Prognostic value of brain abnormalities for cognitive functioning in cerebral palsy: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Brain abnormalities in cerebral palsy (CP) are known to relate to motor outcome; however, their association with cognitive functioning is less clear.

Aim Of The Study: 1) To investigate the prognostic value of brain abnormalities for cognitive functioning; 2) To explore the added value of prognostic variables across ICF domains: motor function, epilepsy, gestational age, birthweight and educational level of the parents.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed brain MRI scans of 75 children with CP (GMFCS level I-V, 36% born preterm), as part of a longitudinal study.

Sudden falls as a persistent complication of selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery in children with bilateral spasticity: report of 3 cases.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery is a well-established treatment for ambulatory children with bilateral spastic paresis and is performed to eliminate spasticity and improve walking. The objective of this case report is to describe sudden falls as a persistent complication of SDR. The authors report on 3 patients with bilateral spastic paresis, aged 12, 6, and 7 years at the time of surgery.

Effect of (minor or major) maternal trauma on fetal motility: A prospective study.

Background: Fetal motility represents the spontaneous activity of the central nervous system and as such can be used to evaluate its functional integrity. Maternal mechanical trauma in pregnancy is a risk factor for hypoxic ischemic brain injury and can potentially affect the CNS and fetal motility.

Aim: To study motility in fetuses after maternal trauma.

Long-term motor and behavioral outcome after perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Background: A cohort of children born with perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was followed prospectively until school age.

Aims: To describe motor outcome and behavioral functioning of school-age children after perinatal HIE and the relationship with neonatal MRI and outcome at age 2.

Methods: Twenty-five children (19 males), born at term with perinatal HIE, were assessed at a mean age of 7 y 6 m (range 6 y 4 m-8 y 2 m).

How do changes in motor capacity, motor capability, and motor performance relate in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy?

Objective: To investigate the relations between changes in motor capacity (can do, in standardized environment), motor capability (can do, in daily environment), and motor performance (does do, in daily environment) among children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design: Prospective longitudinal study. After baseline measurements (at the age of 18 mo, 30 mo, 5 y, 7 y, 9 y, 11 y, or 13 y), 2-year follow-up measurements were performed.

Developmental trajectories of receptive and expressive communication in children and young adults with cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the developmental trajectories of expressive (speech) and receptive (spoken and written language) communication by type of motor disorder and intellectual disability in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: The development of 418 participants (261 males, 157 females; mean age 9y 6mo [SD 6y 2mo], range 1-24y; Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I [n=206], II [n=57], III [n=59], IV [n=54], V [n=42]) was followed for 2 to 4 years in a longitudinal study. Communication performance was measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.

Development of social functioning and communication in school-aged (5-9 years) children with cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to examine determinants of the course and level of social functioning and communication in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) over a 2-year period. A clinic-based sample of 5 and 7 years old children with CP (n=108; 72 males; mean age 6 y 3 mo, SD 12 mo; Gross Motor Function Classification System (GFMCS) level I-V) was followed longitudinally in three yearly assessments. Social functioning and communication were measured with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS).

Neurodevelopmental outcome during the first year of life in preterm infants after supplementation of a prebiotic mixture in the neonatal period: a follow-up study.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the effect of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture (neutral and acidic oligosaccharides) in the neonatal period on neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks and/or birth weight of less than 1,500 g in the first year of life.

Methods: Neurodevelopmental outcome consisted of tone and motility according to Touwen, motor ability according to the Alberta Infant Motor Scale, as well as vision and hearing were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months corrected age (CA). To adjust for potential confounders, data were analyzed by multinomial or logistic regression.

Long-term effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy on gross motor function in ambulant children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy, compared with reference centiles.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on the gross motor function of ambulant children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (CP), compared with reference centiles.

Method: The study used a prospective cohort design and participants comprised 29 children classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in level I (n=7), II (n=4), or III (n=18; 18 males, 11 females; median age at time of surgery 6 y 4 mo; range 2 y 10 mo-12 y 1 mo), who were examined 5 years and 10 years after SDR. We used individual centiles based on Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) scores and age, corresponding to the GMFCS levels.

Intrathecal baclofen for progressive neurological disease in childhood: a systematic review of literature.

Background: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is frequently used for individuals with severe, but non-progressive, spasticity refractory to oral treatment. However, experiences with ITB in patients with progressive neurological disorders of childhood causing spasticity are limited.

Aim: To investigate whether ITB is an option in patients with progressive neurological disorders causing spasticity in childhood.

Effects of intrathecal baclofen on daily care in children with secondary generalized dystonia: a pilot study.

Aim: Treatment options for dystonic cerebral palsy (CP) are limited. Our aims were to determine whether intrathecal baclofen (ITB) improves daily care, decreases dystonia and decreases pain in patients with dystonic CP.

Methods: Patients received randomized blinded treatment with ITB or placebo.

Short- and long-term effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy on gross motor function in ambulatory children with spastic diplegia.

Object: The primary aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the short-term (1 year) and long-term (mean 6 years) effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on gross motor function and spasticity in ambulatory children with spastic diplegia. Secondary aims were to investigate side effects, additional treatment during follow-up (botulinum toxin type A injections or orthopedic surgery), and parental satisfaction.

Methods: Thirty-three children who had undergone SDR at a mean age of 6 years and 7 months (± 2 years) were included.

Outcome at 4.5 years of children born after expectant management of early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 4.5 years in 216 children, born after expectant management of severe early-onset hypertensive complications of pregnancy.

Study Design: This was a prospective follow-up study until age 4.

Physical activity in young children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the physical activity levels of 5- and 7-year-old children with cerebral palsy (CP, n = 97), to compare their physical activity levels with those of typically developing peers (TD, n = 57) and the Dutch recommendation for physical activity, and to investigate the associated factors.

Method: The level of physical activity (hours spent on sports and physical activity per week) and contextual factors were assessed with standardised questionnaires.

Results: Mean duration of self-reported physical activity for children with CP was 3.

Relationship between gross motor capacity and daily-life mobility in children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between gross motor capacity and daily-life mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to explore the moderation of this relationship by the severity of CP.

Method: Cross-sectional analysis in a cohort study with a clinic-based sample of children with CP (n=116; 76 males, 40 females; mean age 6 y 3 mo, SD 12 mo, range 4 y 8 mo-7 y 7 mo) was performed. Gross motor capacity was assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66).

Motor testing at 1 year improves the prediction of motor and mental outcome at 2 years after perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

Aim: To investigate the predictive value of motor testing at 1 year for motor and mental outcome at 2 years after perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term neonates.

Method: Motor and mental outcome at 2 years was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition (BSID-II) in 32 surviving children (20 males, 12 females; mean gestational age 40.2 wk, SD 1.

Diffusion-weighted and conventional MR imaging in neonatal hypoxic ischemia: two-year follow-up study.

Purpose: To establish the supplemental value of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging beyond conventional MR to predict clinical outcome after neonatal hypoxic ischemia (HI) at 2 years of age.

Materials And Methods: Forty-six infants with neonatal HI were enrolled in this prospective study, after approval by the local ethical committee and informed consent of the parents. Neonatal MR imaging ranged from 1 to 45 days after birth.

Validation of the Dutch Giving Youth a Voice Questionnaire (GYV-20): a measure of the client-centredness of rehabilitation services from an adolescent perspective.

Purpose: The objective was to validate the Dutch translation of the Canadian Giving Youth a Voice Questionnaire (GYV-20) for use in paediatric rehabilitation settings in The Netherlands. The GYV-20 consists of 20 items (assessing four domains) and was designed to evaluate the client-centredness of rehabilitation services from an adolescent perspective.

Method: The construct validity, concurrent validity, and reliability of the Dutch GYV-20 were determined.

Quality of paediatric rehabilitation from the parent perspective: validation of the short Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC-20) in the Netherlands.

Objective: In the present study we aim to assess the reliability and validity of the 20-item version of the Dutch Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC).

Design: The reliability, concurrent validity, predictive validity and construct validity of the Dutch MPOC-20 were determined. A subset of MPOC-20 data was extracted from a large Dutch MPOC (56-item version) database.

Family-centred services in The Netherlands: validating a self-report measure for paediatric service providers.

Objective: To validate the Dutch translation of the Canadian Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers questionnaire (MPOC-SP) for use in paediatric rehabilitation settings in the Netherlands.

Design: The construct validity, content validity, face validity, and reliability of the Dutch MPOC-SP were determined.

Subjects: The 163 service providers that participated in the validation study represented seven children's rehabilitation centres and affiliated schools in the Netherlands (overall response rate 55.

Effects of botulinum toxin type A on upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate whether botulinum toxin type A injections improve upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: An extensive search was carried out in PUBMED, CINAHL, PICARTA, EMBASE, PEDRO and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Controlled and uncontrolled studies were included and evaluated on the basis of a best evidence synthesis.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy in cerebral palsy to improve functional abilities: evaluation of criteria for selection.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on functional abilities in a well-defined group of ambulatory children with spastic diplegia.

Methods: Nine children were selected for SDR (mean age 65 months, range 43-82 months). Gross motor function was measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88).

Vestibulospinal component of postural control (vestibular function) in very preterm infants (25 to 27 weeks) at 3, 6, and 12 months corrected age.

Postural control, which is important for the development of all movement, balance, and locomotion, depends a great deal on the vestibulospinal component of vestibular function in early childhood. Vestibulospinal input is important for muscle power regulation, which, in turn, influences postural control. The aim of this study was to focus particularly on this component of vestibular function during the first year of life in 67 infants with a very short gestational age (25-27 weeks), to search for possible neonatal confounders, and to see whether it influences the course of muscle power development in preterm infants.