PVLM and Walking
A recent study indicates that the severity of periventricular leukomalacia as seen on infant MRI’s are related to the ability to walk at 12 and 18 months of age but not the quality of walking.
Reference: Annick Ledebt, Geert J.P. Savelsbergh, Lilian T.L. Sie and Marjo S. van der Knaap Walking and periventricular leukomalacia: Locomotor characteristics and brain imaging (MRI) Infant Behavior and Development Volume 31, Issue 4, December 2008, Pages 655-664
Postural Imbalance and Scoliosis
The European Spine Journal published research regarding a relationship between severe scoliosis and sensory integration disorder. The researchers used testing with a force platform to determine that the severity of pre-brace girls with scoliosis could be effected by sensory integration disorder.
Reference: Marlene Beaulieu, Claire Toulotte, Laura Gatto, Charles-H. Rivard, Normand Teasdale, Martin Simoneau and Paul Allard. Postural imbalance in non-treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at different periods of progression European Spine Journal 2008 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print].
Drug Exposure and Self Regulation/ Sustained Attention
The Journal of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics has published research on children who have a birth history of drug exposure and then remain in the care of their maternal mother. These children when tested at 7 years of age had significantly different scores with regard to omission errors. The researchers concluded that these children are at greater risk of problems with self regulation and sustained attention.
Reference: Ackerman, John P. PhD; Llorente, Antolin M. PhD; Black, Maureen M. PhD; Ackerman, Claire S. MA; Mayes, Lacy A. MA; Nair, Prasanna MD The Effect of Prenatal Drug Exposure and Caregiving Context on Children’s Performance on a Task of Sustained Visual Attention. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 29(6):467-474, December 2008.
Weight Gain and Cerebral Palsy
The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published research on simulated weight gain in children with cerebral palsy. The children, with CP and without, underwent gait analysis after receiving an additional 10% of body weight via a weight belt. The children with CP experienced a drop in speed and an increase in oxygen uptake when compared to the non impaired control group.
Reference: Frank Plasschaert, MD, Kim Jones, PhD, MCSP, Malcolm Forward, PhD, CEng The Effect of Simulating Weight Gain on the Energy Cost of Walking in Unimpaired Children and Children With Cerebral Palsy Volume 89, Issue 12, Pages 2302-2308 (December 2008)
Thickening Foods and GER
Pediatrics published a review of the research on thickened feeds for infants for at least 3 days and its effect on gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The researchers concluded that thickened feeds are moderately effective in treating GER in infants.
Reference: Horvath, Andrea, Dziechciarz, Piotr, Szajewska, Hania The Effect of Thickened-Feed Interventions on Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials Pediatrics 2008 122: e1268-e1277
Families and Autism
Pediatrics reports on recent research indicating that families of children with autism experience more financial problems, difficulty receiving proper care, referrals or family support services when compared to other families with children with disabilities. This study calculated that nationally 535,000 children (ages 3-17) have disabilities with 5.6% of the children having autism.
Reference: Kogan, Michael D., Strickland, Bonnie B., Blumberg, Stephen J., Singh, Gopal K., Perrin, James M., van Dyck, Peter C. A National Profile of the Health Care Experiences and Family Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the United States, 2005-2006 Pediatrics 2008 122: e1149-e1158
Chronic Fatigue and School Attendance
Archives of Disease in Childhood reports that children less than 18 years of age with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy have high rates of absenteeism. These researchers concluded that decreased attendance was due to reduced physical function or pain rather than anxiety.
Reference: Crawley, Esther, Sterne, Jonathan Association between school absence and physical function in paediatric CFS/ME Arch Dis Child 2008 0: adc.2008.143537
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