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Park KB, Chapman T, Aldinger KA, Mirzaa GM, Zeiger J, Beck A, Glass IA, Hevner RF, Jansen AC, Marshall DA, Oegema R, Parrini E, Saneto RP, Curry CJ, Hall JG, Guerrini R, Leventer RJ, Dobyns WB. The spectrum of brain malformations and disruptions in twins. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:2690-2718. [PMID: 33205886 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Twins have an increased risk for congenital malformations and disruptions, including defects in brain morphogenesis. We analyzed data on brain imaging, zygosity, sex, and fetal demise in 56 proband twins and 7 less affected co-twins with abnormal brain imaging and compared them to population-based data and to a literature series. We separated our series into malformations of cortical development (MCD, N = 39), cerebellar malformations without MCD (N = 13), and brain disruptions (N = 11). The MCD group included 37/39 (95%) with polymicrogyria (PMG), 8/39 (21%) with pia-ependymal clefts (schizencephaly), and 15/39 (38%) with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) including 2 with PNH but not PMG. Cerebellar malformations were found in 19 individuals including 13 with a cerebellar malformation only and another 6 with cerebellar malformation and MCD. The pattern varied from diffuse cerebellar hypoplasia to classic Dandy-Walker malformation. Brain disruptions were seen in 11 individuals with hydranencephaly, porencephaly, or white matter loss without cysts. Our series included an expected statistically significant excess of monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs (22/41 MZ, 54%) compared to population data (482/1448 MZ, 33.3%; p = .0110), and an unexpected statistically significant excess of dizygotic (DZ) twins (19/41, 46%) compared to the literature cohort (1/46 DZ, 2%; p < .0001. Recurrent association with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, intrauterine growth retardation, and other prenatal factors support disruption of vascular perfusion as the most likely unifying cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee B Park
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Teresa Chapman
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly A Aldinger
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ghayda M Mirzaa
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jordan Zeiger
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anita Beck
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ian A Glass
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert F Hevner
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Anna C Jansen
- Neurogenetics Research Group, Reproduction Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Cluster, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Pediatric Neurology Unit, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Desiree A Marshall
- Department of Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Renske Oegema
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Genetics, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Parrini
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Russell P Saneto
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Cynthia J Curry
- Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Judith G Hall
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics, University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Richard J Leventer
- Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Pediatrics, Melbourne, Australia
| | - William B Dobyns
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Salomon LJ, Ville Y. Syndrome transfuseur-transfusé : physiopathologie, diagnostic et traitement chirurgical. BULLETIN DE L ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s0001-4079(19)32664-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Symptomatic parieto-occipital epilepsy as sequela of perinatal asphyxia. Pediatr Neurol 2008; 38:345-52. [PMID: 18410851 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2007.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2007] [Revised: 08/25/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in term infants has been well-documented as a cause of selective brain damage over the parasagittal brain regions in cases of partial asphyxia. We describe 10 patients (7 boys, 3 girls) who developed normally after perinatal asphyxia, and who later experienced parieto-occipital epilepsy. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, electroencephalograms, and neuroimaging findings. All patients had a history of perinatal asphyxia requiring intensive care. Subsequent developmental milestones were apparently normal. Seizures started at ages ranging from 10 to 168 months (mean, 72 months). The seizures comprised complex partial seizures with visual symptomatology in 5 cases, complex partial seizures without visual symptomatology in 4 cases, and focal motor seizures with secondary generalization in the remaining case. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated localized parieto-occipital lesions in 9 cases, and normal findings in the remaining one. Electroencephalograms revealed predominantly occipital foci in 8. In all patients, the epileptogenic foci involved either unilateral or bilateral parieto-occipital regions. Intelligence quotients and visuospatial cognitive functions were impaired in 7 patients. Seizures were finally controlled in only 4 patients. Symptomatic parieto-occipital epilepsy caused by mild perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is sometimes pharmaco-resistant and accompanied by mild cognitive and visuospatial impairments.
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Abstract
Human spontaneous chimerism, with one body built from cells of both twins of a dizygotic (DZ) pair, is supposed to be extremely rare, arising from the exchange of blood cells through placental anastomoses. Mosaicism is supposed to be far more common, arising from single zygotes by embryonic mutation. Because typical diagnosis of mosaicism can neither identify nor exclude chimerism, 'mosaicism' may often be chimerism undiscovered. Evidence shows chimerism arises primarily from DZ embryo fusion and is not rare, although it has negligible probability under the hypothesis of independent double ovulation and independent embryogenesis. If, instead, DZ twin embryos begin development as a single cell mass, chimerism is likely. This would be consistent with observations that DZ twins develop as differently from singletons as monozygotic twins do with regard to embryogenic establishment of asymmetries of midline neural-crest-driven structures of brain, face and heart. Chimerism is a significant component of human embryonic development that deserves closer attention as a mechanism of developmental variation. The 'common knowledge' understanding of twinning mechanisms is at best inadequate. The importance of the difference lies in what we can learn from chimerism about human embryogenesis and the cellular origins of structures and functions basic to the business of becoming human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Boklage
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, 3N72 Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville NC 27834, USA.
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Van Schoubroeck D, Lewi L, Ryan G, Carreras E, Jani J, Higueras T, Deprest J, Gratacos E. Fetoscopic surgery in triplet pregnancies: a multicenter case series. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004; 191:1529-32. [PMID: 15547520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of fetoscopic surgery in complicated monochorionic and dichorionic triplet pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN This was a case series of fetoscopic surgery in 12 cases of monochorionic (n = 5) or dichorionic (n = 7) triamniotic triplets complicated by severe feto-fetal transfusion (n = 8), twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (n = 3), or discordant for an anomaly (n = 1). Six underwent cord occlusion, and 6 had laser coagulation of the vascular anastomoses. RESULTS All procedures were successfully completed, and the outcome was comparable to that reported for similar procedures in twins. Eighty-three percent of fetuses survived, and 13% had long-term problems. CONCLUSION Fetoscopic surgery may be considered as a therapeutic option in complicated triplet pregnancies, with results similar to those found in twins.
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Abstract
The pediatric neurologist can fulfill a useful role as a subspecialty consultant concerning the fetus with a suspected brain disorder, given that neurologic disease may occur before the intrapartum period. Brain disorders detected in the neonatal period may also reflect fetal brain damage before dysfunction is first documented. Medical conditions during the antepartum or intrapartum periods can alternatively predispose the fetus or neonate to express brain dysfunction at a later period, with either de novo or compounded brain injury. The pediatric neurologist must, therefore, consider maternal, placental, and fetal diseases on which a neonatal encephalopathy may be superimposed. This review article provides the neurologist with an integrative approach to fetal neurology, emphasizing perspectives from other subspecialties concerning maternal-fetal medicine, pathology, and neonatology, as well as other pediatric subspecialties. Evaluation of future strategies for either fetal or neonatal brain resuscitation will need to consider the developmental context in which a suspected brain injury occurred during the antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Scher
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case-Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-6090, USA
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Gathwala G, Magu S, Khosla A. Multicystic encephalomalacia. Indian J Pediatr 2003; 70:443-5. [PMID: 12841409 DOI: 10.1007/bf02723622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Antepartum death of a fetus in a multiple gestation can be associated with mortality or major morbidity in the survivor. This article reports a rare case of multicystic encephalomalacia that occurred in the survivor twin with antepartum death of its co-twin. Its pathology and pathogenesis are discussed with review of literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geeta Gathwala
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Pt BDS PGIMS, Rohtak, India
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Abstract
Neuropathologic findings in stillbirths oftentimes provide insight into the specific mechanisms leading to death. Examination of the brains of stillborn infants may also identify pathophysiologic processes that result in prenatal brain injury in liveborn as well as stillborn infants and that lead to neurologic disorders in liveborn infants, such as cerebral palsy or the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A variety of abnormalities are found in the brains of stillborns, the most common including cerebral white matter necrosis (periventricular leukomalacia) or gliosis, germinal matrix or intraventricular hemorrhage, cerebral infarcts, pontosubicular necrosis, and spinal cord or brainstem necrosis. The 2 major hypotheses that have been proposed for the pathophysiology of cerebral white matter injury in the perinatal period are hypoxia/ischemia and infection/cytokines as the basis for injury. The fetal brain may be selectively vulnerable to various insults at specific stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie R Grafe
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0609, USA
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Berger R, Garnier Y. Pathophysiology of perinatal brain damage. BRAIN RESEARCH. BRAIN RESEARCH REVIEWS 1999; 30:107-34. [PMID: 10525170 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0173(99)00009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal brain damage in the mature fetus is usually brought about by severe intrauterine asphyxia following an acute reduction of the uterine or umbilical circulation. The areas most heavily affected are the parasagittal region of the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia. The fetus reacts to a severe lack of oxygen with activation of the sympathetic-adrenergic nervous system and a redistribution of cardiac output in favour of the central organs (brain, heart and adrenals). If the asphyxic insult persists, the fetus is unable to maintain circulatory centralisation, and the cardiac output and extent of cerebral perfusion fall. Owing to the acute reduction in oxygen supply, oxidative phosphorylation in the brain comes to a standstill. The Na(+)/K(+) pump at the cell membrane has no more energy to maintain the ionic gradients. In the absence of a membrane potential, large amounts of calcium ions flow through the voltage-dependent ion channel, down an extreme extra-/intracellular concentration gradient, into the cell. Current research suggests that the excessive increase in levels of intracellular calcium, so-called calcium overload, leads to cell damage through the activation of proteases, lipases and endonucleases. During ischemia, besides the influx of calcium ions into the cells via voltage-dependent calcium channels, more calcium enters the cells through glutamate-regulated ion channels. Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, is released from presynaptic vesicles during ischemia following anoxic cell depolarisation. The acute lack of cellular energy arising during ischemia induces almost complete inhibition of cerebral protein biosynthesis. Once the ischemic period is over, protein biosynthesis returns to pre-ischemic levels in non-vulnerable regions of the brain, while in more vulnerable areas it remains inhibited. The inhibition of protein synthesis, therefore, appears to be an early indicator of subsequent neuronal cell death. A second wave of neuronal cell damage occurs during the reperfusion phase. This cell damage is thought to be caused by the post-ischemic release of oxygen radicals, synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), inflammatory reactions and an imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems. Part of the secondary neuronal cell damage may be caused by induction of a kind of cellular suicide programme known as apoptosis. Knowledge of these pathophysiological mechanisms has enabled scientists to develop new therapeutic strategies with successful results in animal experiments. The potential of such therapies is discussed here, particularly the promising effects of i.v. administration of magnesium or post-ischemic induction of cerebral hypothermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Berger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany. richard.berger2ruhr-uni-bochum.de
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Abstract
Ambulatory management of multiple gestation requires careful and continuing care by the obstetrician. The initial evaluation should include a comprehensive history, including use of fertility enhancing drugs and ART, family history, social history; a general physical examination, including a pelvic examination; laboratory evaluation, including complete blood cell count, dipstick urinalysis for protein and glucose, urine culture, blood type, Rh factor and irregular blood antibody determination, serology for rubella, syphilis, hepatitis B surface antigen and varicella (if there is no history). A Papanicolaou smear should be done at the time of the pelvic examination, as should evaluation for bacterial vaginosis. Ultrasound assessment of placentation should be done at 14 weeks' gestation, but vaginal or perineal ultrasound of cervical length should be done at the initial visit. Other testing procedures should include repeat ultrasound evaluation for fetal growth every 4 weeks in a dichorionic placentation and every 3 weeks if monochorionic placentation is present. Triple screen MSAFP at 16-18 weeks' gestation and blood sugar screening at 22-26 weeks should be performed. After the first trimester, the patient should schedule physician visits every 2 weeks or less. Routine medications should include one prenatal vitamin per day, additional folic acid supplementation of 1.0 mg per fetus, supplemental iron preparation, and additional calcium to equal 1500 mg/day. The use of low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia in twin gestations has not been adequately studied. Continuing vigilance by the knowledgeable obstetrician should occur. Multiple gestations should not be cared for by non-physician providers or by family physicians. Referral to a maternal-fetal medicine unit is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Gall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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Machin GA, Keith LG. Can twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome be explained, and how is it treated? Clin Obstet Gynecol 1998; 41:104-13. [PMID: 9504229 DOI: 10.1097/00003081-199803000-00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G A Machin
- Permanente Medical Group, Department of Pathology, Oakland, California 94611-5693, USA
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Perlman JM, Broyles RS, Rogers CG. Neonatal neurologic characteristics of preterm twin infants <1,250 gm birth weight. Pediatr Neurol 1997; 17:322-6. [PMID: 9436796 DOI: 10.1016/s0887-8994(97)00132-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The study objectives were to determine the incidence, time of onset, and clinical characteristics of neonatal neurologic injury in preterm twin infants <1,250 gm birth weight. Forty-one twin infants of birth weight 929 gm +/- 160 and 27.3 +/- 1.96 weeks gestation were evaluated and compared to 225 singleton infants <1,250 gm. Seventeen infants were monozygotic and 24 dizygotic. Six of the 9 monozygotic pregnancies were complicated by the polyhydramnios/oligohydramnios syndrome; a weight discordancy of >20% was observed in 8 of the monozygotic twin sets and polycythemia (hematocrit >65%) in 3 infants. Nine (22%) of the 41 infants died. Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PV-IVH) developed in 11 (27%) of 41 infants and was severe in 9 (22%) infants. IVH was noted on day 1 (n = 2), day 2 (n = 3), and day 3 (n = 6). IVH developed in 69 (30%) of the 225 singletons and was severe in 28 (12%) infants. Twin infants were more likely to have been delivered via cesarean section, to have required intubation in the delivery room, and to have been administered surfactant as compared with singletons (P < .01). It was concluded that preterm twin infants <1,250 gm are at high risk for developing severe IVH, and that the onset of IVH was within the first 3 postnatal days in all cases.
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MESH Headings
- Age of Onset
- Double-Blind Method
- Humans
- Incidence
- Infant, Low Birth Weight/physiology
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Premature, Diseases/etiology
- Infant, Premature, Diseases/mortality
- Infant, Premature, Diseases/physiopathology
- Nervous System Diseases/etiology
- Nervous System Diseases/mortality
- Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology
- Survival Rate
- Twins, Dizygotic
- Twins, Monozygotic
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Perlman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9063, USA
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Good WV, Brodsky MC, Angtuaco TL, Ferriero DM, Stephens DC, Khakoo Y. Cortical visual impairment caused by twin pregnancy. Am J Ophthalmol 1996; 122:709-16. [PMID: 8909212 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)70491-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report a possible relationship between twin pregnancy and cortical visual impairment. METHODS Three children who had been the products of twin pregnancies were identified as having cortical visual impairment. One child (Patient 2), a dizygotic twin, developed cortical visual impairment after a preterm birth. Two children (Patients 1 and 3), the products of monochorionic pregnancies, developed cortical visual impairment. All children were examined ophthalmologically and neurologically. RESULTS An evaluation of the gestations of these children indicates that twin pregnancy per se was probably etiologic in the development of cortical visual impairment. In Patient 2, twin pregnancy probably caused preterm birth and resulting cortical visual impairment. In Patients 1 and 3, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome was the cause of cortical visual impairment. In Patient 1, fetal demise precipitated an acute twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Children who show cortical visual impairment at or shortly after birth should be evaluated for the possibility of twin pregnancy. Twin pregnancy increases the risk of neurologic damage, including damage to the visual cortex, to optic radiations, or both.
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Affiliation(s)
- W V Good
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0527, USA
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Lopriore E, Vandenbussche FP, Tiersma ES, de Beaufort AJ, de Leeuw JP. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: new perspectives. J Pediatr 1995; 127:675-80. [PMID: 7472815 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(95)70152-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E Lopriore
- Department of Pediatrics, Westeinde Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands
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