Neurological Effects of Antipsychotic Meds in Children
The Journal of Child Neurology reports that following a review of over 4000 youths taking anti-psychotic medications (i.e. risperidone, multiple anti-psychotics, and serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors) there was a higher incidence of involuntary movements, sedations and seizures when compared to a control group. There was a higher risk for younger children with pre existing conditions such as central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular system disorders and mental retardation.
Reference: Jerrell, Jeanette M., Hwang, Te-Long, Livingston, Timothy S. Neurological Adverse Events Associated With Antipsychotic Treatment in Children and Adolescents J Child Neurol 2008 0: 0883073808319070
Wii and Cerebral Palsy
Physical Therapy journal reports on a case study regarding the use of Wii by an adolescent with cerebral palsy, classified as GMFSM III. Following 11 training sessions using the Wii for 60-90 minutes (in addition to OT and PT sessions), the adolescent showed improvements in visual processing, postural control and functional mobility.
Reference: Deutsch, Judith E, Borbely, Megan, Filler, Jenny, Huhn, Karen, Guarrera-Bowlby, Phyllis Use of a Low-Cost, Commercially Available Gaming Console (Wii) for Rehabilitation of an Adolescent With Cerebral Palsy PHYS THER 2008 0: ptj.20080062
Lower Limb Alignment In Children
The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics published research regarding review of lower extremity radiographs in children. At 1-2 years old, the legs are frequently in a varus position at the distal femur. At three years of age, the limbs tended to switch to a slight valgus alignment at the posterior tibia. By seven years of age, the reference angles were the same as in adult lower limbs.
Reference: Sabharwal, Sanjeev MD; Zhao, Caixia MD; Edgar, Michele PA-C (2008) Lower Limb Alignment in Children: Reference Values Based on a Full-Length Standing Radiograph Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 28(7):740-746, November 2008.
Behaviors and Prematurity
Pediatrics published research that states children in Ireland and the United Kingdom born at less than 25 weeks gestation are at greater risk for pervasive behavioral problems. Boys are at greater risk than girls.
Reference: Samara, Muthanna, Marlow, Neil, Wolke, Dieter, for the EPICure Study Group, Pervasive Behavior Problems at 6 Years of Age in a Total-Population Sample of Children Born at <=25 Weeks of Gestation Pediatrics 2008 122: 562-573
Infant Weight Gain and Cognition
Pediatrics reports that children with a history of slow weight gain in inafancy was not associated with with delayed neurodevelopmental skills as determined by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and and Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities in healthy, full term 3 year olds.
Reference: Belfort, Mandy B., Rifas-Shiman, Sheryl L., Rich-Edwards, Janet W., Kleinman, Ken P., Oken, Emily, Gillman, Matthew W. Infant Growth and Child Cognition at 3 Years of Age Pediatrics 2008 122: e689-e695
Pilot Study CP Surgical and Medical Interventions
The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics recently published research on a pilot study of 16 children with cerebral palsy. The following surgical and medical procedures were performed: surgical lengthening of adductor longus and gracilis with phenolization of the muscles and Botox A injections in hamstrings and calf muscles. At 24 months, post interventions, the children exhibited significant improvements in motor function and significant increases in hip abduction, knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion.
Reference: Abhay Khot, Samuel Sloan, Sameer Desai, Adrienne Harvey, Rory Wolfe and H. Kerr Graham (2008) Adductor release and chemodenervation in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study in 16 children Journal of Children’s Orthpaedics 2(4): 293-299. DOI: 10.1007/s11832-008-0105-1
Visual Motor Abilities and Prematurity
A recent study by Dr. Cyril Schneider, Line Nadeau et al compared visual motor coordination of children with a birth history of prematurity versus full term gestation. The children who were born before 28 weeks gestation had significant differences in interhemispheric time, lengthened programming time for dominant hand pointing and opposite bilateral pointing.