Comparison of 3 instruments to measure muscle strength in children: A prospective study.

Aim: To establish which instrument is the most valid and reliable measure of muscle strength in children aged 4-11 years and can improve the diagnostic procedure in children with suspected myopathy to spare more of them from muscle biopsy.

Methods: In a prospective study over a 2 year period, 22 patients aged 4-11 years were recruited. They had all been referred to our specialist centre on the suspicion of myopathy.

Antihypertensive treatment during pregnancy and functional development at primary school age in a historical cohort study.

Objective: To determine the functional development of children born after treatment of mild-to-moderate gestational hypertension with labetalol versus methyldopa, and no antihypertensive treatment.

Design: Historical cohort study.

Setting: Twelve Dutch hospital departments of obstetrics.

Muscle reflexes and synergies triggered by an unexpected support surface height during walking.

An important phase in the step cycle is foot contact. When the moment of foot contact differs from the one expected, a fast response is needed. Such a mismatch can be caused by hitting a support surface earlier or later than expected.

Validity and reproducibility of the Jamar dynamometer in children aged 4-11 years.

Purpose: Validity and reproducibility of the Jamar dynamometer were evaluated in children aged 4-11 years.

Method: Hand grip strength was measured on the dominant side and non-dominant side in 67 patients who had been referred to our specialist centre in the past 3 years because of suspected myopathy. All the patients had had muscle biopsy.

A new motor performance test in a prospective study on children with suspected myopathy.

In the development of a new diagnostic motor performance test to spare more children from painful muscle biopsy, seven functional items were used to measure muscle strength and muscle endurance in a prospective study on new patients. Over a 2-year period, 22 patients (12 males, 10 females; mean age 8y 1mo [SD 2y 6mo], range 4-11y) were recruited for the study. They had all been referred with suspected myopathy.