· The frequency of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis (CwG) was not significantly influenced by the pandemic. · The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has further diversified the etiologic enteric viral pathogens of CwG. |
Question: Did coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affect the frequency, seasonal variation, or virus type of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis (CwG)? Findings: We compared 41 cases of CwG before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. After March 2020, frequency did not change significantly (18 patients vs. 23 patients), seasonal variation was lost, and number of cases of enteric adenovirus-associated CwG increased (1 cases vs. 7 cases). Meaning: The COVID-19 pandemic affected CwG. |
Question: Is helmet therapy effective for positional plagiocephaly? What factors influence helmet therapy efficacy for positional plagiocephaly? Finding: Helmet therapy is effective for infants with moderate to severe positional plagiocephaly, and its effectiveness is influenced by age at treatment initiation, severity of head asymmetry, and daily duration of helmet wear. Meaning: Pediatricians should initiate helmet therapy for positional plagiocephaly sooner, ideally before 9 months of age, to maximize treatment efficacy. |
Question: What are the current palliative care protocols, palliative course, and implementable palliative care programs for hospitalized pediatric patients with neurological diseases in Italy? Finding: We studied 34 newborns with nervous system diseases, all of whom had a poor prognosis. Meaning: Despite current legislation in Italy, no palliative care network has been implemented. Given the vast number of patients with neurological conditions, standardized palliative care guidelines and protocols are required. |
· The gut microbiota can alter a host’s brain development and behavior. · Gut bacteria communicate with the brain via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. · Fecal microbial transplantation is a promising treatment strategy for autism spectrum disorder. |
· Electroencephalography (EEG) records brain activity with high temporal resolution. · EEG source localization, combined with other functional or structural imaging methods, provides information about brain network and connectivity in clinical neuroscience. · EEG source localization identifies brain location from electrical current sources in several neuropsychiatric diseases such as epilepsy, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety disorders. |
· Electroencephalography (EEG) directly images the electrical activity of neurons at a higher temporal resolution than other neuroimaging techniques. · EEG is still widely used in brain function research due to its advantages. · Forward and inverse problems of EEG analyses require solutions. · Methods such as the dipole and distributed source models have been introduced. · Applications of EEG are expanding with the integration of other technologies and large-scale data. |
An accurate diagnosis depends on correct history taking and its interpretation. An in-depth understanding of the symptoms of syncope in connection with its pathophysiology can lead to avoiding critical pitfalls in the diagnostic process of history taking. |
· A neurodiagnostic evaluation (lumbar puncture, blood tests, electroencephalography, and neuroimaging) is not indicated in most patients with simple febrile seizures. · A lumbar puncture is indicated when a central nervous system infection is suspected in any patient with febrile seizures. · Blood tests (glucose, electrolytes, and complete blood count) are indicated in patients with persistent seizure after benzodiazepine treatment, prolonged loss of consciousness, poor general condition, or signs of dehydration. |
· Fetal myelomeningocele closure significantly improved long-term neurological cognitive, behavioral, functional, and quality of life outcomes, most likely by reducing hydrocephalus rates. · However, fetal myelomeningocele closure is associated with a significant risk of pregnancy complications, especially premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery. |
· Diverse clinicoradiological features of central nervous system (CNS) complications in rotavirus infection can be identified with the rapid and wide use of various brain magnetic resonance imaging protocols. · An increased understanding of the various pathophysiological mechanisms of rotavirus-induced CNS manifestations will enable precise management in the future. |
∙ Rotavirus infection-associated central nervous system (CNS) complications are fairly common in children. ∙ Common clinicoradiological features include benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis, acute encephalopathies/encephalitis, cerebellitis, and neonatal rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy. ∙ Possible mechanisms for CNS complications include direct viral invasion into the brain via several potential routes such as the blood-brain barrier and vagus nerve, and entry of various brain-damaging mediators and activated immune cells into the brain. |
∙ The main pathogen for benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis (CwG) was previously rotavirus; however, cases associated with norovirus are increasing. ∙ CwG is characterized by clustered generalized seizures. Electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging show transiently abnormal findings in the acute phase that eventually normalize with progression. Its prognosis is good, and long-term treatment is unnecessary. ∙ There are many reports on the pathophysiological mechanism of CwG, which remains unclear. |
· Neonatal seizures are often electrographic-only seizures without clinical signs; therefore, the identification of electrical seizure activity on electroencephalography is the gold standard for diagnosis. · Clinical signs of neonatal seizures are divided into motor or nonmotor seizures, and motor seizures are mostly focal or multifocal. · Most neonatal seizures are caused by acute symptomatic etiologies, but in cases of intractable seizures, structural, genetic, or metabolic etiologies should be investigated. |
Question: What comorbidities are increased in children with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT)? Are there differences in the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with CMT who received physical therapy versus those who did not? Finding: The risk of congenital musculoskeletal deformities is increased in CMT. Children who did not receive physical therapy were at greater risk of neurodevelopmental delay. Meaning: In CMT, musculoskeletal comorbidities should be identified and active early treatment provided. |
· The innovation of healthcare information communication technology (ICT) was accelerated with the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). · Telemedicine currently has no technical barriers. · EHRs and personal health records are being connected, and mobile/wearable technologies are being integrated into them. · Conventional rule-based clinical decision support systems have already been implemented and used in EHRs and PHRs. Artificial intelligence/machine learning improves precision and accuracy. |
· Big data analysis, such as common data model and artificial intelligence, can solve relevant questions and improve clinical care. · Recent deep learning studies achieved 0.887–0.996 areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for automated interictal epileptiform discharge detection. · Recent deep learning studies achieved 62.3%–99.0% accuracy for interictal-ictal classification in seizure detection and 75.0%– 87.8% sensitivity with a 0.06–0.21/hr false positive rate in seizure forecasting. |
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has many important biomarkers that are commonly analyzed in pediatric neurologic diseases, including central nervous system infection and inflammation. Neurologic disease in pediatrics is difficult to diagnosis, there are challenges in developing CSF profiles. Some biomarkers are expected to help differential diagnosis. |
· Pediatric cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) components have been extensively evaluated as biomarkers of various neurologic diseases. · Several promising candidate CSF biomarkers, including Tau, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, S100β, and interleukins, have been studied in pediatric patients with seizure disorders, central nervous system infections, inflammation, tumors, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injuries, intraventricular hemorrhage, and congenital hydrocephalus. · Circulating microRNAs in the CSF are a promising class of biomarkers for various neurological diseases. |
∙ Prevalence rate of developmental disabilities has been reported from 8% to 15% and its rate is increasing worldwide. ∙ The critical period of intervention for developmental delay is before the child reaches 3 years of age. ∙ All primary care pediatricians should conduct developmental surveillance and screening tests to infants and children at scheduled visits. Through this, they are liable for providing early identification and timely intervention. |
Neonatal encephalopathy is the most important reason for morbidity and mortality. The early detection of neonate with high risk for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and treatment are important for prevent long term complication. Hypothermia is currently standard treatment option for HIE. Several clinical studies have been performed due to improve the long term outcome. New therapeutic options including xenon, allopurinol, erythropoietin, topiramate will help to reduce neuropsychiatric disability. |
∙ Cognitive impairments occur in children with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) even without neuromotor deficits. ∙ Therapeutic hypothermia has improved neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with HIE; however, 40% of children remain at risk of death/disability or cognitive impairments necessitating the development of adjunctive neuroprotective therapies. ∙ Long-term follow-up until adolescence is required to identify cognitive dysfunction. ∙ A pattern of watershed injury on brain imaging is associated with poor cognitive outcomes. |
·Neurobiological studies using functional brain imaging have uncovered the reading pathways, brain regions involved in reading, and neurobiological abnormalities of dyslexia. ·An accurate diagnosis and timely specialized intervention are important in children with dyslexia. When national infant development screening tests have been conducted as in Korea, if a language developmental delay and early predictors of dyslexia are detected, the progression to dyslexia should be carefully observed and early intervention provided. |
Paroxysmal nonepileptic events (PNE) comprise of a variety of nonepileptic behaviors and are divided into various types. A more accurate diagnosis is possible by examining the video clip provided by the caregiver. In infants, physiologic PNE accounts for the majority of the PNE. It is important to exclude epilepsy, for which blood tests, electroencephalography, and imaging tests can facilitate differential... |
Behavioral therapy, the most widely proven intervention for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is required for life for individuals with ASD. Parent involvement, early detection, and early therapy play important roles. We must organize the risk factors for ASD and develop a screening tool that can be easily applied in the clinical, daycare, or school setting. |
Question: Although neurologic complications have been reported during the acute phase of infection in children, less is known about the postinfectious phenomenon associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) virus. Finding: We present a case of a 7-year-old female with a prior asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2 who subsequently developed encephalopathy and status epilepticus in association with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody positivity. Meaning: Here we present the first case of postinfectious of a MOG spectrum disorder associated with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in a pediatric patient. |
• Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are events that look like epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical discharges. • PNES are a manifestation of psychological and emotional distress. • Treatment for PNES does not begin with the psychological intervention but starts with the diagnosis and how the diagnosis is delivered. • A multifactorial biopsychosocial process and a neurobiological review are both essential components when treating PNES |
MOG antibody-associated disorder exhibits different pathophysiological and phenotypic findings than both aquaporin-4 antibody-associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and typical MS. MOG-antibody is of particular interest in pediatric patients with clinical or radiological non-MS typical findings. MOG-antibody was included in a diagnostic algorithm for children recommending for the first time a standardized use in clinical practice except in cases of typical MS. |