Behavior and Incontinence
The current issue of Pediatrics reports on research results that indicated a significant drop in behavioral problems following treatment for incontinence. The significant change in behavior was only seen in the group that had dysfunctional voiding.
Reference: Bael, An, Winkler, Pauline, Lax, Hildegard, Hirche, Herbert, Gabel, Elisabeth, Vijverberg, Marianne, van Zon, Roelie, Van Hoecke, Eline, van Gool, Jan D. Behavior Profiles in Children With Functional Urinary Incontinence Before and After Incontinence Treatment Pediatrics 2008 121: e1196-e1200
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
Pediatrics reports on the condition Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva in the current issue. The researchers would like pediatricians to be aware of the signs of this rare genetic disorder – congenital malformation of the great toe. Early diagnosis is crucial because the invasive tests can make the disorder worse and it is frequently misdiagnosed as cancer. If the disorder is suspected, genetic counseling and testing is recommended.
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva is a extremely rare genetic disorder (230 known cases in US) that causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues.
References: International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. FOP Facts in Brief Sheet. Retrieved from the web on 5/7/08 from http://www.ifopa.org/factsinbrief.html
Kaplan, Frederick S., Xu, Meiqi, Glaser, David L., Collins, Felicity, Connor, Michael, Kitterman, Joseph, Sillence, David, Zackai, Elaine, Ravitsky, Vardit, Zasloff, Michael, Ganguly, Arupa, Shore, Eileen M. Early Diagnosis of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Pediatrics 2008 121: e1295-e1300
Childhood MS
The current issue of Neurology reports that multiple sclerosis in children is associated with cognitive impairment and lower IQ scores more so if multiple sclerosis is diagnosed at a younger age. There were negative impacts on school activities in 56% of the 63 subjects.
Reference: Amato, M. P., Goretti, B., Ghezzi, A., Lori, S., Zipoli, V., Portaccio, E., Moiola, L., Falautano, M., De Caro, M. F., Lopez, M., Patti, F., Vecchio, R., Pozzilli, C., Bianchi, V., Roscio, M., Comi, G., Trojano, M., For the Multiple Sclerosis Study Group of the Italian Neurological Society, Cognitive and psychosocial features of childhood and juvenile MS Neurology 2008 70: 1891-1897
Fractures and ADL’s in Children
The Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics reports that parents of children with forearm casts should be informed about how the cast will effect activities of daily living. Their study showed that personal hygiene, dressing, making a snack and reaching for high objects were all effected in below or above elbow forearm casting. The goal is to decrease pain in children (especially in younger children) by making parents aware of limitations.
Reference: Barak Aviv, Elhanan Bar-On, Daniel Weigl, Tal Becker and Kalman Katz. (2008) Children’s daily living activities during immobilization of upper-limb fractures with an above- or below-elbow cast. Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics Published online 3/6/2008.
Fractures in Children
Pediatrics reports in the current issue on healthy children with frequent fractures (more than or equal to two fractures). This study compared 68 children with frequent fractures and 57 children without fractures. The results indicated a significant association between the frequent fractures and hypercalcuria (large amounts of calcium in urine). The researchers recommend taking a dietary history in children with frequent fractures with a focus on calcium and vitamin D intake in addition to checking for pubertal delay and hypercalcuria.
Reference: Olney, Robert C., Mazur, John M., Pike, Leah M., Froyen, Melanie K., Ramirez-Garnica, Gabriela, Loveless, Eric A., Mandel, David M., Hahn, G. Alan, Neal, Kevin M., Cummings, R. Jay Healthy Children With Frequent Fractures: How Much Evaluation Is Needed? Pediatrics 2008 121: 890-897.
Great Links to Check Out for FREE stuff for school based therapists:
Check out this link – www.bookshare.org . This is a FREE service for people with disabilities to have access to books in braille, large print and digital access (books can be read to students rather than reading). Check it out to sign up your school.
Check out this website – http://adaptech.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/fandi_e.php. This website has compiled a list of free or cheap software and hardware of assistive technology. It has many great simple ideas and complex tools to try for free. Definitely worth a look if you are a therapist working with school age children with disabilities.