Diagnostic accuracy of referral criteria for head circumference to detect hydrocephalus in the first year of life.

Background: Increased head circumference is often the first and main sign leading to the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Our aim is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of referral criteria for head circumference to detect hydrocephalus in the first year of life.

Methods: A reference group with longitudinal head circumference data (n = 1938) was obtained from the Social Medical Survey of Children Attending Child Health Clinics study.

Surviving a brain tumor in childhood: impact on family functioning in adolescence.

Objective: To investigate family functioning in families with an adolescent survivor of a pediatric brain tumor. We explored whether adolescent, parent, disease and treatment factors, and demographic characteristics predicted family functioning.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 45 adolescent survivors of pediatric brain tumors and their parents completed self-report questionnaires on family functioning, and emotional and behavioral problems.

Survival prediction model of children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma based on clinical and radiological criteria.

Background: Although diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) carries the worst prognosis of all pediatric brain tumors, studies on prognostic factors in DIPG are sparse. To control for confounding variables in DIPG studies, which generally include relatively small patient numbers, a survival prediction tool is needed.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed in the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany with central review of clinical data and MRI scans of children with DIPG.

At what age is hydrocephalus detected, and what is the role of head circumference measurements?

To investigate at what age hydrocephalus is detected and to assess the role of head circumference measurements in detecting hydrocephalus, we performed a retrospective chart review in children with hydrocephalus treated in a tertiary paediatric hospital in the Netherlands. The study group contained 146 patients; 38 patients (31%) were referred because of abnormalities in head circumference. Eighty-nine per cent of the patients were detected in the first year of life.

Imaging the course of a hypoplastic cerebellum in a spina bifida newborn.

Introduction: We report about a spina bifida patient with myelomeningocele at the lumbar level L5, extensive Chiari malformation type II with vermal herniation reaching to C6 with downward pontine shift, and a severe hypoplastic cerebellum. Chromosomal diagnostic tests showed no abnormalities.

Case Report: The infant experienced severe central apneas successfully treated with oxygen therapy and caffeine medication; functional motor level was established at L5 with sparse anal sphincter function.