Gastroschisis Complicated by Septo-Optic Dysplasia: Two Distinct Anomalies with a Common Origin

Increasing incidence of optic nerve hypoplasia/septo-optic dysplasia spectrum: Geographic clustering in Northern Canada

Introduction

Owing to the shared embryonic origin, defects in development of optic nerves are often seen in conjunction with defects affecting the surrounding brain and pituitary gland. Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) and septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) represent a clinical spectrum associated with visual, pituitary and severe central nervous system structural abnormalities (SODplus). Based on changing clinical patterns, our primary objective was to examine trends in annual incidence of ONH/SOD and geographical clustering in Manitoba.

Methods

This was a retrospective 1996 to 2015 chart review with extraction of anthropometric measures, radiologic findings, parental characteristics, endocrinopathies and neurologic symptoms from all involved in care. Postal codes were used to assign map co-ordinates and identify relevant census-based deprivation indices.

Results

Ninety-three children were identified in our catchment area; Poisson regression confirmed a striking 1.11-fold annual increase (95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.16) or ~800% over two decades. The annual incidence (averaged 2010 to 2014 chart data) reached 53.3 per 100,000, affecting 1 in 1875 live births. Most (~55%) had SODplus. Common presenting features were hypoglycemia, nystagmus, seizures and developmental delay; 40% had hormone deficiencies; 80% had reduced visual acuity, typically bilateral. Many were premature with young, primiparous mothers. Unhealthy maternal lifestyles and severe material deprivation were noted. There was disproportionate clustering in individuals from Northern Manitoba at three times the average provincial rate.

Conclusion

We noted a dramatic rise in the annual incidence of ONH/SOD, which was strongly associated with poverty and northern communities. The pattern was consistent with environmental or nutritional etiologies. Many children were severely affected with increased morbidity and health care burdens.

Brain Lesions in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Introduction:

Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (US CP) is the second most common subtype of cerebral palsy.

Aim:

The aim of the study was to analyze neuroimaging findings in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

Material and methods:

The study was hospital based, which has included 106 patients with US CP (boys 72/girls 34, term 82/preterm 24). Neuroimaging findings were classified into 5 groups: Brain maldevelopment, predominant white matter injury, predominant gray matter injury, non specific findings and normal neuroimaging findings.

Results:

Predominant white matter lesions where the most frequent (48/106,45.28%; term 35/preterm 13), without statistically significant difference between term and preterm born children (x2=0.4357; p=0.490517). Predominant gray matter lesions had 32/106 children, 30.19%; (term 25/preterm 7, without statistically significant difference between term and preterm born children (x2=0.902; p=0.9862). Brain malformations had 10/106 children, 9.43%, and all of them were term born. Other finding had 2/106 children, 1.89%, both of them were term born. Normal neuroimaging findings were present in14/106 patients (13.21%).

Conclusion:

Neuroimaging may help to understand morphological background of motor impairment in children with US CP. Periventricular white matter lesions were the most frequent, then gray matter lesions.