seven patients (87.7%) had drug-resistant seizures and three of them were treated with radiosurgery. Out of the treated group, only one (33.3%) became seizure-free 2 years after surgery but developed psychiatric problems. The other two patients had an Engel IV outcome and received a vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) implant. VNS did not lead to changes either in intensity nor in seizure frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothalamic hamartoma-epilepsy syndrome clinical manifestations in adult patients are as variable as at pediatric age. Outcome of therapeutic options such as radiosurgery or VNS may be poorer at this stage.

Association of perinatal factors of epilepsy in very low birth weight infants, using a nationwide database in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) who had developed epilepsy by age 3 years. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter cohort study using the Neonatal Research Network of Japan database. We analyzed clinical variables of 8431 VLBWIs who had recorded data of neurological sequelae at age 3 years. Logistic regression identified the association between variables and development of epilepsy. RESULT: One hundred and forty-three (1.7%) infants developed epilepsy, 683 (8.1%) showed cerebral palsy (CP), and 1114 (13.2%) had psychomotor delay. Epilepsy was associated with history of sepsis [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.23], severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH; AOR 5.13), and cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL; AOR 12.7). Severe IVH and cystic PVL were also frequently associated with CP and psychomotor delay. CONCLUSION: Severe IVH and cystic PVL are strongly associated with development of epilepsy, as well as other neurological sequelae, and are potential critical therapeutic targets.

[Psychomotor development and cortisol salivary levels in infants that live with their inmate mothers]. / Desarrollo psicomotor y cortisol salival en niños que viven juntos a sus madres privadas de libertad.

INTRODUCTION: In Chile, the prison system has a program that allows inmate mothers to live with their children un der two years of age. This could imply that these children are more exposed to stress conditions and a higher psychomotor developmental delay (PDD) risk. OBJECTIVE: To compare the PDD and salivary cortisol concentrations (SCC) of children living in prison with their mothers and to compare the results with control children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study in 42 infants, 12 of them are children of inmate mothers in the penitentiary center (CPF) of Santiago, and 30 controls from a Primary Care Family Health Center (CESFAM). PDD of infants was assessed through the ASQ-3 questionnaire and salivary cortisol was measured in infants and mothers using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The median salivary cortisol level of the children of CPF and CESFAM mothers was 2.3 ng/ ml (IQR 1.1 to 2.7) and 2.1 ng/ml (IQR 1.6 to 2, 9) respectively. Maternal cortisol was 4.6 ng/ml (IQR 3.8 to 7.3) in the CPF and 3.7 ng/ml (IQR 2.4 to 4.7) in the CESFAM. The PDD deficit was 2.3% and 28.5% for children from the CPF and the CESFAM respectively, without statistical difference (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the PDD and salivary cortisol between children of both groups.

Desarrollo psicomotor y cortisol salival en niños que viven juntos a sus madres privadas de libertad / Psychomotor development and cortisol salivary levels in infants that live with their inmate mothers

INTRODUCCIÓN: En Chile el sistema penitenciario cuenta con un programa que permite que las madres privadas de libertad vivan con sus hijos menores de 2 años. Esta modalidad podría implicar que los niños estén más expuestos a condiciones de estrés y a mayor riesgo de retraso en su desarrollo psicomotor (DSM). OBJETIVO: Comparar el DSM y la concentración de cortisol en saliva de los niños que viven en la cárcel junto a sus madres y comparar los resultados con los observados en niños que no están bajo este régimen. SUJETOS Y MÉTODO: Estudio transversal en 42 lactantes, 12 de ellos hijos de madres reclusas en el centro penitenciario de Santiago (CPF), y 30 controles provenientes de un Centro de Salud Familiar de Atención Primaria (CESFAM). Se evaluó DSM de los lactantes mediante la encuesta ASQ-3 y se realizó medición de cortisol salival mediante radioinmunoensayo a los lactantes y madres. RESULTADOS: La mediana de cortisol salival de los hijos de madres del CPF y CESFAM fue de 2,3 ng/ml (IQR 1,1 a 2,7) y de 2,1 ng/ml (IQR 1,6 a 2,9) respectivamente. El cortisol materno fue 4,6 ng/ml (IQR 3,8 a 7,3) en el CPF y 3,7 ng/ml (IQR 2,4 a 4,7) en el CESFAM. El déficit del DSM fue 2,3% y 28,5% para los niños del CPF y del CESFAM, respectivamente, sin diferencia estadística (p = 0,06). CONCLUSIONES: No hubo diferencia en el DSM y tampoco en el cortisol salival entre los niños de ambos grupos.

INTRODUCTION: In Chile, the prison system has a program that allows inmate mothers to live with their children un der two years of age. This could imply that these children are more exposed to stress conditions and a higher psychomotor developmental delay (PDD) risk. OBJECTIVE: To compare the PDD and salivary cortisol concentrations (SCC) of children living in prison with their mothers and to compare the results with control children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study in 42 infants, 12 of them are children of inmate mothers in the penitentiary center (CPF) of Santiago, and 30 controls from a Primary Care Family Health Center (CESFAM). PDD of infants was assessed through the ASQ-3 questionnaire and salivary cortisol was measured in infants and mothers using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The median salivary cortisol level of the children of CPF and CESFAM mothers was 2.3 ng/ ml (IQR 1.1 to 2.7) and 2.1 ng/ml (IQR 1.6 to 2, 9) respectively. Maternal cortisol was 4.6 ng/ml (IQR 3.8 to 7.3) in the CPF and 3.7 ng/ml (IQR 2.4 to 4.7) in the CESFAM. The PDD deficit was 2.3% and 28.5% for children from the CPF and the CESFAM respectively, without statistical difference (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the PDD and salivary cortisol between children of both groups.

Effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements on growth, psychomotor development, iron status, and morbidity among 6- to 12-mo-old infants in South Africa: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Evidence on the effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) on early child growth and development is mixed. Objective: This study assessed the effect of daily consumption of 2 different SQ-LNS formulations on linear growth (primary outcome), psychomotor development, iron status (secondary outcomes), and morbidity in infants from age 6 to 12 mo within the context of a maize-based complementary diet. Methods: Infants (n = 750) were randomly assigned to receive SQ-LNS, SQ-LNS-plus, or no supplement. Both SQ-LNS products contained micronutrients and essential fatty acids. SQ-LNS-plus contained, in addition, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid (important for brain and eye development), lysine (limiting amino acid in maize), phytase (enhances iron absorption), and other nutrients. Infants' weight and length were measured bimonthly. At age 6 and 12 mo, psychomotor development using the Kilifi Developmental Inventory and South African Parent Rating Scale and hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, C-reactive protein, and α1-acid glycoprotein were assessed. WHO Motor Milestone outcomes, adherence, and morbidity were monitored weekly through home visits. Primary analysis was by intention-to-treat, comparing each SQ-LNS group with the control. Results: SQ-LNS-plus had a positive effect on length-for-age zscore at age 8 mo (mean difference: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.22; P = 0.032) and 10 mo (0.16; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.27; P = 0.008) but not at 12 mo (0.09; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.21; P = 0.115), locomotor development score (2.05; 95% CI: 0.72, 3.38; P = 0.003), and Parent Rating Score (1.10; 95% CI: 0.14, 2.07; P = 0.025), but no effect for weight-for-age zscore. Both SQ-LNS (P = 0.027) and SQ-LNS-plus (P = 0.005) improved hemoglobin concentration and reduced the risk of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia. Both SQ-LNS products reduced longitudinal prevalence of fever, coughing, and wheezing but increased incidence and longitudinal prevalence of diarrhea, vomiting, and rash/sores. Conclusions: Point-of-use fortification with SQ-LNS-plus showed an early transient effect on linear growth and improved locomotor development. Both SQ-LNS products had positive impacts on anemia and iron status. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01845610.

A Comparison of Developmental Outcomes of Adolescent Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Survivors Born with a Congenital Heart Defect or Born Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cognitive, motor, behavioral, and functional outcomes of adolescents born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and adolescents born preterm. STUDY DESIGN: Adolescents (11-19 years old) born with a CHD requiring open-heart surgery during infancy (n = 80) or born preterm ≤29 weeks of gestational age (n = 128) between 1991 and 1999 underwent a cross-sectional evaluation of cognitive (Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised), motor (Movement Assessment Battery for Children-II), behavioral (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and functional (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II) outcomes. Independent samples t tests and Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact tests were used to compare mean scores and proportions of impairment, respectively, between groups. RESULTS: Adolescents born with a CHD and adolescents born preterm had similar cognitive, motor, behavioral, and functional outcomes. Cognitive deficits were detected in 14.3% of adolescents born with a CHD and 11.8% of adolescents born preterm. Motor difficulties were detected in 43.5% of adolescents born with a CHD and 50% of adolescents born preterm. Behavioral problems were found in 23.7% of adolescents in the CHD group and 22.9% in the preterm group. Functional limitations were detected in 12% of adolescents born with a CHD and 7.3% of adolescents born preterm. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents born with a CHD or born preterm have similar profiles of developmental deficits. These findings highlight the importance of providing long-term surveillance to both populations and guide the provision of appropriate educational and rehabilitation services to better ameliorate long-term developmental difficulties.

Association of spasticity and motor dysfunction in chronic stroke.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of increased muscle tone after stroke is frequently reported as 30% to 40%, and the condition is often concurrent with motor control deficits, manifesting as an inability to isolate paretic-limb joint movements. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this retrospective analysis were to 1) report the prevalence of increased muscle tone in a convenience sample of 128 chronic stroke survivors with moderate/severe motor deficits and 2) quantify the relation between tone and motor impairment in chronic stroke survivors. METHODS: Analyses included descriptive statistics and multiple regression modeling, with the modified Ashworth Scale score (MAS; tone) as a predictor of isolated joint movement control (Fugl-Meyer score [FM]; motor impairment). RESULTS: Increased muscle tone was present in 97% of subjects. Increased muscle tone was associated with impaired motor control (FM; upper extremity, P=0.008; lower extremity, P=0.03) after adjusting for age, time since stroke and sex. We found a significant difference between flexor and extensor strength for finger, elbow, hip and knee joints (P<0.002). Participants were classified in high and low MAS score groups. With high MAS score and for muscles of finger flexion and forearm pronation, we found a trend toward impaired strength of antagonist muscles (finger extensors and forearm supinators, respectively) as compared with low MAS score for these same muscle pairings. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of increased tone was higher in this study than in previous reports. Increased muscle tone in chronic stroke survivors with persistent motor dysfunction could be associated with impaired motor control and differential muscle strength of antagonistic muscles.

Outcome after stroke attributable to baseline factors-The PROSpective Cohort with Incident Stroke (PROSCIS).

BACKGROUND: The impact of risk factors on poor outcome after ischemic stroke is well known, but estimating the amount of poor outcome attributable to single factors is challenging in presence of multimorbidity. We aim to compare population attributable risk estimates obtained from different statistical approaches regarding their consistency. We use a real-life data set from the PROSCIS study to identify predictors for mortality and functional impairment one year after first-ever ischemic stroke and quantify their contribution to poor outcome using population attributable risks. METHODS: The PROSpective Cohort with Incident Stroke (PROSCIS) is a prospective observational hospital-based cohort study of patients after first-ever stroke conducted independently in Berlin (PROSCIS-B) and Munich (PROSCIS-M). The association of baseline factors with poor outcome one year after stroke in PROSCIS-B was analysed using multiple logistic regression analysis and population attributable risks were calculated, which were estimated using sequential population attributable risk based on a multiple generalized additive regression model, doubly robust estimation, as well as using average sequential population attributable risk. Findings were reproduced in an independent validation sample from PROSCIS-M. RESULTS: Out of 507 patients with available outcome information after 12 months in PROSCIS-B, 20.5% suffered from poor outcome. Factors associated with poor outcome were age, pre-stroke physical disability, stroke severity (NIHSS), education, and diabetes mellitus. The order of risk factors ranked by magnitudes of population attributable risk was almost similar for all methods, but population attributable risk estimates varied markedly between the methods. In PROSCIS-M, incidence of poor outcome and distribution of baseline parameters were comparable. The multiple logistic regression model could be reproduced for all predictors, except pre-stroke physical disability. Similar to PROSCIS-B, the order of risk factors ranked by magnitudes of population attributable risk was almost similar for all methods, but magnitudes of population attributable risk differed markedly between the methods. CONCLUSIONS: Ranking of risk factors by population impact is not affected by the different statistical approaches. Thus, for a rational decision on which risk factor to target in disease interventions, population attributable risk is a supportive tool. However, population attributable risk estimates are difficult to interpret and are not comparable when they origin from studies applying different methodology. The predictors for poor outcome identified in PROSCIS-B have a relevant impact on mortality and functional impairment one year after first-ever ischemic stroke.

Child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 and their neurodevelopment at 24 and 30 months of age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12, is associated with mental and psychomotor development in Mexican children, respectively, at 24 and 30 months of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information about neurodevelopment and dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 at 24 and 30 months of age among 229 children belonging to a perinatal cohort was analyzed longitudinally. Dietary information was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and neurodevelopment by Bayley Scale of Infant Development II. RESULTS: At 30 months of age, dietary folate intake was marginally associated with increased Mental Development Index (MDI) (b=8.33; 95%CI -0.48, 17.14; p=0.06). Nonsignificant positive associations of vitamin B12 with MDI were found. Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) was not associated with these nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary folate intake in early childhood may benefit the mental development of children.

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and neurodevelopmental outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the most widely used phthalate, has recently been associated with neurodevelopmental disturbances in children. However, the risk is yet to be quantified. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the association between exposure to DEHP and neurodevelopmental outcomes is necessary, with particular attention to study design (longitudinal vs. cross-sectional). METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search for associations between exposure to DEHP and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Among 106 published studies found in public databases, eight longitudinal studies and two cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant association between the concentrations of DEHP metabolites and the neurodevelopment outcomes of children among cross-sectional results, and found significant association between DEHP exposure measured in prenatal period and the psychomotor development outcomes measured later in childhood. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis of studies investigating the association between DEHP exposure and neurodevelopment in children. A need exists for more researches and a precautionary policy for potential health hazard of DEHP, the most commonly used phthalate, to promote healthier neurodevelopment in children.

Child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 and their neurodevelopment at 24 and 30 months of age / Ingesta de folato y vitamina B12 en la dieta del niño y su neurodesarrollo a los 24 y 30 meses de edad

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether child dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12, is associated with mental and psychomotor development in Mexican children, respectively, at 24 and 30 months of age. Materials and methods Information about neurodevelopment and dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 at 24 and 30 months of age among 229 children belonging to a perinatal cohort was analyzed longitudinally. Dietary information was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and neurodevelopment by Bayley Scale of Infant Development II. Results At 30 months of age, dietary folate intake was marginally associated with increased Mental Development Index (MDI) (β=8.33; 95%CI -0.48, 17.14; p=0.06). Non-significant positive associations of vitamin B12 with MDI were found. Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) was not associated with these nutrients. Conclusion Dietary folate intake in early childhood may benefit the mental development of children.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar si la ingesta dietética infantil de folato y vitamina B12 se asocia con el desarrollo mental y psicomotor en niños mexicanos de 24 y 30 meses de edad. Material y métodos La información del neurodesarrollo y la ingesta dietética de folato y B12 a los 24 y 30 meses de edad de 229 niños pertenecientes a una cohorte perinantal, se analizó longitudinalmente. La información dietética se obtuvo por un cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos semicuantitativo y el neurodesarrollo mediante la Escala de Desarrollo Infantil de Bayley II. Resultados A los 30 meses de edad, la ingesta dietética de folato se asoció marginalmente con un incremento del Índice de Desarrollo Infantil (IDM) (β=8.33; IC95% -0.48, 17.14; p=0.06). Se observaron asociaciones positivas no significativas entre la B12 y el IDM. El Índice de Desarrollo Psicomotor (IDP) no se asoció con dichos nutrientes. Conclusión La ingesta dietética infantil de folato puede beneficiar el desarrollo mental.

[Psychomotor development in patients with severe congenital heart disease]. / Desarrollo psicomotor en pacientes con cardiopatia congenita grave.

AIM: Retrospective analysis of the neurodevelopment in the first two years of life in patients with severe congenital heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Out of 89 patients with severe congenital heart disease 19 were excluded due to a history of prematurity and/or chromosomopathy, four due to a history of ischemic stroke and two due to lack of medical history. Denver Test (DT) results at 2, 6, 12, 15 and 18 months, and results in motor, language and social interaction fields were achieved. RESULTS: 59.4% were male and 40.6% female. The mean age of patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with pathological DT at 18 months was 3 months, compared to 11.88 months in those with normal DT. DT at 2 months was normal in 98.4% of patients, 87.5% at 6 and 12 months, 81.3% at 15 months and 85% at 18 months. Two patients with abnormal neurodevelopment normalized the DT before 24 months. The field of neurodevelopment most affected was language (15.6%), followed by motor (10.9%) and social interaction (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Psychomotor development delay, especially in the area of language, is more frequent in patients with severe congenital heart disease. The presence of cyanosis and the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were the variables that are most associated with this type of pathology.

TITLE: Desarrollo psicomotor en pacientes con cardiopatia congenita grave.Objetivo. Analizar los hitos motores alcanzados en los dos primeros años de vida en pacientes con cardiopatia congenita grave. Pacientes y metodos. De 89 pacientes con cardiopatia congenita grave, 19 fueron excluidos por antecedentes de prematuridad o cromosomopatia, cuatro por antecedente de ictus isquemico y dos por ausencia de historia clinica. Se obtuvieron resultados del test de Denver (TD) a los 2, 6, 12, 15 y 18 meses, y resultados en los campos motor, del lenguaje y de interaccion social. Resultados. El 59,4% fueron varones, y el 40,6%, mujeres. La edad media de los pacientes sometidos a oxigenacion con membrana extracorporea con TD patologico a los 18 meses fue de 3 meses, frente a 11,88 meses de los que presentaban un TD normal. El TD a los 2 meses resulto normal en el 98,4% de los pacientes, en el 87,5% a los 6 y 12 meses, en el 81,3% a los 15 meses, y en el 85% a los 18 meses. Dos de los pacientes con alteracion en el neurodesarrollo normalizaron el TD antes de los 24 meses. El campo del neurodesarrollo mas afectado fue el del lenguaje (15,6%), seguido del motor (10,9%) y de la interaccion social (8%). Conclusiones. El retraso en el desarrollo psicomotor, especialmente en el area del lenguaje, es mas frecuente en pacientes con cardiopatias congenitas graves, y la presencia de cianosis y la necesidad de circulacion con membrana extracorporea son las variables que mas se asocian con este tipo de patologia.

Early prenatal exposure to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection and child psychomotor development at 6 months - A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating gestational influenza and child neurodevelopment are still scarce, particularly concerning timing of infection in pregnancy. This is the first study to investigate associations between gestational influenza and infant psychomotor development and temperament at 6 months. METHODS: Data from The Norwegian Influenza Pregnancy Cohort, established during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, were utilized. Information on influenza infection, vaccination, maternal health and child health and development is available from questionnaires, national registry data and maternal blood samples drawn at delivery. Maternal influenza A H1N1 pdm09 infection was serologically confirmed. 609 children with complete data were identified. Children of exposed and non-exposed mothers were compared using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Children exposed to influenza during gestational weeks (gw) 0-8 had adjusted general development scores indicating slightly delayed development compared to non-exposed children (0.28 standard deviations (SD) 95% confidence interval (CI): -0. 01; 0.58; p = 0.06). The temperamental scores of children exposed during gw 0-8 were slightly higher (0.31 SD; 95% CI: -0. 03; 0.64; p = 0.07) than non-exposed children indicating a more difficult temperament. In comparison, the developmental scores for children exposed in gw 9-40 were -0.31 SD (95% CI: -0. 65; 0.04; p = 0.09) better than non-exposed children, while the temperamental scores were 0.17 (95% CI: -0. 23; 0.56; p = 0.36) for the same period. CONCLUSION: Modest associations were found between maternal influenza A (H1N1) pdm infection during gestational weeks 0-8 and psychomotor development at 6 months.

The relationship between serum IGF-1, handgrip strength, physical performance and falls in elderly men and women.

OBJECTIVE: Human aging is accompanied by a decrease in growth hormone secretion and serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels. Also, loss of muscle mass and strength and impairment of physical performance, ending in a state of frailty, are seen in elderly. We aimed to investigate whether handgrip strength, physical performance and recurrent falls are related to serum IGF-1 levels in community-dwelling elderly. DESIGN: Observational cohort study (cross-sectional and prospective). METHODS: We studied the association between IGF-1 and handgrip strength, physical performance and falls in participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. A total of 1292 participants were included (633 men, 659 women). Serum IGF-1 levels were divided into quartiles (IGF-1-Q1 to IGF-1-Q4). Data on falls were collected prospectively for a period of 3 years. All analyses were stratified for age and physical activity and adjusted for relevant confounders. RESULTS: Men with a low physical activity score in IGF-1-Q1 and IGF-1-Q2 of the younger age group had a lower handgrip strength compared to IGF-1-Q4. In younger more active males in IGF-1-Q2 physical performance was worse. Recurrent fallers were less prevalent in older, low active males with low IGF-1 levels. In females, recurrent fallers were more prevalent in older, more active females in IGF-1-Q2. IGF-1 quartile may predict changes in handgrip strength and physical performance in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that lower IGF-1 levels are associated with lower handgrip strength and worse physical performance, but less recurrent fallers especially in men. Associations were often more robust in IGF-1-Q2. Future studies on this topic are desirable.

Prevalence and correlates of neurological soft signs in healthy controls without family history of any mental disorder: A neurodevelopmental variation rather than a specific risk factor?

OBJECTIVE: Neurological soft signs (NSS) are a group of minor non-localizable neurological abnormalities found more often in patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders. The aim of the current study was to investigate their prevalence and correlates in healthy controls without family history of any mental disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample included 122 normal subjects (66 males and 56 females; aged 32.89 ±â€¯9.91 years old). The assessment included the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES), and a number of scales assessing the subthreshold symptoms (MADRS, STAI) and functioning (GAF). Data on a number of socio-demographic variables were also gathered. The statistical analysis included the development of basic statistics tables and the calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The results of the current study suggest that more than half of the study sample manifested at least one NSS and approximately 5% more than four. Still, the reported prevalence and NES scores are lower form those reported in the literature probably because of the carefully selected study sample. There were no significant correlations between NSS and any socio-demographic or clinical variable. DISCUSSION: The current study is the first to study NSS in subjects without family history of any mental disorder and reports the presence of frequent silent neurodevelopmental events in the general population, probably in the form of a neurodevelopmental variation and possibly a weak generic rather than specific risk factor.

Re-evaluation of 33 'unclassified' eosinophilic renal cell carcinomas in young patients.

AIMS: We sought to determine if some unclassified renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) in children and young adults that are characterised by predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm are related to the recently described succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient RCC, fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient RCC or eosinophilic solid and cystic (ESC) RCC. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed 33 unclassified RCCs with predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm in patients aged 35 years or younger. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for SDHB, FH and CK20 (a marker of ESC) was performed in all cases. IHC for 2-succinocysteine (2SC) was performed on RCC with loss of FH labelling. Four RCC (12%) (median age 18 years) demonstrated loss of FH labelling as well as aberrant 2SC labelling, and were thus classified as FH-deficient RCCs. Importantly, none of these cases demonstrated the characteristic macronucleoli typical of FH-deficient RCC. Eight RCC (24%) (median age 20.5 years) demonstrated loss of SDHB and were reclassified as SDH-deficient RCCs. Importantly, only four of eight SDH-deficient RCC demonstrated the characteristic cytoplasmic vacuoles and inclusions of typical SDH-deficient RCC. Ten RCC (30%) (median age 27 years) were reclassified as ESC RCCs. Four of 10 ESC RCC were multifocal (one bilateral), four of 10 ESC RCC occurred in males and one patient presented with liver and lung metastases, all not described previously in ESC. Eleven RCC (33%) remained unclassified. CONCLUSIONS: Pathologists should have a low threshold for performing FH, SDHB and CK20 IHC when confronted with unclassified eosinophilic RCC or 'oncocytoma' in young patients.