Prevalence, Clinical Features, Neuroimaging, and Genetic Findings in Children With Ataxic Cerebral Palsy in Europe.

Background And Objectives: To report on prevalence, associated impairments, severity, and neuroimaging findings in children with ataxic cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: In children coded as having ataxic CP in the Central database of Joint Research Center-Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (JRC-SCPE) and born during 1980-2010, birth characteristics, severity profiles including associated impairments, neuroimaging patterns, and the presence of syndromes were analyzed. Definitions were according to validated SCPE guidelines.

Trends in Prevalence and Severity of Pre/Perinatal Cerebral Palsy Among Children Born Preterm From 2004 to 2010: A SCPE Collaboration Study.

To report on prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP), severity rates, and types of brain lesions in children born preterm 2004 to 2010 by gestational age groups. Data from 12 population-based registries of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe network were used. Children with CP were eligible if they were born preterm (<37 weeks of gestational age) between 2004 and 2010, and were at least 4 years at time of registration.

Decreasing cerebral palsy prevalence in multiple births in the modern era: a population cohort study of European data.

Unlabelled: Multiple births (twins or higher order multiples) are increasing in developed countries and may present higher risk for cerebral palsy (CP). However, few studies can reliably investigate trends over time because these outcomes are relatively rare.

Objective: We pooled data from European CP registers to investigate CP birth prevalence and its trends among single and multiple births born between 1990 and 2008.

Severity of Cerebral Palsy-The Impact of Associated Impairments.

Objective: This article describes associated impairments in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and its subtypes.

Method: Children born between 1990 and 2006 recorded in the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe common database were studied. An "impairment index" characterized severity of impairments and their combinations.

European and Australian Cerebral Palsy Surveillance Networks Working Together for Collaborative Research.

Aims: This study aims to describe and compare goals and methods, characteristics of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to compare prevalence of CP in the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR).

Methods: This study compares the objectives of the two networks and their working practices; key documents from both above-mentioned networks were used. Children included in the comparison of the descriptive profile and prevalence measures were born between 1993 and 2009 for Australian data and between 1980 and 2003 for SCPE.

Oral antibiotic use and risk of colorectal cancer in the United Kingdom, 1989-2012: a matched case-control study.

Background: Microbiome dysbiosis predisposes to colorectal cancer (CRC), but a population-based study of oral antibiotic exposure and risk patterns is lacking.

Objective: To assess the association between oral antibiotic use and CRC risk.

Design: A matched case-control study (incident CRC cases and up to five matched controls) was performed using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink from 1989 to 2012.

The impact of medical school assessment on preparedness for practice.

Purpose: As assessment is known to drive learning, this paper looks at the relationship between assessment practice across UK medical schools and graduates preparedness for practice.

Materials And Methods: It uses data on written and practical assessment at each medical school and the association with students' self-reported preparedness for working as a foundation doctor on graduation, and in particular the preparation related to clinical skills.

Results And Conclusions: A negative correlation (β= -0.

Developing a new empathy-specific admissions test for applicants to medical schools: A discourse-pragmatic approach.

The ability to empathise with patients is an important professional skill for doctors. Medical students practise this skill as part of their medical education, and are tested on their use of empathy within their final examination. Evidence shows that appropriate training makes a difference but that natural aptitude also plays a role.

Decreasing prevalence in cerebral palsy: a multi-site European population-based study, 1980 to 2003.

Aim: To monitor the trends in prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) by birthweight in Europe, 1980 to 2003.

Method: Data were collated from 20 population-based registers contributing to the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe database. Trend analyses were conducted in four birthweight groups: <1000g (extremely low birthweight [ELBW]); 1000 to 1499g (very low birthweight [VLBW]); 1500 to 2499g (moderately low birthweight [MLBW]); and >2499g (normal birthweight [NBW]).

Previous Pregnancies Among Young Women Having an Abortion in England and Wales.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use national statistics on abortions carried out in England and Wales to more precisely estimate the proportion of young women aged <20 years obtaining an abortion who have had one or more previous pregnancies.

Methods: Secondary analysis of abortion data from the Office of National Statistic and the Department of Health by parity for women aged <20 years, ordinarily residing in England and Wales, from 1992 to 2013.

Results: Over the past 20 years, the proportion of teenagers in England and Wales having an abortion as a result of a subsequent pregnancy increased by 33% (from .

Hyperactivity and the psychological burden of Perthes disease: a case-control study.

Background: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is a childhood precursor to hip osteoarthritis, for which the etiology is unknown. There is a widespread belief that affected individuals are "hyperactive," propagating a theory that such children may have sustained an epiphyseal injury that precipitated the onset of LCPD. This study seeks to quantify the association with hyperactivity, and the wider psychological burden of the disease.

Perthes' disease of the hip: socioeconomic inequalities and the urban environment.

Introduction: Perthes' disease is a puzzling childhood hip disorder for which the aetiology is unknown. It is known to be associated with socioeconomic deprivation. Urban environments have also been implicated as a risk factor, however socioeconomic deprivation often occurs within urban environments and it is unclear if this association is the result of confounding.

Abnormalities of vascular structure and function in children with Perthes disease.

Background And Objectives: Perthes disease is a childhood precipitant to osteoarthritis of the hip, for which the etiology and mechanism are unknown. There is mounting evidence to suggest a vascular insult is responsible for disease, and it is suggested that this may have long-term implications for the vascular health of affected individuals. This study sought to use ultrasound measures to investigate vascular structure and function in children affected by Perthes disease.

Racial and geographic factors in the incidence of Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease: a systematic review.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease (Perthes' disease) is a childhood osteonecrosis of the hip for which the disease determinants are poorly understood. In this review, the authors identify studies of Perthes' disease incidence published up to December 2010 and make denominator populations comparable in order to allow meaningful between-study evaluation. Incidence rates and confidence intervals were determined, and, where appropriate, denominator populations were obtained from national statistical offices.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in the UK: geographic and temporal trends in incidence reflecting differences in degree of deprivation in childhood.

Objective: Little is known about Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a common childhood precursor to osteoarthritis of the hip. This study was undertaken to analyze the incidence of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in the UK, with respect to geographic and temporal trends over a 19-year period.

Methods: The General Practice Research database was analyzed to identify incident cases between 1990 and 2008 in children ages 0-14 years.

Perthes' disease: deprivation and decline.

Introduction: Perthes' disease is a childhood hip disorder which frequently precipitates premature osteoarthritis necessitating joint replacement in young adults. The highest incidence reported worldwide is in Merseyside, UK, where a unique disease register is maintained.

Objective: To describe the temporal trends in disease incidence in a geographically defined area of Merseyside, and to examine the relationship to area deprivation.

Epilepsy and cerebral palsy: characteristics and trends in children born in 1976-1998.

Background: Although epilepsy is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP), no data exists on prevalence rates of CP and epilepsy.

Aims: To describe epilepsy in children with CP, and to examine the association between epilepsy and neonatal characteristics, associated impairments and CP subtypes.

Methods: Data on 9654 children with CP born between 1976 and 1998 and registered in 17 European registers belonging to the SCPE network (Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe) were analyzed.

Quantifying the impact of deprivation on preterm births: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Social deprivation is associated with higher rates of preterm birth and subsequent infant mortality. Our objective was to identify risk factors for preterm birth in the UK's largest maternity unit, with a particular focus on social deprivation, and related factors.

Methodology/principal Findings: Retrospective cohort study of 39,873 women in Liverpool, UK, from 2002-2008.

Oromotor dysfunction and communication impairments in children with cerebral palsy: a register study.

Aim: to report the prevalence, clinical associations, and trends over time of oromotor dysfunction and communication impairments in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: multiple sources of ascertainment were used and children followed up with a standardized assessment including motor speech problems, swallowing/chewing difficulties, excessive drooling, and communication impairments at age 5 years.

Results: a total of 1357 children born between 1980 and 2001 were studied (781 males, 576 females; median age 5y 11mo, interquartile range 3-9y; unilateral spastic CP, n=447; bilateral spastic CP, n=496; other, n=112; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level: I, 181; II, 563; III, 123; IV, 82; IV, 276).

Socio-economic inequalities in cerebral palsy prevalence in the United Kingdom: a register-based study.

Evidence is unclear as to whether there is a socio-economic gradient in cerebral palsy (CP) prevalence beyond what would be expected from the socio-economic gradient for low birthweight, a strong risk factor for CP. We conducted a population-based study in five regions of the UK with CP registers, to investigate the relationship between CP prevalence and socio-economic deprivation, and how it varies by region, by birthweight and by severity and type of CP. The total study population was 1 657 569 livebirths, born between 1984 and 1997.

Children with cerebral palsy: severity and trends over time.

Increasingly, more very-low-birthweight infants in the developed world are now expected to survive the neonatal period than was previously the case. There are concerns that there may be a related increase in the number of infants developing severe sensorimotor impairments. Pooled data from five registers contributing to the UK Network of Cerebral Palsy Registers, Surveys and Databases were used to identify patterns of motor impairment in relation to additional impairments and to birthweight, and to assess whether prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) by birthweight and by severity of motor impairment had changed over time.

A review of prenatally detected femoral abnormalities.

Antenatally detected femoral abnormalities are a rare finding, and form a heterogeneous group in terms of diagnosis and prognosis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the management and outcome of fetuses after prenatal detection of femoral abnormalities in a tertiary care Fetal Medicine Unit over a 5-year period, thus facilitating accurate diagnosis and appropriate counseling. Patients were identified through a Regional Fetal Anomaly Database or clinician recall.