Publications by authors named "Raul Escobar"

Young children's linguistic and communicative abilities are foundational for their academic achievement and overall well-being. We present the positive outcomes of a brief tablet-based intervention aimed at teaching toddlers and preschoolers new word-object and letter-sound associations. We conducted two experiments, one involving toddlers ( ~ 24 months old, n = 101) and the other with preschoolers ( ~ 42 months old, n = 152).

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This study examined the agreement of perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between caregivers and autistic children and adolescents (n = 133, 5-12 years) using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition (PedsQL 4.0). Results reveal good to excellent agreement over this age range across the total, physical, and psychosocial health scales.

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Hypotonia of the newborn or infant is defined as decreased resistance to passive movement and is a frequent diagnostic challenge in pediatric practice. The hypotonic syndrome is a working diagnosis and its etiology must be identified to determine associated morbidities, prognosis, and management. Rapid advances in bioinformatics and molecular genetic testing allow for early accurate diagnoses in the diagnostic process.

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Objective: To describe main motor disorders detected in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and analyze associated clinical variables.

Patients And Method: A cross-sectional observatio nal study of 96 children with ASD, median age 4 years (range, 3-9), 32.3% girls, and 18.

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Article Synopsis
  • Juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) is an autoimmune disorder affecting muscle strength in individuals under 19, with thymectomy showing potential for improved remission alongside medication.
  • A study involving six pediatric patients aged 2 to 14 who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) thymectomy revealed no surgical complications, with an average hospital stay of 2 days.
  • Post-surgery results indicated that three patients were symptom-free without medication, while others experienced reduced corticosteroid needs, although one patient required additional hospitalization due to a crisis.
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In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the association between generalized hypotonia (GH) and demographic features and clinical characteristics in toddlers (2 to 5 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among 93 children, 32 (34.4%) had GH.

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We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore whether clinical characteristics and autism diagnostic-traits severity are associated with caregiver-reported impairment of health-related quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition) in 93 Chilean toddlers (age: 2-4 years) with autism spectrum disorder. Median total scale, physical health, and psychosocial health scores were 76 (IQR 70-81), 88 (IQR 81-94), and 71 (IQR 62-79), respectively. In multiple-regression analysis, diagnostic age (β = 0.

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Introduction: Sciatic neuropathy is rare and difficult to diagnose in pediatrics, and its long-term course has not been completely understood.

Objective: To analyze the clinical presentation and evolution of a group of pediatric patients with sciatic neuropathy.

Patients And Method: Retrospective anal ysis of the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with sciatic neuropathy treated in two hospitals of Santiago between 2014 and 2018.

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Non-dystrophic myotonias are a group of rare neuromuscular diseases linked to SCN4A or CLCN1. Among the subtypes, myotonia permanens, associated with the Gly1306Glu variant of SCN4A, is a relatively less frequent but more severe form. Most reports of non-dystrophic myotonias describe European populations.

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Unlabelled: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) causes significant disability and progressive functional impairment. Readily available instruments that assess functionality, especially in advanced stages of the disease, are required to monitor the progress of the disease and the impact of therapeutic interventions.

Objective: To describe the development of a scale to evaluate upper limb function (UL) in patients with DMD and SMA, and describe its validation process, which includes self-training for evaluators.

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This secondary analysis of a large (n = 241), randomized, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy of 2 doses of abobotulinumtoxinA + standard of care (SOC) versus placebo + SOC in enabling children with dynamic equinus due to cerebral palsy to achieve their functional goals using Goal Attainment Scaling. Most parents/caregivers selected goals targeting aspects of gait improvement as most relevant. Mean (95% confidence interval) Goal Attainment Scaling T scores at week 4 were higher for both abobotulinumtoxinA groups versus placebo (treatment difference vs placebo: 10 U/kg/leg: 5.

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Introduction: In this study we aimed to determine the maximal isometric muscle strength of a healthy, normal-weight, pediatric population between 6 and 15 years of age using hand-held dynamometry to establish strength reference values. The secondary objective was determining the relationship between strength and anthropometric parameters.

Methods: Four hundred normal-weight Chilean children, split into 10 age groups, separated by 1-year intervals, were evaluated.

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Disuse osteoporosis in children is a progressive disease that can affect quality of life. High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration (HFLMV) acts as an anabolic signal for bone and muscle. We undertook a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of regional HFLMV in disabled children.

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Neonatal group B streptococcus meningitis causes neurologic morbidity and mortality. Cerebrovascular involvement is a common, poorly studied, and potentially modifiable pathologic process. We hypothesized that imaging patterns of focal brain infarction are recognizable in neonatal group B streptococcal meningitis.

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