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Hodges E, Marcus CL, Kim J, Xanthopoulos M, Shults J, Giordani B, Beebe DW, Rosen CL, Chervin RD, Mitchell RB, Katz ES, Gozal D, Redline S, Radcliffe J, Thomas NH. 0754 Depressive Symptomatology in School-Aged Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Incidence, Demographic Factors, and Changes Following a Randomized Controlled Trial of Adenotonsillectomy. Sleep 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsy061.753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - C L Marcus
- Sleep Center, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - J Kim
- Sleep Center Biostatistical and Informatics Core, Center for Human Phenomic Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - M Xanthopoulos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - J Shults
- Biostatistical and Informatics Core, Center for Human Phenomic Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - B Giordani
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - D W Beebe
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - C L Rosen
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - R D Chervin
- Department of Neurology and Sleep Disorders Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - R B Mitchell
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern and Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Dallas, TX
| | - E S Katz
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - D Gozal
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - S Redline
- Departments of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - J Radcliffe
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - N H Thomas
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Behavioral Neuroscience Core, Center for Human Phenomic Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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Thomas NH, Xanthopoulos MS, Kim JY, Shults J, Escobar E, Giordani B, Hodges E, Chervin RD, Paruthi S, Rosen CL, Taylor GH, Arens R, Katz ES, Beebe DW, Redline S, Radcliffe J, Marcus CL. Effects of Adenotonsillectomy on Parent-Reported Behavior in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep 2017; 40:2982587. [PMID: 28199697 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsx018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with behavioral abnormalities. Studies on the effects of OSAS treatment on behavior are conflicting, with few studies using a randomized design. Further, studies may be confounded by the inclusion of behavioral outcome measures directly related to sleep. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adenotonsillectomy on behavior in children with OSAS. We hypothesized that surgery would improve behavioral ratings, even when sleep symptom items were excluded from the analysis. Methods This was a secondary analysis of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) data, with and without exclusion of sleep-specific items, from the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT). CBCL was completed by caregivers of 380 children (7.0+1.4 [range 5-9] years) with OSAS randomized to early adenotonsillectomy (eAT) versus 7 months of watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC). Results There was a high prevalence of behavioral problems at baseline; 16.6% of children had a Total Problems score in the clinically abnormal range. At follow-up, there were significant improvements in Total Problems (p < .001), Internalizing Behaviors (p = .04), Somatic Complaints (p = .01), and Thought Problems (p = .01) in eAT vs. WWSC participants. When specific sleep-related question items were removed from the analysis, eAT showed an overall improvement in Total (p = .02) and Other (p = .01) problems. Black children had less improvement in behavior following eAT than white children, but this difference attenuated when sleep-related items were excluded. Conclusions This large, randomized trial showed that adenotonsillectomy for OSAS improved parent-rated behavioral problems, even when sleep-specific behavioral issues were excluded from the analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa S Xanthopoulos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.,Sleep Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Biostatistical and Informatics Cores of the Clinical and Translational Research Center and
| | - Justine Shults
- Biostatistical and Informatics Cores of the Clinical and Translational Research Center and
| | - Emma Escobar
- Biostatistical and Informatics Cores of the Clinical and Translational Research Center and
| | - Bruno Giordani
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Michigan
| | - Elise Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Michigan
| | - Ronald D Chervin
- Department of Neurology and Sleep Disorders Center, University of Michigan
| | | | - Carol L Rosen
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
| | - Gerry H Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
| | - Raanan Arens
- Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | - Eliot S Katz
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital
| | - Dean W Beebe
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Susan Redline
- Departments of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Jerilynn Radcliffe
- Neurobehavioral and.,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Carole L Marcus
- Sleep Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania
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Whitaker AM, Thomas NH, Krivitzky LS, Ficicioglu CH. Neuropsychological implications of Cobalamin C (CblC) disease in Hispanic children detected through newborn screening. Appl Neuropsychol Child 2017; 7:143-149. [PMID: 28071971 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2016.1270211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cobalamin C (CblC) disease is the most common inborn error of cobalamin metabolism and recent data has indicated a higher prevalence among children of Hispanic heritage in particular. The purpose of this study was to (a) describe the neuropsychological characteristics of a pilot sample of Hispanic children with CblC disease and (b) explore potential differences in outcome based on underlying genetic mutation(s) and biochemical levels. Six Hispanic children (ages 2-10) diagnosed with CblC disease through newborn screening (NBS) underwent neuropsychological evaluation with a bilingual examiner. Biochemical levels and underlying mutation(s) were obtained through medical records. The overall sample performed below normative expectations across neuropsychological domains, including general cognition, adaptive functioning, language ability, and visual-motor integration. Underlying mutations and associative clinical phenotypes were found to significantly predict general cognitive abilities, while plasma methionine and Hcy at the time of diagnosis were significantly correlated with language outcomes. Despite limited sample size, results indicate that Hispanic children with CblC disease detected through NBS and treated early experience neuropsychological deficits even when treated with current standard treatments. However, consistent with prior research in non-Hispanic children with CblC disease, underlying mutations and early biochemical levels may predict better outcomes in this population as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Whitaker
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Nina Hattiangadi Thomas
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Lauren S Krivitzky
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Can H Ficicioglu
- b Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics , CHOP , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
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Taylor HG, Bowen SR, Beebe DW, Hodges E, Amin R, Arens R, Chervin RD, Garetz SL, Katz ES, Moore RH, Morales KH, Muzumdar H, Paruthi S, Rosen CL, Sadhwani A, Thomas NH, Ware J, Marcus CL, Ellenberg SS, Redline S, Giordani B. Cognitive Effects of Adenotonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Pediatrics 2016; 138:peds.2015-4458. [PMID: 27464674 PMCID: PMC4960728 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-4458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research reveals mixed evidence for the effects of adenotonsillectomy (AT) on cognitive tests in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The primary aim of the study was to investigate effects of AT on cognitive test scores in the randomized Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial. METHODS Children ages 5 to 9 years with OSAS without prolonged oxyhemoglobin desaturation were randomly assigned to watchful waiting with supportive care (n = 227) or early AT (eAT, n = 226). Neuropsychological tests were administered before the intervention and 7 months after the intervention. Mixed model analysis compared the groups on changes in test scores across follow-up, and regression analysis examined associations of these changes in the eAT group with changes in sleep measures. RESULTS Mean test scores were within the average range for both groups. Scores improved significantly (P < .05) more across follow-up for the eAT group than for the watchful waiting group. These differences were found only on measures of nonverbal reasoning, fine motor skills, and selective attention and had small effects sizes (Cohen's d, 0.20-0.24). As additional evidence for AT-related effects on scores, gains in test scores for the eAT group were associated with improvements in sleep measures. CONCLUSIONS Small and selective effects of AT were observed on cognitive tests in children with OSAS without prolonged desaturation. Relative to evidence from Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial for larger effects of surgery on sleep, behavior, and quality of life, AT may have limited benefits in reversing any cognitive effects of OSAS, or these benefits may require more extended follow-up to become manifest.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Gerry Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Susan R. Bowen
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Dean W. Beebe
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Raouf Amin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Raanan Arens
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ronald D. Chervin
- Neurology and Sleep Disorders Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Susan L. Garetz
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Sleep Disorders Center, University of Michigan Health Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Eliot S. Katz
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Reneé H. Moore
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Knashawn H. Morales
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hiren Muzumdar
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Shalini Paruthi
- Department of Pediatrics, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Carol L. Rosen
- Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Anjali Sadhwani
- Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nina Hattiangadi Thomas
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuropsychology and Assessment Group, and
| | - Janice Ware
- Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Carole L. Marcus
- Department of Pediatrics, Sleep Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Susan S. Ellenberg
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Susan Redline
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Marcus CL, Moore RH, Rosen CL, Giordani B, Garetz SL, Taylor HG, Mitchell RB, Amin R, Katz ES, Arens R, Paruthi S, Muzumdar H, Gozal D, Thomas NH, Ware J, Beebe D, Snyder K, Elden L, Sprecher RC, Willging P, Jones D, Bent JP, Hoban T, Chervin RD, Ellenberg SS, Redline S. A randomized trial of adenotonsillectomy for childhood sleep apnea. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:2366-76. [PMID: 23692173 PMCID: PMC3756808 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1215881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 857] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adenotonsillectomy is commonly performed in children with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, yet its usefulness in reducing symptoms and improving cognition, behavior, quality of life, and polysomnographic findings has not been rigorously evaluated. We hypothesized that, in children with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome without prolonged oxyhemoglobin desaturation, early adenotonsillectomy, as compared with watchful waiting with supportive care, would result in improved outcomes. METHODS We randomly assigned 464 children, 5 to 9 years of age, with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome to early adenotonsillectomy or a strategy of watchful waiting. Polysomnographic, cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 7 months. RESULTS The average baseline value for the primary outcome, the attention and executive-function score on the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (with scores ranging from 50 to 150 and higher scores indicating better functioning), was close to the population mean of 100, and the change from baseline to follow-up did not differ significantly according to study group (mean [±SD] improvement, 7.1±13.9 in the early-adenotonsillectomy group and 5.1±13.4 in the watchful-waiting group; P=0.16). In contrast, there were significantly greater improvements in behavioral, quality-of-life, and polysomnographic findings and significantly greater reduction in symptoms in the early-adenotonsillectomy group than in the watchful-waiting group. Normalization of polysomnographic findings was observed in a larger proportion of children in the early-adenotonsillectomy group than in the watchful-waiting group (79% vs. 46%). CONCLUSIONS As compared with a strategy of watchful waiting, surgical treatment for the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in school-age children did not significantly improve attention or executive function as measured by neuropsychological testing but did reduce symptoms and improve secondary outcomes of behavior, quality of life, and polysomnographic findings, thus providing evidence of beneficial effects of early adenotonsillectomy. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; CHAT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00560859.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole L Marcus
- Department of Pediatrics, Sleep Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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Kirkham FJ, Haywood P, Kashyape P, Borbone J, Lording A, Pryde K, Cox M, Keslake J, Smith M, Cuthbertson L, Murugan V, Mackie S, Thomas NH, Whitney A, Forrest KM, Parker A, Forsyth R, Kipps CM. Movement disorder emergencies in childhood. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2011; 15:390-404. [PMID: 21835657 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2011.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2011] [Accepted: 04/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The literature on paediatric acute-onset movement disorders is scattered. In a prospective cohort of 52 children (21 male; age range 2mo-15y), the commonest were chorea, dystonia, tremor, myoclonus, and Parkinsonism in descending order of frequency. In this series of mainly previously well children with cryptogenic acute movement disorders, three groups were recognised: (1) Psychogenic disorders (n = 12), typically >10 years of age, more likely to be female and to have tremor and myoclonus (2) Inflammatory or autoimmune disorders (n = 22), including N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis, opsoclonus-myoclonus, Sydenham chorea, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute necrotizing encephalopathy (which may be autosomal dominant), and other encephalitides and (3) Non-inflammatory disorders (n = 18), including drug-induced movement disorder, post-pump chorea, metabolic, e.g. glutaric aciduria, and vascular disease, e.g. moyamoya. Other important non-inflammatory movement disorders, typically seen in symptomatic children with underlying aetiologies such as trauma, severe cerebral palsy, epileptic encephalopathy, Down syndrome and Rett syndrome, include dystonic posturing secondary to gastro-oesophageal reflux (Sandifer syndrome) and Paroxysmal Autonomic Instability with Dystonia (PAID) or autonomic 'storming'. Status dystonicus may present in children with known extrapyramidal disorders, such as cerebral palsy or during changes in management e.g. introduction or withdrawal of neuroleptic drugs or failure of intrathecal baclofen infusion; the main risk in terms of mortality is renal failure from rhabdomyolysis. Although the evidence base is weak, as many of the inflammatory/autoimmune conditions are treatable with steroids, immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, or cyclophosphamide, it is important to make an early diagnosis where possible. Outcome in survivors is variable. Using illustrative case histories, this review draws attention to the practical difficulties in diagnosis and management of this important group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Kirkham
- Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
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Abstract
Inborn errors of urea synthesis lead to an accumulation of ammonia in blood and brain and result in high rates of mortality and neurodevelopmental disability. This study seeks to characterize the cognitive, adaptive, and emotional/behavioral functioning of children with urea cycle disorders (UCDs). These domains were measured through testing and parent questionnaires in 92 children with UCDs [33 neonatal onset (NO), 59 late onset (LO)]. Results indicate that children who present with NO have poorer outcome than those who present later in childhood. Approximately half of the children with NO performed in the range of intellectual disability (ID), including a substantial number ( approximately 30%) who were severely impaired. In comparison, only a quarter of the LO group was in the range of ID. There is also evidence that the UCD group has difficulties in aspects of emotional/behavioral and executive skills domains. In conclusion, children with UCDs present with a wide spectrum of cognitive outcomes. Children with NO disease have a much higher likelihood of having an ID, which becomes even more evident with increasing age. However, even children with LO UCDs demonstrate evidence of neurocognitive and behavioral impairment, particularly in aspects of attention and executive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Krivitzky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
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Wilmshurst JM, Thomas NH, Robinson RO, Bingham JB, Pohl KR. Lower limb and back pain in Guillain-Barré syndrome and associated contrast enhancement in MRI of the cauda equina. Acta Paediatr 2001; 90:691-4. [PMID: 11440105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study assesses the frequency of lower limb and back pain in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome and reviews the magnetic resonance imaging results of those undergoing spinal imaging. Over an 8-y period, nine children presented with various combinations of severe back pain, leg pains, impairment of gait and bladder dysfunction. Guillain-Barré syndrome was confirmed on clinical examination and peripheral electrophysiology (n = 8). Magnetic resonance imaging in four patients, following contrast injection, showed enhancement of the cauda equine and, additionally, of the cervical nerve roots in one of the patients. A further patient, who was not scanned with contrast, had abnormal thickening of the lumbar roots. Carbamazepine and steroids were effectively used for analgesia in three cases. All the patients recovered. CONCLUSION Guillain-Barré syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with back and/or leg pain. Early diagnosis ensures prompt monitoring for autonomic dysfunction and respiratory compromise.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Newcomen Centre, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
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van der Knaap MS, Naidu S, Breiter SN, Blaser S, Stroink H, Springer S, Begeer JC, van Coster R, Barth PG, Thomas NH, Valk J, Powers JM. Alexander disease: diagnosis with MR imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2001; 22:541-52. [PMID: 11237983 PMCID: PMC7976831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To date, the demonstration of Rosenthal fibers on brain biopsy or autopsy specimens is considered a prerequisite for a definitive diagnosis of Alexander disease. We initiated a multiinstitutional survey of MR abnormalities in both presumed and confirmed cases of Alexander disease to assess the possibility of an MR-based diagnosis. METHODS MR imaging studies in three patients with an autopsy-based diagnosis of Alexander disease were analyzed to define MR criteria for the diagnosis. These criteria were then applied to 217 children with leukoencephalopathy of unknown origin. RESULTS Five MR imaging criteria were defined: extensive cerebral white matter changes with frontal predominance, a periventricular rim with high signal on T1-weighted images and low signal on T2-weighted images, abnormalities of basal ganglia and thalami, brain stem abnormalities, and contrast enhancement of particular gray and white matter structures. Four of the five criteria had to be met for an MR imaging-based diagnosis. In a retrospective analysis of the MR studies of the 217 patients, 19 were found who fulfilled these criteria. No other essentially new MR abnormalities were found in these patients. In four of the 19 patients, subsequent histologic confirmation was obtained. The clinical symptomatology was the same in the patients with and without histologic confirmation and correlated well with the MR abnormalities. MR abnormalities were in close agreement with the known histopathologic findings of Alexander disease. CONCLUSION The defined criteria are sufficient for an in vivo MR imaging diagnosis of Alexander disease; only in atypical cases is a brain biopsy still necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S van der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Pook MA, Al-Mahdawi SA, Thomas NH, Appleton R, Norman A, Mountford R, Chamberlain S. Identification of three novel frameshift mutations in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. J Med Genet 2000; 37:E38. [PMID: 11073547 PMCID: PMC1734466 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.37.11.e38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Abstract
A survey of women in two highly developed rural counties of China, Sichuan and Jiangsu Provinces, was carried out in late 1991, to gain information about demographic and economic change between 1980 and 1990. Three separate surveys were conducted: the first a questionnaire administered to married women aged 30-39, eliciting information about childbearing and contraception, as well as the social and economic background of the respondents; the second, focus group interviews emphasizing the motivation for childbearing. Official information about the selected villages, townships and counties was also collected. National level data in 1987 show that individual reproductive behaviour in China failed to conform to a universal, effectively implemented, population policy. They imply either a spatial range of policies, or great diversity in the demand for children, or perhaps a combination of both. Such diversity in reproductive behaviour is also found in the study area. The purpose of the analysis was to examine the diversity in reproductive behaviour and contraceptive practice, and to discover whether differentials are influenced by area, or else exist between individuals within areas. If the former, then the explanation may be found in differences in policy formulation and implementation between areas: and if the latter, to demand for children, or else differential application of policy restrictions. The main findings were that: (1) the explanation of the pattern of fertility and contraceptive use is to be found at the individual level (within locations) rather than in policy differences between administrative units; (2) the association between income and number of children is negative, as is that between income and the propensity for uniparous women to remain unsterilized. The theory that privilege may be exercised to gain concessions from birth planning cadres is therefore not supported; (3) ideal family size differentials are largely absent, showing that social (education) and economic (income, occupation) characteristics are not responsible for differences in reproductive motivations, and implying that the nature of the demand for children is very different from that in most rural areas of the Third World; (4) data on ideal family size by sex of the existing offspring indicate only a weak preference for sons. The low demand for children, and the weak son preference, may both be explained by the social acceptability of uxorilocal marriages, and of village endogamy, together with the prohibitive costs of children, and especially of sons. This partly results from the expense of education, but most mothers emphasize marriage costs. It is speculated that the circumstances responsible for the escalating costs of children in the two countries are likely to pertain in growing areas of the country, with the privatization of education and health services, the declining support of collective institutions, and the replacement of this function by kinship networks. These on-going changes imply that any policy of reproductive restriction for the purposes of population control is likely soon to meet with diminishing resistance; and it may later be rendered unnecessary in the eyes of government officials, as fulfilled reproductive intentions lead to a fertility level below replacement level.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Thomas
- Department of City and Regional Planning, University of Wales, Cardiff
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Taylor JE, Thomas NH, Lewis CM, Abbs SJ, Rodrigues NR, Davies KE, Mathew CG. Correlation of SMNt and SMNc gene copy number with age of onset and survival in spinal muscular atrophy. Eur J Hum Genet 1998; 6:467-74. [PMID: 9801871 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood-onset autosomal recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is associated with absence of the telomeric survival motor neuron gene (SMNt) in most patients, and deletion of the neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene in the majority of severely affected patients. Analysis of SMNt has been complicated by the existence of a centromeric copy, SMNc, which is almost identical to SMNt but which can be distinguished from it by restriction enzyme analysis. In this study 143 SMA patients have been genotyped for the presence or absence of the SMNt, SMNc and NAIP genes, and the data correlated with quantifiable clinical variables. Although a significant correlation was observed between the presence or absence of the NAIP gene and the severity of the clinical phenotype in SMA patients generally, there was no difference in age of onset or survival in type I patients with the NAIP+ or NAIP- genotype. Fluorimetric PCR analysis of SMNc gene dosage in 57 patients homozygous for the absence of the SMNt gene but in whom the NAIP gene was present showed a highly significant correlation between SMNc copy number and SMA subtype, and between SMNc copy number and both age of onset and length of survival. The data provide strong statistical support for the emerging consensus that the clinical phenotype in SMA is directed primarily by the level of functional SMN protein. The lower SMNc copy number in type I patients in whom the NAIP gene is present suggests that the SMNt gene is removed by deletion in the majority of such patients, rather than by gene conversion as is the case in SMA types II and III.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Taylor
- Division of Medical and Molecular Genetics, United Medical School of Guy's Hospital, London, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Haworth
- Department of Dermatology, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, UK
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Chalmers RM, Lamont PJ, Nelson I, Ellison DW, Thomas NH, Harding AE, Hammans SR. A mitochondrial DNA tRNA(Val) point mutation associated with adult-onset Leigh syndrome. Neurology 1997; 49:589-92. [PMID: 9270602 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.49.2.589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh syndrome) is associated with a number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abnormalities. We studied a family with maternally inherited encephalomyelopathy. Two siblings developed adult-onset Leigh syndrome. Muscle biopsy specimens showed enhanced succinic dehydrogenase activity and cytochrome oxidase-negative fibers. We sequenced the ATPase- and transfer RNA (tRNA)-encoding genes of mtDNA and identified a novel mtDNA valine tRNA mutation at base pair 1644. This transversion was heteroplasmic in blood and muscle in all individuals studied, and the proportion of mutant mtDNA correlated with disease severity. This is the first heteroplasmic transversion within a mtDNA tRNA gene and the second pathogenic mtDNA tRNA(Val) mutation to be associated with human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Chalmers
- Neurogenetics Section, University Department of Clinical Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
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Abstract
A 9-week-old infant who sustained a nonaccidental cervical spine fracture with spinal cord injury is reported. Such an injury has not been previously reported in such a young child. The clinical features raised initial difficulties in diagnosis, and management was hampered by the lack of recorded experience of such an injury in such a young infant. Conservative management was employed and the infant has made a partial recovery. The distinctive features of spinal injury in young children are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Thomas
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
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17
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Abstract
The clinical features of 36 patients who satisfied the diagnostic criteria for type I (severe) spinal muscular atrophy (Werdnig-Hoffmann disease) are reported. Survival data for both the whole cohort and for groups within the cohort subdivided on the age of onset are presented. These data suggest that the patients with onset at birth or within the first 2 months of life have a more uniformly poor prognosis with earlier death. This is of potential importance in any therapeutic trials in the future whose outcome may be based on length of survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Thomas
- Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K
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Thomas NH, Heckmatt JZ, Rodillo E, Ransley YF, Dubowitz V. Continuous muscle fibre activity (Isaacs' syndrome) in infancy: a report of two cases. Neuromuscul Disord 1994; 4:147-51. [PMID: 8012196 DOI: 10.1016/0960-8966(94)90007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Two cases of continuous muscle fibre activity in infancy are reported. Both infants were severely affected and died from respiratory failure. Treatment with phenytoin and carbamazepine produced only temporary improvement. Electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence suggests that the site of the lesion in infancy, as in older patients, is in the terminal nerve endings or motor end plate. Continuous muscle fibre activity occurring in infancy seems to be more severe than in older children or adults and seems refractory to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Thomas
- Department of Paediatrics, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K
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19
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Abstract
The cases are reported of 13 children seen over a 22 month period who presented with a variety of acute neurological illnesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Although presentation with a decreased level of consciousness or seizures was common, psychosis, hemiparesis, cranial nerve palsies, and Guillain-Barré syndrome were also seen. In contrast with published reports, only one child had an associated chest infection. Although some children have been left with residual disability, most have made a complete recovery. In this recent experience, M pneumoniae is a not rare cause of neurological illness in childhood and may present in unusual ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Thomas
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Guy's Hospital, London
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20
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Smith LJ, Thomas NH. Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus. Am J Dis Child 1993; 147:817. [PMID: 8352209 DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1993.02160320019006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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21
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Abstract
A calculation method has been developed to model the statistical transport of biological particles in bubble-driven flows, with special reference to the biokinetics of environmental excursions experienced by individual cells, aggregated cells, or immobilization beads in airlift bioreactors. Interim developments on modeling the transport of such particles in concentric tube devices are reported. The calculation is driven by user-prescribed global parameters for the bioreactor geometry, bulk air flow rate, and particle parameters (size and slip speed). The algorithm calls on empirical data correlations for void fraction, bulk liquid flow rate, and bubble sizes and slip speeds, optimally selected from a large bibliographic database. The Monte Carlo algorithm concentrates on simulating particle transport in the bubbly riser flows.The packaged family of correlations and calculations represents, in effect, an expert system augmented by a transport simulation suited to characterizing the biokinetic response of cells cultured in airlift bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Snape
- Fluid and Surface Transport Team, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England
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22
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Daniels RJ, Suthers GK, Morrison KE, Thomas NH, Francis MJ, Mathew CG, Loughlin S, Heiberg A, Wood D, Dubowitz V. Prenatal prediction of spinal muscular atrophy. J Med Genet 1992; 29:165-70. [PMID: 1348091 PMCID: PMC1015890 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.29.3.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common cause of inherited morbidity and mortality in childhood. The wide range of phenotypes in SMA, uncertainty regarding its mode of inheritance, and the suggestion of linkage heterogeneity have complicated the genetic counselling of parents of affected children. The locus responsible for autosomal recessive SMA has been mapped to 5q11.2-q13.3. The most likely order of loci is cen-D5S6-(SMA,D5S125)-(JK53CA1/2,D5S112)-D5S3 9-qter, with highly polymorphic loci being identified at JK53CA1/2 and D5S39. We describe linkage studies with another highly polymorphic locus, D5S127, that is closely linked to D5S39. This genetic map can be used as the basis for genetic counselling in families with autosomal recessive SMA. Appropriate allowance can be made for sporadic cases owing to non-inherited causes and for linkage heterogeneity or misdiagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Daniels
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford
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23
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Abstract
Linkage data between four markers on chromosome 5 confirm and extend our previous studies that localized the mutation in spinal muscular atrophy to 5q11.2-q13.3. Localization of D5S6 by in situ hybridization refines the mapping of the defective gene to the region 5q12.2-q13. We also report the use of a highly informative PCR-based polymorphism with five alleles. This RFLP will be particularly useful for prenatal diagnosis where only old tissue samples from affected individuals are available. The high heterozygosity of this locus should also assist in identifying recombinants that will refine the genetic mapping of the mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Daniels
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom
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24
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Thomas NH. Storage times for Guthrie cards. BMJ 1991; 302:117. [PMID: 1995114 PMCID: PMC1668883 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.302.6768.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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25
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Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder which presents as a severe, intermediate or mild condition. The disease selectively affects the alpha motor neuron but nothing is as yet known about the underlying biochemical defect. Recent genetic studies have mapped all three types of SMA to the same region of human chromosome 5 (5q11.2-q13.3) raising the possibility that the mutations may be allelic. Polymorphic DNA markers have been characterised which are suitable for prenatal diagnosis. This is the first step in the isolation of the mutant gene (or genes) involved in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Davies
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, U.K
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