A TWIN STUDY OF BANNATYNE''S "GENETIC DYSLEXIC" SUBTYPE

Bannatyne's proposed "genetic dyslexic" subtype of reading disability (RD) was evaluated using data obtained from 60 (30 monozygotic and 30 dizygotic) pairs of affected twins (in which at least one member of each pair has a reading disorder) and 60 pairs of control twins. The predicted spatial greater than conceptual greater than sequential pattern of means was found to be reliable and specific to the RD sample. While this study does not provide conclusive evidence on the genetic etiology of the proposed subtype, our results do indicate that individuals with this particular profile may constitute a specific subtype of reading disability.     

VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND "DISSOCIATION OF MATURATION": THE HAZARDS OF THE SENSORI-MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT: "Very low birth weight" and "Dissociation of Maturation" are two conditions with great impact on the sensor motor development. Data from our own research into the development of VLBW infants, clinical experience and insight, taken from the scientific literature, are the starting-point for intellectual reflex ion on the significance of motor development for the sense of competence, growing autonomy, vigor and vitality. Moreover, the muscle tone of the infant has a profound impact on the mother-infant relationship: especially the holding function of the mother and the playful togetherness between baby and care-giver.
"Anticipatory guidance" for mother and infants, by professionals, should be based on firm knowledge of neuromotor growth. "Prone progression", truncal balance and upright posture are of the utmost importance even for psychological individuation.     

"STRESS" POLYCYTHAEMIA AND PERIPHERAL FACIAL PALSY COMPLICATIONS OF SEVERE HYPERTENSION

Abstract. An 11-month-old boy had an episode of generalized convulsions followed by a right peripheral facial palsy, which resolved gradually within 3 weeks. Three months later he had another similar episode of convulsions followed by a left peripheral facial palsy. On both occasions it was found that he had polycythaemia. A careful physical examination discovered that the child had severe hypertension. Extensive laboratory investigations did not reveal a cause for his hypertension. Haematologic investigations showed that the polycythaemia was due to a contracted plasma volume as a result of the hypertension. The peripheral facial palsy most probably was due to a blood clot in the facial canal, below the origin of the nerve to m. stapedius, as audiograms were normal and lacrimation preserved. Control of the hypertension resulted in resolution of the facial palsy within 4 weeks and normal haematocrit readings within 6 weeks. It should be stressed that every patient with peripheral facial palsy should be examined for hypertension.     

LONG-TERM EFFECT OF PREVIOUS SWIMTRAINING IN GIRLS. A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF THE "GIRL SWIMMERS"

ABSTRACT. Thirty girls, studied in 1961 after 2.5 years of intensive swimtraining, were the subject of a follow-up for ten years. When last examined, seven and ten years after the original study, all the girls had given up swimtraining. The increased values for vital capacity observed in 1961 remained unchanged, but residual volume, functional residual capacity and total lung capacity showed small increases even after corrections for body growth. Such increases are, however, normal in these years. Heart volume which was high originally, was found to be lower ten years later, although mean values were still higher than normal. The decrease seen from 1961 to 1971 could mainly be ascribed to a decrease in the subjects with the largest hearts originally. Both total hemoglobin and blood volume decreased to normal values in relation to body size. Maximal oxygen uptake, though, fell from 2.80 1/min (51.4 ml/kg × min) to 2.18 1/min (36.4 ml/kg × min) ten years later. It is suggested that the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system declined more markedly than its dimensions.     

NORMAL/TRISOMY C MOSAICISM IN THE MOTHER OF A "MONGOLOID" CHILD

Chromosomal studies in a young mother (under 30 years of age) of a “mongol” child revealed a normal/trisomy C mosaicism in both skin and blood cultures. This mother has given birth to three live children, including the “mongol” child. This is the first report of such a finding in a young mother of a “mongol”