Radiation doses to children with shunt-treated hydrocephalus

Background Children with shunt-treated hydrocephalus are still followed routinely with frequent head CT scans. Objective To estimate the effective dose, brain and lens doses from these examinations during childhood, and to assess dose variation per examination. Materials and methods All children born between 1983 and 1995 and treated for hydrocephalus between 1983 and 2002 were included. We retrospectively registered the number of examinations and the applied scan parameters. The effective dose was calculated using mean conversion factors from the CT dose index measured free in air, while doses to the lens and brain were estimated using tabulated CT dose index values measured in a head phantom. Results A total of 687 CT examinations were performed in 67 children. The mean effective dose, lens dose and brain dose to children over 6 months of age were 1.2 mSv, 52 mGy and 33 mGy, respectively, and the corresponding doses to younger children were 3.2 mSv, 60 mGy and 48 mGy. The effective dose per CT examination varied by a factor of 64. Conclusion None of the children was exposed to doses known to cause deterministic effects. However, since the threshold for radiation-induced damage is not known with certainty, alternative modalities such as US and MRI should be used whenever possible.     

儿童脑积水发病机制的研究进展

脑积水是一种脑脊液生理代谢过程紊乱所致的常见疾病,其损伤机制为脑室系统异常扩张并对周围脑组织造成损害.儿童脑积水随发病年龄和发病原因的不同可表现出个体化的临床症状,同时此类疾病容易造成儿童脑发育迟滞,因此了解疾病的发生机制及病因、早期诊断以提出针对性的治疗策略尤为重要.该文主要对儿童脑积水病理生理、病因及特征性临床表现的研究进行综述.     

Learning, memory and executive functions in children with hydrocephalus

AIMS: To explore learning, memory and executive abilities in children with hydrocephalus without learning disabilities, and to find out whether children with an isolated hydrocephalus differed from those with hydrocephalus in combination with myelomeningocele (MMC). METHODS: Thirty-six children with an intelligence quotient (IQ) of >or=70 from a population of all the 107 children with hydrocephalus born in western Sweden in 1989-1993 were examined and compared with age- and gender-matched controls. The neuropsychological assessment of the school-aged child (NIMES) test battery was used. RESULTS: The children with hydrocephalus differed significantly from controls in all functions apart from registration skills and recognition. Learning, memory and executive functions were all impaired. Twenty children with infantile hydrocephalus did not differ from those with hydrocephalus associated with MMC. Also, children with an IQ of >84 performed significantly worse than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an IQ of >or=70, children with hydrocephalus had significantly impaired learning, memory and executive functions. When major brain lesions resulting in learning disability had been excluded, the hydrocephalus, rather than the underlying aetiology, was most important for the development of cognitive functions.     

Shunt revision in hydrocephalus

Objective : A retrospective analysis of 50 hydrocephalic children having a minimum follow-up of 6 months was carried out to see their etiology, clinical features, complications, incidence of shunt revisions, outcome and the variation from their Western counterparts.Methods : Clinical features, image findings and treatment of all the cases were recorded from their discharge summaries. Record of shunt revision complications and outcome was maintained by the principal author. The data of all the cases were analyzed.Results : The age of children varied from 1 month to 12 yr (mean 2.2 yr). The most common etiology of hydrocephalus was aqueductal stenosis in 18 (36%) children. Post infective hydrocephalus, either of post-tubercular meningitis (TBM) or following bacterial meningitis, remained the cause in 15 children (30%). Congenital TORCH infection was responsible for 3 cases of hydrocephalus making infective etiology as the cause in 18 (36%) cases. Intra 4^th ventricular neurocysticercus cyst caused blockade of CSF pathway in 2 children. 15 out of 50 children required shunt revision, either due to infection (8,16%) or shunt obstruction (7, 14%). Multiple shunt revisions were required in 2 children only. These revisions were required due to infection, obstruction or malfunction of the shunt.Conclusions : Infective etiology is responsible for hydrocephalus in significant number of children (36%). The possibility of TORCH infection, as a cause of hydrocephalus should be considered even amongst the children of screened mothers during antenatal check-up. Pure intra 4^th ventricular neurocysticercus cysts (without intraparenchymal cyst), though rare, can manifest with outlet obstruction. Incidence of shunt revision using Chhabra’s medium pressure shunt is very high in children at an average follow up of 1.6 yr. Post infective hydrocephalus is a major cause of delayed milestones, contributing to mental retardation.     

A new generation of anticonvulsants for the treatment of epilepsy in children

Over the past 12 years, a number of new anticonvulsant drugs have been introduced for the treatment of childhood epilepsy. The present article reviews these new agents and provides the considerations one should use in selecting an antiepileptic drug for use in children. While in some cases the newer antiepileptic drugs have a more favourable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile than the older drugs, there appears to be no objective evidence that any currently available antiepileptic drug is superior in terms of therapeutic efficacy.     

Long-term outcome in children with low grade tectal tumours and obstructive hydrocephalus

BackgroundNeuropsychological deficits after treatment of paediatric brain tumour are well known, but not the role of hydrocephalus in these deficits.AimsTo study long-term neurological, cognitive, and behavioural deficits in children with a low grade tectal tumour and acquired obstructive hydrocephalus.MethodsIn a consecutive series of 12 children with low-grade tectal tumour diagnosed in our hospital between 1994 and 2008, neurologic, neuropsychological, and radiologic data were prospectively collected. Intelligence, memory, attention, language, visual-spatial, and executive functions were assessed. Median follow-up was 2 years and 9 months.ResultsAt follow-up, most frequent neurologic disability was fatigue in children with a low-grade tectal tumour. They scored lower on sustained attention, long-term memory and had more behavioural problems. Factor influencing cognition was persisting severe hydrocephalus at time of assessment. The cognitive problems resulted in 60% of children needing assistances of special services at school.ConclusionsAt long-term, children with a low-grade tectal tumour display invalidating neuropsychological impairments resulting in educational problems. Adequate treatment of hydrocephalus may result in better cognitive functioning. Our findings suggest that part of the symptoms of the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome may not have resulted from a cerebellar lesion itself but rather from a cerebral dysfunction or compression of supratentorial structures in the cerebello-cortical circuitry due to the obstructive hydrocephalus.     

小儿难治性癫痫62例药物治疗分析

目的评价抗癫痫药单药大剂量及联合用药治疗小儿难治性癫痫的疗效.方法在血药浓度监测下对54例患儿投予大剂量卡马西平(CBZ)或丙戊酸钠(VPA),无效者及呈混合类型发作者采取联合用药方式.结果单用CBZ者11%发作获完全控制,单用VPA者15%发作停止.这些患儿的血药浓度均已达到或超过有效浓度的上限.全组单药或联合用药共17例(27%)患儿获控制,16例(26%)发作减少50%以上.结论难治性癫痫患儿可以采用单药大剂量治疗及联合用药的方法,但应注意监测血药浓度,以避免发生中毒反应.     

早产儿脑室周围-脑室内出血继发脑积水的高危因素

目的 探讨早产儿脑室周围-脑室内出血(PVH-IVH)继发脑积水的高危因素,为早产儿PVH-IVH继发脑积水的防治提供依据.方法 2007年6月至2012年6月入住NICU、出生3～7d床旁头颅B超检查结果提示存在PVH-IVH的早产儿214例,根据预后不同分为单纯PVH-IVH组(n=161)和PVH-IVH继发脑积水组(n=53),采用单因素分析和多因素Logistic回归分析调查PVH-IVH后继发性脑积水的高危因素.结果 单因素分析显示,男童、胎龄＜28周、出生体质量＜1000 g、重度窒息、PVH-IVH Ⅲ级或Ⅳ级、代谢性酸中毒、低钠血症、低血糖症或高血糖症等8个因素与早产儿PVH-IVH继发脑积水的发生相关(P均＜0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,男童(OR =3.317)、重度窒息(OR=13.838)、PVH-IVHⅢ级或Ⅳ级(OR=43.281)、低钠血症(OR =2.731)是早产儿PVH-IVH继发脑积水的独立危险因素(P均＜0.05).结论 男童、重度窒息、PVH-IVHⅢ级或Ⅳ级、低钠血症与早产儿PVH-IVH继发脑积水的发生密切相关,早产儿出现PVH-IVH后,应高度重视这些因素,以预防脑积水的发生.     

托吡酯对癫癎患儿糖代谢的影响

目的了解托吡酯治疗后癫癎患儿血糖、胰岛素、食欲、甘丙肽、瘦素变化,探讨托吡酯对糖代谢的影响.方法采用放射免疫法测定2003年2～10月在河北省儿童医院就诊的41例癫癎患儿服用托吡酯(3.93±1.60)mg/(kg·d)4个月前后血浆甘丙肽和血清瘦素和空腹血糖、胰岛素的浓度,并了解食欲变化.结果服药后的血糖由4.87mmol/L降至4.69mmol/L;胰岛素由6.78mIU/L升至7.42mIU/L;甘丙肽服药后由26.14ng/L降到20.46ng/L;而瘦素则从(1.32±0.57)μg/L升为(1.91±1.10)μg/L.服药前有4例食欲不好,服药后有19例出现食欲减退.结论服用托吡酯会引起体内血糖降低、胰岛素升高、食欲下降,这些变化可能为托吡酯导致的甘丙肽降低和瘦素升高所致.     

Effects of topiramate on weight and metabolism in children with epilepsy

Aim:  To explore the mechanism of topiramate-induced weight loss in epilepsy children by monitoring metabolism indices.
Methods: Children with epilepsy were treated with topiramate at their first clinical visit. Metabolism indices including body mass index (BMI) and its SD scores, leptin, adiponectin, leptin/adiponectin (L/A), lipid profile-insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessments (HOMA) index were collected before and after treatment.
Results:  Topiramate treatment significantly reduced L/A ( t = 2.156, p = 0.031), and markedly increased the serum level of adiponectin ( t = 3.124, p = 0.002). Moreover, there were no relationships between the metabolism indices and dosages of topiramate (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:  Our studies find that topiramate treatment in epilepsy children increases energy metabolism, resulting in weight loss. It has been demonstrated that adiponectin play a significant role in metabolic regulations.     

脑性瘫痪合并癫(疒间)的临床特征及危险因素探讨

目的探讨脑性瘫痪患儿伴发癫癎的临床特点及其相关危险因素。方法对2004-01—2005-12期间青岛市残疾儿童医疗康复中心治疗的185例脑瘫患儿进行详细的病史采集、脑电图以及影像学检查、认知功能评定,分析不同类型脑瘫患儿癫癎的伴发率、发作类型、发病年龄等临床特征,采用Logistic逐步回归分析验证性别、出生体重、新生儿期惊厥史、围生期高危因素、认知水平、影像学改变等因素对合并癫癎的影响效应。结果25.9%(48/185例)脑瘫患儿伴发了癫癎,脑瘫类型包括痉挛型四肢瘫、偏瘫、双瘫、混合型、失调型和不随意运动型。这6型脑瘫患儿癫癎伴发率依次为58.97%、31.58%、16.07%、20.69%、12.5%和7.14%;伴发癫癎的患儿中29例(60.42%)在1岁内发病,而痉挛偏瘫和失调型脑瘫伴发癫癎发病都在1岁之后。Logistic回归分析发现产时高危因素、新生儿期惊厥史、IQ/DQ低下、影像学显示皮质受损均是伴发癫癎的危险因素,早产、新生儿疾病、孕期因素与伴发癫癎无明显关系,而单纯脑白质损伤是脑瘫伴发癫癎的保护性因子。结论癫癎是脑瘫患儿的常见并发症,尤其见于四肢瘫和偏瘫,往往较早发病,以婴儿痉挛和部分性发作为主要类型。新生儿期惊厥史、IQ/DQ低下、皮质受损对脑瘫患儿伴发癫癎有预示价值。     

脑室-腹腔分流术治疗新生儿脑积水及预后评价

目的探讨脑室-腹腔分流术（V—P分流术）治疗新生儿脑积水的疗效及预后。方法回顾性分析2008年1月至2011年12月于复旦大学附属儿科医院行V-P分流术的24例新生儿脑积水患儿,采用CT扫描,观察脑室扩张情况,并运用贝莉婴儿发育量表（BayleyScalesofInfantDevelopment—Ⅱ,BSID-Ⅱ）及DevelopmentalQuotient（DQ,发育商）对患儿手术前后神经功能发育进行评价。结果新生儿脑积水V-P分流术后随访脑室扩张指数（V／BP值×100）术前：68．2±23．2,术后12个月为5．3±4．8（P〈0．01）;BSID—Ⅱ示智力发展指数（MDI）术后12个月为89．6±1．1．2,运动发展指数（PDI）术后12个月为95．7±14．8;DQ术后12个月为94．8±13．6。结论V—P分流手术对脑积水新生儿的神经功能恢复有一定疗效。     

非传统抗癫(癎)药物防治小儿癫(癎)的研究进展

癫(癎)是儿童神经系统的常见病和多发病,严重危害儿童的身心健康.目前,抗癫(癎)药物仍然是治疗儿童癫(癎)的主要手段,传统的抗癫癎药物疗效确切但不良反应较大,患者不易耐受,并且部分患者出现耐药.非传统抗癫(癎)药物疗法可能在药物难治性癫(癎)以及不能耐受抗癫(癎)药物毒性的患儿中发挥一定的作用.     

Risk factors for epilepsy in children with neonatal encephalopathy

We examined neonatal predictors of epilepsy in term newborns with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) by studying children enrolled in a longitudinal, single center cohort study. Clinical data were obtained through chart review, and MRI was performed in the neonatal period. We administered a seizure questionnaire to parents of children aged ≥ 12 mo (range, 12 mo to 16.5 y) to determine the outcome of epilepsy. The association between clinical predictors and time to onset of epilepsy was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Thirteen of 129 children developed epilepsy: all had neonatal seizures and brain injury on neonatal MRI. Of the newborns with neonatal seizures, 25% (15.8/1000 person-years) developed epilepsy, with the highest hazard ratios (HRs) in the newborns with status epilepticus (HR, 35.8; 95% CI, 6.5-196.5). Children with severe or near-total brain injury were more likely to develop epilepsy compared with those with only mild or moderate injury (HR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.8-16.8). In a multivariable analysis adjusting for degree of encephalopathy and severe/near-total brain injury, status epilepticus was independently associated with epilepsy. These data add to information regarding epilepsy pathogenesis and further aid clinicians to counsel parents regarding the likelihood that a newborn with NE will develop epilepsy.     

Risk factors for epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy

The purpose of the study was to identify predictive risk factors for epilepsy among children with cerebral palsy. We conducted a retrospective study of the clinical characteristics of children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy in comparison to those of children with cerebral palsy without epilepsy. The examined parameters included: the prevalence and the age of onset of the seizures, the clinical subgroup of cerebral palsy and subtype of epileptic seizures. We looked for possible risk factors including the presence of neonatal seizures, the imaging findings, the gestational age at delivery, the adjusted birth weight, the mode of delivery, the Apgar scores, and the head size as well as the presence of consanguinity. Epilepsy occurred in 33% of the studied children. Almost 50% of the epileptic children had their first seizure within the first 12 months of life. Neonatal seizures were strong predictors for epilepsy (p < 0.001). Presence of at least one abnormal structural finding (particularly brain atrophy) was also a significant predictor of epilepsy (p < 0.003). Low Apgar score at 5 min after birth and birth at term were also found more frequently among patients with epilepsy, although when adjusted with other risk factors, Apgar score did not reach statistical significance. The mode of delivery, head circumference, adjusted birth weight, gender and ethnic group, consanguineous marriage and prematurity were not found to be risk factors for the occurrence of epilepsy in these children.     

儿童急性白血病耐碳青酶烯革兰阴性菌感染危险因素及预后分析

背景：耐碳青酶烯革兰阴性菌(CRO)感染近年来呈上升趋势,并与重症感染率和病死率显著相关。 目的：分析CRO感染危险因素及预后,为预防CRO提供依据。 设计：病例对照研究。 方法：回顾性分析上海交通大学医学院附属上海市儿童医院血液肿瘤科2012年1月至2019年12月急性白血病（除外急性早幼粒细胞白血病）化疗后革兰阴性菌感染患儿的临床资料,比较CRO和碳青酶烯类敏感革兰阴性菌(CSO)感染患儿的临床特征、预后因素和重症感染率。 主要结局指标：CRO感染的危险因素和经验性抗感染治疗72 h内重症感染发生率。 结果：91例患儿101例次革兰阴性菌感染数据纳入本研究,CSO组76例次,CRO组25例次;急性淋巴细胞白血病67例次(66.3%),急性髓系白血病34例次(33.7%)。多变量Logistic分析提示,标本采集前30 d内使用碳青霉烯类药物>10 d(OR=6.201,95%CI：1.339～28.729,P=0.020)是CRO的独立危险因素。经验性抗感染治疗72 h内重症感染率24.7%(25/101),CRO组（14/25,56.0%）高于CSO组（11/76,14.4%）,差异有统计学意义(χ2=17.417,P=0.000)。住院期间死亡5例,均为CRO患儿。 结论：急性白血病患儿CRO感染后重症感染率高。30 d内使用碳青霉烯类药物>10 d是CRO感染的独立危险因素。     

Risk factors for dyslipidemia in Chinese children

Abstract Aim: Since the mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease continues to increase, research into dyslipidemia has been emphasized in not only adults but also paediatric populations. We aimed to study the risk factors of dyslipidemia in Chinese children. Methods: Nine hundred and sixty-two children, aged 6-18 years, in Beijing were enrolled. For each child, data were collected on body height (cm), body weight (kg), sitting height (cm), waist circumference, upper arm circumference, serum lipid levels, as well as familial history of dyslipidemia and early onset cardiovascular disease. Subgroups were determined on the basis of age and sex. Results: The prevalence rate of dyslipidemia was 11.1% (107/962). Children with dyslipidemia differed significantly from those without, in sitting height, upper arm circumference, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and diastolic and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis suggested that WHR, diastolic blood pressure and positive familial history were risk factors for dyslipidemia in children. Conclusion: Sitting height, upper arm circumference, BMI, WHR, diastolic pressure and systolic pressure were significantly higher in dyslipidemic children than in normal subjects in China. BMI, WHR, diastolic pressure and familial history of dyslipidemia and early-onset cardiovascular disease were risk factors for dyslipidemia in Chinese children.