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Larsen JL, Hansson H, Bisgaard AM, Stahlhut M. Psychological aspects of being a parent of an individual with Rett syndrome: A scoping review. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2024; 37:e13188. [PMID: 38369306 DOI: 10.1111/jar.13188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rett syndrome (RTT) causes multiple disabilities with a lifelong need for substantial care, placing a tremendous lifelong responsibility on the parents. Parenting an individual with RTT can therefore be challenging. Research on the psychological aspects of parenting individuals with RTT is limited and unclear. We aimed to identify and map the existing literature on this subject. METHOD A scoping review was conducted with systematic searches in PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL. RESULTS Eighteen studies were included. Negative and positive psychological aspects were described with the majority focusing on the negative. Three factors seemed to especially affect the parents: severity of the diagnosis, time (increasing age of parents or individual with RTT; years of caretaking), work-status of the mother. CONCLUSIONS Seemingly, parents are highly affected; however, the literature is scarce and has several gaps. Future research should include older parents, fathers, parents of individuals living in group homes, and positive aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Lunding Larsen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Center for Rett Syndrome, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helena Hansson
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Bisgaard
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Center for Rett Syndrome, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michelle Stahlhut
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cherchi C, Chiappini E, Chiarini Testa MB, Banfi P, Veneselli E, Cutrera R. Care Issues in Patients with Rett Syndrome: A Parental Perspective. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1713. [PMID: 37892376 PMCID: PMC10605630 DOI: 10.3390/children10101713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to better understand the way caregivers of patients with Rett syndrome perceive the quality of the health care services they receive and identify its main shortcomings. METHODS A survey was distributed to all caregivers who are part of AIRETT (the Italian Association of Relatives of Patients with RS). The survey gathered information on the management of relatives of patients with Rett syndrome. RESULTS The data refers to 52 patients, all females, with a median age of 15 years at the time of the survey. Concerning RS specificity, our data confirm the high complexity of this chronic, multifaceted condition, mainly characterized by the presence of epilepsy, apnea, severe scoliosis, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The specialists more frequently involved in the care of patients were general practitioners or family pediatricians (98%) and neurologists (92%), and more rarely physiatrists (71%). Only 15% of patients were followed by a pulmonologist, despite the fact that respiratory problems were frequent (apneas were present in 81% of patients, and 2% had a tracheostomy). Although 63.5% of patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and 2% had a gastrostomy, only 33% were followed by a gastroenterologist. Moreover, although orthopedic issues were present in 78.8% of patients, including severe scoliosis in 22% of them, only 25% were followed by an orthopedist. Furthermore, despite the fact that RS patients are fragile, about one quarter of them were not vaccinated. As far as organizational issues are concerned, several specialized centers are located in various regions throughout the country. As a consequence, the high mobility rate from one center to another resulted in non-homogeneous assistance. CONCLUSIONS The study shows that caregivers of RS patients take over most obligations and burdens by increasing their perceived level of stress. For the majority of patients, the most frequent complications were not followed by the reference subspecialist, with the only exception of epilepsy. Moreover, improving vaccination strategies for these patients is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cherchi
- Pediatric Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.B.C.T.); (R.C.)
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Infective Diseases, Anna Meyer Children’s University Hospital, 50100 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Chiarini Testa
- Pediatric Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.B.C.T.); (R.C.)
| | - Paolo Banfi
- Heart-Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy;
| | - Edvige Veneselli
- Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, DINOG-MI, University of Genoa, 16100 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Renato Cutrera
- Pediatric Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.B.C.T.); (R.C.)
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Lotan M, Downs J, Stahlhut M, Romano A. Evaluation Tools Developed for Rett Syndrome. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13101708. [PMID: 37238191 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a complex neurodevelopmental X-linked disorder associated with severe functional impairments and multiple comorbidities. There is wide variation in the clinical presentation, and because of its unique characteristics, several evaluation tools of clinical severity, behavior, and functional motor abilities have been proposed specifically for it. This opinion paper aims to present up-to date evaluation tools which have specifically been adapted for individuals with RTT often used by the authors in their clinical and research practice and to provide the reader with essential considerations and suggestions regarding their use. Due to the rarity of Rett syndrome, we found it important to present these scales in order to improve and professionalize their clinical work. The current article will review the following evaluation tools: (a) the Rett Assessment Rating Scale; (b) the Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale; (c) the Rett Syndrome Functional Scale; (d) the Functional Mobility Scale-Rett Syndrome; (e) the Two-Minute Walking Test modified for Rett syndrome; (f) the Rett Syndrome Hand Function Scale; (g) the StepWatch Activity Monitor; (h) the activPALTM; (i) the Modified Bouchard Activity Record; (j) the Rett Syndrome Behavioral Questionnaire; and (k) the Rett Syndrome Fear of Movement Scale. The authors recommend that service providers consider evaluation tools validated for RTT for evaluation and monitoring to guide their clinical recommendations and management. In this article, the authors suggest factors that should be considered when using these evaluation tools to assist in interpreting scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Lotan
- Department of Physiotherapy, Ariel University, Ariel 4070000, Israel
- Israeli Rett Syndrome National Evaluation Team, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel
| | - Jenny Downs
- Telethon Kids Institute, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Michelle Stahlhut
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Center for Rett Syndrome, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alberto Romano
- Department of Health System Management, Ariel University, Ariel 4070000, Israel
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Ak M, Akturk Z, Bowyer K, Mignon L, Pasupuleti S, Glaze DG, Suter B, Pehlivan D. Assessing the Burden on Caregivers of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. Pediatr Neurol 2022; 133:1-8. [PMID: 35716604 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder characterized by severe neurodevelopmental disorder, refractory epilepsy, recurrent infections, and functional gastrointestinal problems. Because of the significant clinical problems and lifelong disability of children with this disorder we hypothesized that the burden on parents/caregivers of these children is significant. However, there are no reports of the impact on caregivers of individuals with MDS. METHODS We developed and validated a burden scale to investigate the challenges of caregivers of children and adults with MDS and identified factors contributing to the burden on caregivers. We developed a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant patient registry for families with MDS and delivered caregiver burden survey through the registry. RESULTS Of 237 completed surveys, 101 were eligible for the study. We identified increased levels of self-perceived anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion in caregivers that correlated with higher burden scores. Epilepsy was the only clinical feature that caused a higher burden in caregivers of individuals with MDS. In addition, a higher burden was found in Hispanic caregivers. The duration of care negatively correlated with burden score. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate the burden on caregivers of individuals with MDS and identify several factors contributing to increased burden. Addressing these concerns has the potential to improve the health of individuals with MDS and contribute to the well-being of their caretakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muharrem Ak
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Zekeriya Akturk
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Sasidhar Pasupuleti
- Bioinformatics Core, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Daniel G Glaze
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Blue Bird Circle Rett Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Bernhard Suter
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Blue Bird Circle Rett Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Davut Pehlivan
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Blue Bird Circle Rett Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
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Zwilling M, Romano A, Favetta M, Ippolito E, Lotan M. Impact of a Remotely Supervised Motor Rehabilitation Program on Maternal Well-Being During the COVID-19 Italian Lockdown. Front Psychol 2022; 13:834419. [PMID: 35345633 PMCID: PMC8957072 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.834419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 Lockdown was particularly challenging for most mothers of people with intellectual disabilities, including those with Rett syndrome (RTT), leading to feelings of abandonment from healthcare services of their children. Within those days, telerehabilitation has represented a valid alternative to support physical activity and treatment, supporting parents in structuring their children’s daily routine at home. This article aims to describe the well-being level of two groups of mothers of girls and women with RTT who were involved in a home-based remotely supervised motor rehabilitation program, respectively, before and during the COVID-19 Italian lockdown. Forty participants with classic RTT were recruited before the lockdown and randomly assigned to two groups that performed the intervention immediately before (Group 1) and during (Group 2) the lockdown, respectively. The intervention included an individualized daily physical activity program carried out for 12 weeks by participants’ parents and fortnightly supervised throughout Skype contacts to plan, monitor, and accommodate individual activities in the participant’s life at home. The short form Caregivers Well-Being Scale was collected for the mothers in each group 12 weeks before intervention (T1), at intervention initiation (T2), immediately after intervention termination (T3), as well as at 12 weeks after intervention termination (T4). Mothers of participants in the Group 1 showed a stable level of well-being across all four evaluations with a slight improvement during the lockdown, without significant change. Similarly, the well-being level of mothers in the Group 2 showed a statistically significant increase in their well-being between T2 and T3 (during the lockdown) and its reduction to the pre-intervention level between T3 and T4 (after the lockdown). The results suggest that the lockdown did not negatively affect the participants’ mothers’ well-being, leading to its improvement. Moreover, the proposed intervention could have supported the mothers in managing the new daily routine at home, positively affecting maternal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moti Zwilling
- Department of Economics and Business Administration, Ariel University, Ari'el, Israel
| | - Alberto Romano
- Department of Health System Management, Ariel University, Ari'el, Israel.,Movement Analysis and Robotics Laboratory, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Centro AIRETT Ricerca e Innovazione (CARI), Research and Innovation Airett Center, Verona, Italy
| | - Martina Favetta
- Movement Analysis and Robotics Laboratory, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Meir Lotan
- Department of Physiotherapy, Ariel University, Ari'el, Israel.,Israeli Rett Syndrome National Evaluation Team, Sheba Hospital, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Roidi MLR, Toshimori K, Colletti A, Ripamonti E, Olivieri I. A semi-standardized music therapy intervention for girls with Rett syndrome: A descriptive essay. J Pediatr Rehabil Med 2022; 15:323-334. [PMID: 35001899 DOI: 10.3233/prm-200736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in a wide range of functional impairments and therefore greatly impacts the lives of both patients and their families. While genetic and medical aspects have been studied for several decades, rehabilitation intervention research is still in its infancy. In this study, the investigating researchers have presented a rehabilitative framework by using music therapy for girls with RTT. This model is founded upon the use of music therapy in light of Stern's proposal of subjective experience and affect attunement; it also refers to Rosenbaum's family-centered rehabilitation medicine perspective. This study both describes the theory behind this intervention and presents a newly developed outcome measure. This novel tool may have future clinical and research applications. Music therapy for patients with RTT has not been well researched yet, and, as a result, is not universally recommended. However this study's findings suggest that music therapy is an important component of multidisciplinary therapy. Further collaborative research should be encouraged in order to study and implement the use of music therapy in the treatment of severe disabilities. Projects such as the Enablin+ program with the support from the European Commission constitute fundamental tools in promoting integrative medical research and international networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Enrico Ripamonti
- Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Department of Economics and Management, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Hirano D, Goto Y, Shoji H, Taniguchi T. Comparison of the presence and absence of an intervention to reduce hand stereotypies in individuals with Rett syndrome. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2021; 35:607-622. [PMID: 34962025 DOI: 10.1111/jar.12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated how many individuals with Rett syndrome were undergoing interventions to reduce stereotypic hand movements and the factors determining the presence or absence of an intervention. METHOD A questionnaire was sent to 194 families. Each survey item was compared between the intervention and non-intervention groups according to the presence or absence of interventions to reduce hand stereotypies. RESULTS Information was acquired from 72 cases; 72.1% of individuals had received an intervention to reduce stereotypies at some point in their lives. An upper limb splint was the most common intervention. Age, locomotor and reaching function, diagnostic age, frequency and type of stereotypy, joint contractures and stereotypy-associated problems separated the presence or absence of a current or past intervention. CONCLUSIONS Interventions for stereotypy-associated problems are important and there are several variables related to whether an intervention is received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Hirano
- Graduate School of Health and Welfare Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Goto
- Graduate School of Health and Welfare Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shoji
- Laboratory of Physiology, College of Education, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takamichi Taniguchi
- Graduate School of Health and Welfare Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara, Japan
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Siracusano M, Riccioni A, Gialloreti LE, Segatori E, Arturi L, Vasta M, Porfirio MC, Terribili M, Galasso C, Mazzone L. Parental Stress and Disability in Offspring: A Snapshot during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11081040. [PMID: 34439660 PMCID: PMC8391692 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parenting a child with a disability, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic syndromes, implies a high level of stress. During the COVID-19 outbreak—as a period implying additional challenges—few studies have specifically investigated caregivers’ distress among neurodevelopmental disabilities. The objective of the study is to investigate whether during the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of parental stress differs between four disability groups including neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and genetic syndromes (Rett syndrome (RTT), Sotos syndrome (SS)) in comparison to families with typical development offspring (TD). In total, 220 Italian parents of children affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities (74 ASD, 51 ADHD, 34 SS, 21 RTT, 40 TD; age M 9.4 ± SD 4.2) underwent a standardized evaluation for stress related to parenting through the self-report questionnaire, Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). The main findings show greater levels of parental stress—mainly linked to child behavioral characteristics rather than parental sense of competence—in parents of children affected by a disability in comparison to children with typical development. This study highlights the need to support not only individuals with special needs but also their own caregivers: core figures in the management and outcome of children disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Siracusano
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-0620900249
| | - Assia Riccioni
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Eugenia Segatori
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucrezia Arturi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michelangelo Vasta
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Cristina Porfirio
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Monica Terribili
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Cinzia Galasso
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luigi Mazzone
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Fondazione PTV, Oxford Street 81, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.R.); (L.A.); (M.V.); (M.C.P.); (M.T.); (C.G.); (L.M.)
- Systems Medicine Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
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