Both epilepsy and anti-seizure medications affect bone metabolism in children with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

OBJECTIVE: Bone metabolism can be influenced by a range of factors. We selected children with self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) and lifestyles similar to those of healthy children to control for the confounding factors that may influence bone metabolism. We aimed to identify the specific effects of epilepsy and/or anti-seizure medications (ASMs) on bone metabolism. METHODS: Patients with SeLECTS were divided into an untreated group and a monotherapy group, and the third group was a healthy control group. We determined the levels of various biochemical markers of bone metabolism, including procollagen type I nitrogenous propeptide (PINP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX), calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D3 (VD3 ). RESULTS: A total of 1487 patients (from 19 centers) were diagnosed with SeLECTS; 1032 were analyzed, including 117 patients who did not receive any ASMs (untreated group), 643 patients who received only one ASM (monotherapy group), and 272 children in the healthy control group. Except for VD3 , other bone metabolism of the three groups were different (p < .001). Bone metabolism was significantly lower in the untreated group than the healthy control group (p < .05). There were significant differences between the monotherapy and healthy control group in the level of many markers. However, when comparing the monotherapy and untreated groups, the results were different; oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, and topiramate had no significant effect on bone metabolism. Phosphorus and magnesium were significantly lower in the valproic acid group than the untreated group (adjusted p < .05, Cliff's delta .282-.768). CTX was significantly higher in the lamotrigine group than in the untreated group (adjusted p = .012, Cliff's delta = .316). SIGNIFICANCE: Epilepsy can affect many aspects of bone metabolism. After controlling epilepsy and other confounders that affect bone metabolism, we found that the effects of ASMs on bone metabolism differed. Oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, and topiramate did not affect bone metabolism, and lamotrigine corrected some of the abnormal markers of bone metabolism in patients with epilepsy.

Six-month efficacy of the Ketogenic diet is predicted after 3 months and is unrelated to clinical variables.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 6-month efficacy of a Ketogenic diet (KD) in children with drug-resistant epilepsy and to analyze the associated factors that affect the efficacy of a KD. METHODS: Eighty-seven pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who followed a KD for at least 6 months were included in this study. The efficacy of a KD was assessed based upon the seizure frequency, as recorded by parents and caregivers. The number of cases and the degree of efficacy in different age ranges were also considered. The effects of gender, age, seizure type, etiology, blood glucose and ketone levels, seizure frequency before the diet, and cognition on the length of time on a KD were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) There was no significant correlation between the length of time on a KD and efficacy (χ(2)=2.31, P=0.51). The 3-month efficacy of a KD was 51%, which did not further increase when the course was extended to 6 months. (2) There was a positive correlation between increased cognition and the efficacy of a KD after 3 months (γ=0.31, P=0.003). (3) The efficacy analysis of 3-month treatment with a KD revealed, with respect to seizure types, that there were 37 patients with multiple seizure phenotypes and 50 patients with a single seizure phenotype. The overall efficacy of a KD in the group with multiple seizure phenotypes was 61%. The efficacy of a KD was not statistically associated with a coexisting syndrome or a type of syndrome; however, the efficacy of a KD had a tendency to be increased in certain types of syndromes. The overall efficacy in the group with a single seizure phenotype was 87%, and the efficacy was not associated with seizure type. (4) The 3-month efficacy of a KD was not correlated with age, gender, etiology, blood glucose or ketone levels, or the seizure frequency before treatment. CONCLUSION: An observation time of 3 months is appropriate for assessing the efficacy of a KD in treating children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The factors that likely influence the efficacy of a KD are unclear, but our study suggests that incorporating more patient samples will help determine whether patients with certain syndromes can benefit from a KD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children with epilepsy: a multicenter cross-sectional analysis in China.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid with epilepsy have been insufficiently addressed in China. We conducted a study in China to investigate the current status, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD in children to further our understanding of ADHD comorbid with epilepsy, strengthen its management, and improve patients' quality of life. METHODS: We carried out a multicenter cross-sectional survey of children with epilepsy across China between March 2022 and August 2022. We screened all patients for ADHD and compared various demographic and clinical factors between children with and without ADHD, including gender, age, age at epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure types, seizure frequency, presence of epileptiform discharges, and treatment status. Our objective was to explore any possible associations between these characteristics and the prevalence of ADHD. RESULTS: Overall, 395 epilepsy patients aged 6-18 years were enrolled. The age at seizure onset and duration of epilepsy ranged from 0.1-18 to 0.5-15 years, respectively. Focal onset seizures were observed in 212 (53.6%) patients, while 293 (76.3%) patients had epileptiform interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities. Among the 370 patients treated with anti-seizure medications, 200 (54.1%) had monotherapy. Although 189 (47.8%) patients had ADHD, only 31 received treatment for it, with the inattentive subtype being the most common. ADHD was more common in children undergoing polytherapy compared to those on monotherapy. Additionally, poor seizure control and the presence of epileptiform interictal EEG abnormalities may be associated with a higher prevalence of ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalence of ADHD was higher in children with epilepsy than in normal children, the treatment rate was notably low. This highlights the need to give more importance to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children with epilepsy.

A Pathogenic Missense Variant (c.1617G>A, p.Met539Ile) in UBA1 Causing Infantile X-Linked Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMAX2).

Background: Infantile X-linked spinal muscular atrophy (SMAX2) is a rare type of spinal muscular atrophy associated with UBA1 variants. Methods: Clinical imaging and neurophysiological tests were performed on a Chinese patient with SMAX2. Further, focused panel sequencing of UBA1 was carried out on samples of both the proband and his maternal relatives. Results: The proband, a 4-year-old boy with the SMAX2 phenotype, suffered from reduced exercise capacity since infancy. His other symptoms included speech difficulties, severe nasal tone, reduced distal muscle strength, areflexia, and inadequate sucking ability. The brain MRI of the proband's showed normal results but the electromyography results showed multiple peripheral neurogenic lesions. Five male members of the proband's family were affected with the SMAX2 phenotype. They presented similar symptoms and had experienced a long and autonomous life. Molecular analysis revealed a novel missense variant (c.1617G>A, p.Met539Ile) in the exon 15 of UBA1. The proband's mother, as well as grandmother, carried the heterozygous missense UBA1 variant; whereas, the male patients from the family carried the hemizygotic variant. Conclusions: The affected members in this Chinese family showed unique features such as extended life span, no fractures, and cramps as compared with previously reported SMAX2 cases. The novel missense variant (c.1617G>A (p.Met539Ile) in UBA1 highlights the critical role of this gene in causing SMAX2 phenotype.

A term neonate with early myoclonic encephalopathy caused by RARS2 gene variants: a case report.

The RARS2 gene encodes mitochondrial arginine-tRNA synthetase. Patients with variants of the RARS2 gene have pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 6 (PCH6), which is characterized by early onset seizures, progressive microcephaly, and developmental delay. PCH6 is a rare mitochondrial encephalopathy. To the best of our knowledge, the onset seizure type which the ictal video-electroencephalogram (VEEG) was compatible with early myoclonic encephalopathy (EME) has not been reported. Here we reported a term female neonate with EME caused by heterozygous variants of the RARS2 gene [NM_020320: exon10: c.773G>A (p. R258H) Maternal, NM_020320: exon4: c.282_285delAGAG Paternal]. Groan was the first symptom manifested, followed by metabolic disorders, and early marked cerebral atrophy. Metabolic disorders were corrected after feeding with extensively hydrolyzed protein formula. Seizures started at the 19th day of life. Interictal VEEG showed a suppression-burst (SB) pattern and ictal VEEG revealed myoclonic seizures that were compatible with early myoclonic encephalopathy (EME). She had frequent myoclonic seizures resistant to multi-antiepileptic drugs including phenobarbital, levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine, and soon developed into convulsive status epilepticus. At 7 months of age, she had severe developmental delay, and developed infantile spasms. Our case report expands the phenotypic spectrum of the PCH6, meanwhile, RARS2 should be considered be a causative gene in patients with EME.

Current Status, Diagnosis, and Treatment Recommendation for Tic Disorders in China.

Tic disorders (TD) are a group neuropsychiatric disorders with childhood onset characterized by tics, i.e. repetitive, sudden, and involuntary movements or vocalizations; and Tourette syndrome (TS) is the most severe form of TD. Their clinical manifestations are diverse; and are often associated with various psychopathological and/or behavioral comorbidities, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Individual severity and response to treatment are highly variable, and there are some refractory cases, which are less responsive to conventional TD treatment. TD/TS are also common in the Chinese pediatric population. To help improve the understanding of TD for pediatricians and other health professionals, and to improve its diagnosis and treatment in China, the Chinese Child Neurology Society (CCNS) has developed an Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of TD in China, which is based on our clinical experience and the availability therapeutic avenues. It is focused on clinical diagnosis and evaluation of TD and its comorbidities, psychological and educational intervention, nonpharmacological therapy, pharmacological treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, as well as prognosis in children with TD in China. A summary of the current status of TD and up-to-date diagnosis and treatment recommendations for TD in China is presented here.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Pediatric Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: An Analysis of 30 Cases in China.

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in children is rare in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to summarize the etiological, clinical, and imaging characteristics of CVST in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 30 patients with a diagnosis of CVST who were admitted to Children's Hospital of Fudan University from 2008 to 2018. The medical records, including clinical manifestations, laboratory data, neurological findings, treatment, and short-term prognosis were analyzed. Results: Etiologically, the causes of CVST were infection (7/30), tumor (3/30), nephritis or nephrotic syndrome (8/30), traumatic brain injury (1/30), and undefined disease (11/30). All 30 cases were diagnosed with CVST after a neuroimaging examination using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic angiography venography (MRV). With regard to short-term prognosis, all the patients were treated with anticoagulants, after which 26 cases improved. Conclusions: CVST patients do not typically present with specific clinical manifestations, which leads to a high rate of misdiagnosis and delayed therapy. Increased consideration and prompt MRV checkup plays a key role in achieving an accurate diagnosis. Overall, anticoagulation is a safe and effective treatment for CVST.

[Clinical analysis and screening for SCN1A gene mutation in two pedigrees of generalized epilepsies with febrile seizures plus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and genetic characteristics of generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS). METHODS: Data of two probands of the disease were collected through outpatient clinic. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using RelaxGene Blood DNA System. Twenty-six exons of SCN1A were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the PCR products were screened by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), then the abnormal fragments were sequenced by Sanger method in order to find the mutations of SCNIA gene. RESULTS: (1) There were 28 affected individuals in the two families of GEFS+ (14 males and 14 females). Febrile seizures (FS) were present in 7 cases, febrile seizures plus (FS+) in 6 cases, FS+ and absence seizures in 1 case, FS+ and myoclonic seizures in 1 case, uncertain type in 13 cases. No severe phenotype was seen. Bilineal inheritance occured in one GEFS+ family. (2) A samesense mutation (c. 1212A > G) of SCN1A gene was found in the proband and an unaffected individual of pedigree B of GEFS. CONCLUSIONS: (1) GEFS+ is a syndrome with the characteristics of heterogeneous clinical phenotypes; bilineal inheritance suggests the possibility of complex inheritance with additive gene effects. (2) Our study failed to provide evidence supporting a causal relation between the SCN1A mutation and the etiologic gene in the GEFS+ family B, which indicates that GEFS+ has the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity.

[Prevalence of chronic headache in Shanghai children and adolescents: a questionnaire-based study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and characteristics of chronic headache in children and adolescents in Shanghai and to collect messages concerning the impact and compliance of medication for migraine. METHODS: A population-based questionnaire study was conducted among subjects 6 - 15 years of age sampled from primary and junior high schools in Shanghai and the subjects were followed up. RESULTS: (1) The prevalence: 8701 (88.6%) out of 9857 pupils responded to the questionnaire; 17% of the respondents had headache and in 86.4% of them the reason of headache was unknown. The prevalence of chronic headache in Shanghai children and adolescents was 7.8%, there was no significant difference between both genders (chi(2) = 0.010, P > 0.05). (2) The prevalence of chronic headache increased with age, the incidence was higher in boys before 12 years of age, while higher in girls after 12 years of age. (3) Characteristics of chronic headache: the proportion of unilateral, bilateral and headache of unknown site was similar; in most of the cases headache was localized in the temple (35.2%) and forehead region (25.6%), the duration of headache was short, always accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. Half of the patients reported that the headache had affected their study and daily life. (4) The status of using health care facilities: 24% of the students sought medical assistance during their headache episodes and among them only 30.9% took medicine. (5) Over-fatigue (51.4%), followed by insufficient sleep (40.4%), emotional changes (38.5%) were the main aggravating factors. The headache was also associated with positive family history and stress in studying. CONCLUSIONS: Headache is a common complaints of children, affecting the patients' study and daily life. But many patients with headache were not treated properly, therefore, the medical and educational sectors and the society should pay more attention to this problem.

[Myasthenia gravis in children: clinical study of 77 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of myasthenia gravis (MG) in children and the changes in AchR-Ab-seronegative (SNMG) MG and AchR-Ab-seropositive MG (SPMG) patients. METHODS: The study was done on 77 MG patients who were diagnosed at The Pediatric Hospital, Fudan University from 1992 to 2002. This clinical trial was a non-randomized, controlled open study. RESULTS: (1) The age of onset ranged from 3 months to 16 years, and the most common ages of onset were before 3 years; 32 cases were males and 45 females. The extraocular muscles were more frequently involved. According to the modified Osserman's criteria, 54 patients (70%) were classified as type I, 21 cases (27%) as type II and 2 cases (3%) as type III. (2) Eighteen of 55 cases (35%) were positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AchRab) and 16 of 55 cases (31%) were positive for acetylcholine premembrane receptor antibody (PremRab) on the initial examination. The clinical state of the patient during the examination did not show any clear correlation with the level of these antibodies. There was no significant difference between clinical type and AchRab positive rate among the three groups. Two of 18 patients (11%) were positive for thymoma associated antibody (Tintinab). The serological test on follow-up showed that 6 of 10 SNMG cases (60%) turned to be SPMG. In 85% of the cases the results of CD cells examination was abnormal, most of them showed reduced levels of CD4(+) or CD3(+) and CD8(+). (3) The thymus proliferation was found in 22 patients (42%) by CT and changes of thymoma were found in 2 cases (4%) and were confirmed by operation. (4) In 50% of the cases the electromyography (EMG) was abnormal. (5) After anticholinesterase drugs and steroids treatment the prognosis of patients with MG was usually good. CONCLUSIONS: MG in our children's hospital has increased, the age of onset became younger, and type II MG cases increased. Seronegative patients could turn positive, so monitoring the patient's serology is helpful for finding more SPMG cases. Steroids have been proven effective and safe in treatment of MG in children. Patients in methylprednisolone group experienced less side effects of steroid therapy than group treated with oral prednisone.