Scoliosis Development in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: The Influences of Genetic Severity, Functional Level, and Disease-Modifying Treatments.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by abnormalities of the survival motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene, leading to deficiency in SMN protein and loss of spinal cord alpha motor neurons. Newer disease-modifying agents (DMA) targeting the involved genes, including nusinersen and gene replacement therapies, have improved gross motor and respiratory function, but their impact on scoliosis development has not been established. This study aimed to determine risk factors for scoliosis development in SMA, specifically genetic severity and DMA use.

Clinical utility of comprehensive gene panel testing for common and rare causes of skeletal dysplasia and other skeletal disorders: Results from the largest cohort to date.

Molecular genetics enables more precise diagnoses of skeletal dysplasia and other skeletal disorders (SDs). We investigated the clinical utility of multigene panel testing for 5011 unrelated individuals with SD in the United States (December 2019-April 2022). Median (range) age was 8 (0-90) years, 70.

Hip Displacement in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: The Influences of Genetic Severity, Functional Level, and Disease-modifying Treatments.

Purpose: Hip displacement (HD) is common in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but neither genetic severity nor gross motor function level have been investigated as risk factors. Although disease-modifying agents (DMA) have improved function and overall health, their effects on the prevention of HD are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors for HD development in SMA.

Tracheal Narrowing and Its Impact on Anesthesia Care in Patients With Morquio A (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA): An Observational Study.

Background: Recently, tracheal narrowing has been recognized as a significant comorbid condition in patients with Morquio A, also known as mucopolysaccharidosis IVA. We studied a large cohort of patients with Morquio A to describe the extent of their tracheal narrowing and its relationship to airway management during anesthesia care.

Methods: This is an observational study, collecting data retrospectively, of a cohort of patients with Morquio A.

Walking status and spinopelvic parameters in young children with achondroplasia: 10-year follow-up.

Purpose: Thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) is common in children with achondroplasia and resolves in 90% by 10 years of age. Our purpose was to describe the natural progression of TLK in a cohort of pre-walking children with achondroplasia.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective review identified 62 children (32 male, 30 female) with achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia natural history study (CLARITY): 60-year experience in orthopedic surgery from four skeletal dysplasia centers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and risk factors for orthopedic surgery in patients with achondroplasia. CLARITY (The Achondroplasia Natural History Study) includes clinical data from achondroplasia patients receiving treatment at four skeletal dysplasia centers in the United States from 1957 to 2018. Data were entered and stored in a Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database.

Predictors of Rod Length Gain and Sagittal Alignment Change After Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod Lengthening.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: There are preoperative characteristics that predict rod lengthening of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR). The lengthening of MCGR will lead to increased kyphosis.

Posterior cervical spinal fusion in the pediatric population using modern adult instrumentation - clinical outcome and safety.

Purpose: Traditionally, less rigid fixation techniques have been applied to the pediatric cervical spine. There is a lack of long-term outcome data for rigid fixation techniques. The purpose of this study was to define the clinical outcome and safety of posterior instrumented fusion in the pediatric population using adult posterior instrumentation.

Growth Modulation by Tension Band Plate in Achondroplasia With Varus Knee Deformity: Comparison of Gait Analysis Measurements.

Background: Limited evidence exists concerning growth modulation by tension band plate (TBP) to correct varus deformity in patients with achondroplasia with limited growth due to FGFR3 gene mutation. We evaluated the efficacy of TBP in children with achondroplasia with genu varum and reported the static radiographic and dynamic motion data to determine parameters that impact the rate of deformity correction.

Methods: Patients with achondroplasia with genu varum who underwent TBP surgery for growth modulation were studied.

No difference in postoperative complication rates or cardiopulmonary function for early versus late scoliosis correction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Background: Given reduced rates of both pulmonary function decline and scoliosis progression with steroid treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the role of early scoliosis surgery has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative complication rates of early versus late scoliosis correction in DMD.

Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort, conducted at an academic tertiary level children's hospital.

Improved distribution of leg forces after fibular resection and synostosis.

Purpose: Genu varum- a common symptom in achondroplasia- may lead to ankle valgus in children. Ankle valgus may be mitigated by tibiofibular synostosis, but this is not always the case. The mechanical environment around the growth plates plays an important role in ankle valgus.

Collagen X Marker Levels are Decreased in Individuals with Achondroplasia.

Collagen X marker (CXM) is a degradation fragment of collagen type X. It is a real-time biomarker of height velocity with established norms. Plasma C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and NTproCNP levels have also been found to correlate with growth velocity in the general population and are elevated in individuals with achondroplasia compared with age- and sex-matched controls.

Addressing the need for patient-friendly medical communications: adaptation of the 2019 recommendations for the management of MPS VI and MPS IVA.

Background: Patients are the most important stakeholders in the care of any disease and have an educational need to learn about their condition and the treatment they should receive. Considering this need for patient-focused materials, we present a directed approach for mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI and MPS IVA, a pair of rare, inherited diseases that affects multiple organs and parts of the body. Independent guidelines on the treatment of these diseases were recently published, providing evidence- and expertise-driven recommendations to optimize patient management.

Risk Factors for Rebound After Correction of Genu Valgum in Skeletal Dysplasia Patients Treated by Tension Band Plates.

Background: Growth modulation using tension band plates (TBPs) is increasingly important for lower limb deformity correction in patients with skeletal dysplasia (SKD). Development of rebound deformity is a concern after TBP removal. Data regarding this complication are rare; therefore, we evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for rebound deformity in children with SKD undergoing correction of genu valgum using TBP.

Elongation-Derotation-Flexion Casting Treatment of Early-Onset Progressive Scoliosis in Skeletal Dysplasia.

Background: Early-onset scoliosis in children with skeletal dysplasia is progressive, contributing to cardiopulmonary restrictive disease. Serial elongation-derotation-flexion (EDF) casting, used in other etiologies of scoliosis to delay curve progression, may be beneficial in maximizing spine growth. Our hypothesis is serial EDF casting can be safely used as a temporary alternative to surgery, delaying progression and preserving growth, to treat scoliosis in skeletal dysplasia.

International Consensus Statement on the diagnosis, multidisciplinary management and lifelong care of individuals with achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia, the most common skeletal dysplasia, is characterized by a variety of medical, functional and psychosocial challenges across the lifespan. The condition is caused by a common, recurring, gain-of-function mutation in FGFR3, the gene that encodes fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. This mutation leads to impaired endochondral ossification of the human skeleton.

Perceptions of Nurses Who Are Second Victims in a Hospital Setting.

Background: Second victims (SVs) are health care workers traumatized by unanticipated, adverse patient events. These experiences can have personal and professional effects on SVs. Research indicates that SVs experience inadequate support following adverse events.

Evaluation of Gait Pattern and Lower Extremity Kinematics of Children with Morquio Syndrome (MPS IV).

Morquio syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IV/MPS IV) is a genetic disorder leading to skeletal abnormalities and gait deviations. Research on the gait patterns and lower extremity physical characteristics associated with skeletal dysplasia in children with MPS IV is currently limited. This research aimed to provide baseline gait patterns and lower limb skeletal alignment of children with MPS IV utilizing three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis.

Late Conditions Diagnosed 1-4 Months Following an Initial Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Encounter: A Matched-Cohort Study Using Inpatient and Outpatient Administrative Data-United States, 1 March-30 June 2020.

Background: Late sequelae of COVID-19 have been reported; however, few studies have investigated the time course or incidence of late new COVID-19-related health conditions (post-COVID conditions) after COVID-19 diagnosis. Studies distinguishing post-COVID conditions from late conditions caused by other etiologies are lacking. Using data from a large administrative all-payer database, we assessed type, association, and timing of post-COVID conditions following COVID-19 diagnosis.

Use of bot and content flags to limit the spread of misinformation among social networks: a behavior and attitude survey.

The COVID-19 infodemic is driven partially by Twitter bots. Flagging bot accounts and the misinformation they share could provide one strategy for preventing the spread of false information online. This article reports on an experiment ( = 299) conducted with participants in the USA to see whether flagging tweets as coming from bot accounts and as containing misinformation can lower participants' self-reported engagement and attitudes about the tweets.

The impact of scoliosis surgery on pulmonary function in spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review.

Scoliosis often occurs coincident with pulmonary function deterioration in spinal muscular atrophy but a causal relationship has not yet been reliably established. A systematic literature review was performed, with pulmonary function testing being the primary outcome pre- and post-scoliosis surgery. Levels of evidence were determined and GRADE recommendations made.

Tracheal narrowing in children and adults with mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA: evaluation with computed tomography angiography.

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is characterized by progressive skeletal dysplasia and respiratory issues with difficult airway management during anesthesia.

Objective: To characterize tracheal abnormalities in children and adults with MPS IVA including interplay of the trachea, vasculature, bones and thyroid at the thoracic inlet.

Materials And Methods: Computed tomography (CT) angiograms of the chest were analyzed for trachea shape, narrowing and deviation at the thoracic inlet, course of vasculature, bone alignment and thyroid location.

Best practice guidelines in managing the craniofacial aspects of skeletal dysplasia.

Background: Recognition and appropriate management of the craniofacial manifestations of patients with skeletal dysplasia are challenging, due to the rarity of these conditions, and dearth of literature to support evidence-based clinical decision making.

Methods: Using the Delphi method, an international, multi-disciplinary group of individuals, with significant experience in the care of patients with skeletal dysplasia, convened to develop multi-disciplinary, best practice guidelines in the management of craniofacial aspects of these patients.

Results: After a comprehensive literature review, 23 initial statements were generated and critically discussed, with subsequent development of a list of 22 best practice guidelines after a second round voting.

Intraoperative Neurological Monitoring in Lower Limb Surgery for Patients With Mucopolysaccharidoses.

Background: There are reports of spinal cord injury (SCI) occurring after lower extremity (LE) surgery in children with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). Intraoperative neurological monitoring (IONM) has been adopted in some centers to assess real-time spinal cord function during these procedures. The aim of this investigation was to review 3 specialty centers' experiences with MPS patients undergoing LE surgery.

The impact of dispositional optimism and depression on post-operative motor functioning following deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: The primary goal of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) is to improve motor function. Dispositional optimism has been associated with better physical outcomes following a rehabilitation program in PD but has not been investigated in relation to STN-DBS. This study investigated the influence of dispositional optimism on motor outcomes following STN-DBS in individuals with PD.