Results of a National Delphi consensus on the outpatient management of pediatric psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in the United States.

Background And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop national consensus based on expert opinion on the optimal outpatient care model of pediatric psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES).

Methods: A core working group (CWG) within the PNES special interest group of the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium was established. The CWG developed a rigorous scoring rubric to select experts in pediatric PNES within the United States of America and a three-round Delphi study was conducted to assess consensus on key components of the management of pediatric PNES in the outpatient setting.

Consideration of hereditary effects in the radiological protection system: evolution and current status.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the methodology used to estimate radiation genetic risks and quantify the risk of hereditary effects as outlined in the ICRP Publication 103. It aims to highlight the historical background and development of the doubling dose method for estimating radiation-related genetic risks and its continued use in radiological protection frameworks.

Results: This article emphasizes the complexity associated with quantifying the risk of hereditary effects caused by radiation exposure and highlights the need for further clarification and explanation of the calculation method.

Multidisciplinary Care May Help to Reduce Disparities Associated With Race in Youth With Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures.

Background: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a common type of functional neurological disorder in which patients experience seizurelike episodes. Health disparities based on race and socioeconomics, documented in children with epilepsy and adults with PNES, have not been reported in children and adolescents with PNES. We hypothesize that disparities exist in this population, which impact overall care and therefore influence outcomes.

Epidemiological and experimental evidence for radiation-induced health effects in the progeny after exposure in utero.

Purpose: It has been known for many decades that radiation exposure of the developing embryo or fetus may cause two fundamentally different types of severe health effects: on the one hand, radiation may interfere with the normal intrauterine development, on the other hand, radiation may induce leukemia and cancer which become manifest in childhood. A large amount of epidemiological and experimental data has recently been presented which might be used to improve our understanding of underlying mechanisms and setting radiation protection standards. Yet, ecological studies in the populations exposed to increased levels of radiation in regions contaminated by radioactivity released from reactor accidents (Chernobyl, Fukushima) do not provide solid evidence which would contribute to this aim.