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BMC Medicine May 2013Autism is usually conceptualized as a disorder or disease that involves fundamentally abnormal neurodevelopment. In the present work, the hypothesis that a suite of core...
BACKGROUND
Autism is usually conceptualized as a disorder or disease that involves fundamentally abnormal neurodevelopment. In the present work, the hypothesis that a suite of core autism-related traits may commonly represent simple delays or non-completion of typical childhood developmental trajectories is evaluated.
DISCUSSION
A comprehensive review of the literature indicates that, with regard to the four phenotypes of (1) restricted interests and repetitive behavior, (2) short-range and long-range structural and functional brain connectivity, (3) global and local visual perception and processing, and (4) the presence of absolute pitch, the differences between autistic individuals and typically developing individuals closely parallel the differences between younger and older children.
SUMMARY
The results of this study are concordant with a model of 'developmental heterochrony', and suggest that evolutionary extension of child development along the human lineage has potentiated and structured genetic risk for autism and the expression of autistic perception, cognition and behavior.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Behavior; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Developmental Disabilities; Humans; Perception
PubMed: 23639054
DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-119 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Dec 2015at present, diabetes has become a global health problem. The consequences that entails, both short and long term, do more studies and knowledge necessary for detection,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
at present, diabetes has become a global health problem. The consequences that entails, both short and long term, do more studies and knowledge necessary for detection, control and treatment. Moreover, its prevalence is increasing in both the general population and pregnant women. Numerous effects and complications have been reported in infants of diabetic mothers, such as fetal macrosomia, hypoglycemia and increased risk of developing obesity. This condition could have negative effects on the neurological development of the child and could affect his intellectual capacity and increase cognitive impairment.
AIMS
to analyze the studies which have investigated in the relationship between diabetes mellitus during pregnancy and its impact on child neurodevelopment short and long-term.
METHODS
we performed a systematic search and 20 specific articles on the subject selected would be selected following the PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
in the studies consulted include a large methodological variety in both instruments and cognitive assessment scales, as in the age at which the sample is studied. However, most researchers conclude that maternal diabetes can have consequences for the child, both short and long-term. A higher rate of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and neurodevelopmental impairment is also described, which increase the neurobehavioral disorders and intellectual disability.
CONCLUSIONS
most of the studies are agree in describing neurodevelopmental disorders in children of diabetic mothers, both in cognition and in the specific areas related to expressive language, social relations, graphical skills and psychomotor development. Other research has linked maternal diabetes with an increased incidence of autism spectrum disorders such as hyperactivity, attention deficits and schizophrenia.
Topics: Child; Child Development; Cognition; Developmental Disabilities; Diabetes, Gestational; Female; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 26667695
DOI: 10.3305/nh.2015.32.6.10069 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood Jun 2007Dyspraxia is an enigma to many people, both professional and lay alike--what is it, how does it relate to developmental coordination disorder and associated conditions,... (Review)
Review
Dyspraxia is an enigma to many people, both professional and lay alike--what is it, how does it relate to developmental coordination disorder and associated conditions, how common is it, how is it recognised and diagnosed and how should it be managed? This article attempts to unravel this enigma by: dealing with the terminology of coordination difficulties from the "clumsy child syndrome" through "dyspraxia" to "developmental coordination disorder (DCD)"; briefly examining the debate as to whether dyspraxia or DCD should be regarded as a medical or social disorder; discussing the differential diagnosis of dyspraxia or DCD; considering the assessment of children with dyspraxia or DCD; reviewing the range of current treatment approaches in the UK.
Topics: Apraxias; Child; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Motor Skills Disorders; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 17515623
DOI: 10.1136/adc.2005.088054 -
BMC Pediatrics Oct 2023Systematic or targeted screening for developmental delay (DD) is critical to the early identification of developmental disabilities. With limited available information...
BACKGROUND
Systematic or targeted screening for developmental delay (DD) is critical to the early identification of developmental disabilities. With limited available information for urban Rwandan children, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of DD and associated risk factors in infants aged 9 to 16 months living in the urban Rwandan city of Kigali.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rwanda from August to November 2019. A convenience sample of 376 Rwandan parents/caregivers and their children attending urban health centers for their routine immunization visits at 9 and 15 months of age was studied. Parents/caregivers completed the official Kinyarwandan version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and established cutoffs were used to identify DD. Frequency and percentages were used to summarise the data. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DD.
RESULTS
Of the 358 children screened using the ASQ-3, the overall prevalence of DD was 24.6%, with a 27.2% prevalence among 9-10-month old children and 22.4% prevalence among 15-16-month old children. Delays in the combined group among the domains of gross motor, communication, fine motor, personal social, and problem solving were 12.8%, 2.5%, 8.4%, 1.7% and 7.5%, respectively. Gestational age at delivery and district of origin were most highly associated with DD, with preterm children at significantly higher risk of having DD compared to term children (Adjusted Odd Ratio AOR = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.5-27.4) and children from Nyarugenge District at high risk of DD compared to children from Gasabo district (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.2-3.9).
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of ASQ-detectable DD among urban Rwandan children between 9 and 16 months of age was 24.6%, with a high correlation to a history of prematurity and district of origin. This study demonstrates the need for thoughtful health planning regarding integrated developmental surveillance for children, particularly those at high risk, to allow for earlier identification and intervention in the urban area of Kigali, Rwanda.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Humans; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developmental Disabilities; Rwanda; Child Development; Infant, Premature; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37864138
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04332-3 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Nov 2023Children who experience adversities in the pre-perinatal period are at increased risk of developing impairment later in life, despite the absence of overt brain and...
Children who experience adversities in the pre-perinatal period are at increased risk of developing impairment later in life, despite the absence of overt brain and neurological abnormalities. However, many of these children exhibit sequelae several years after a period of normal appearance. As a result, the need for reliable developmental assessments for the early detection of infants at high risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes has emerged. The Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales have a promising but poorly explored prognostic ability. This longitudinal study evaluated the predictive power of the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales at 12 and 24 months on the cognitive and neuropsychological profile at 6 years of age in a sample of 70 children with a history of prematurity or perinatal asphyxia but without brain and neurological abnormalities. We found that the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales at 24 months had good predictive ability on the intelligence quotient at 6 years and the capacity to predict some neuropsychological performances. On the other hand, the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scale at 12 months was not associated with the performance at 6 years or 24 months. Conclusion: Data on brain development converge to indicate that the first two years of age represent a critical stage of development, particularly for children experiencing mild pre-perinatal adversities who are thought to exhibit white matter dysmaturity. For this reason, this age is crucial for identifying which children are at major risk, leaving enough time to intervene before overt deficits become apparent. Brain development in the first 2 years could explain the limited reliability of early neurodevelopmental testing. What is Known: • Pre-perinatal adversities increase the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. • The predictive ability of the Griffith scale is poorly explored in low-grade conditions. What is New: • The predictive ability of the Griffith scale has been investigated in low-risk children. • A complete neuropsychological profile could offer a more accurate prediction than the intellectual quotient.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Child; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Infant, Premature; Brain; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Developmental Disabilities
PubMed: 37707588
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05182-y -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Jun 2009Recent advances in MR-based brain imaging methods have provided unprecedented capabilities to visualize the brain. Application of these methods has allowed... (Review)
Review
Recent advances in MR-based brain imaging methods have provided unprecedented capabilities to visualize the brain. Application of these methods has allowed identification of brain structures and patterns of functional activation altered in offspring of mothers who used licit (e.g., alcohol and tobacco) and illicit (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana) drugs during pregnancy. Here we review that literature, which though somewhat limited by the complexities of separating the specific effects of each drug from other confounding variables, points to sets of interconnected brain structures as being altered following prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. In particular, dopamine-rich cortical (e.g., frontal cortex) and subcortical (e.g., basal ganglia) fetal brain structures show evidence of vulnerability to intrauterine drug exposure suggesting that during brain development drugs of abuse share a specific profile of developmental neurotoxicity. Such brain malformations may shed light on mechanisms underlying prenatal drug-induced brain injury, may serve as bio-markers of significant intrauterine drug exposure, and may additionally be predictors of subsequent neuro-developmental compromise. Wider clinical use of these research-based non-invasive methods will allow for improved diagnosis and allocation of therapeutic resources for affected infants, children, and young adults.
Topics: Adult; Brain; Child; Developmental Disabilities; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Pregnancy; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 19560049
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2009.03.001 -
Behavioral and Brain Functions : BBF Jan 2010Very little is known about attention deficits in developmental dyscalculia, hence, this study was designed to provide the missing information. We examined attention... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Very little is known about attention deficits in developmental dyscalculia, hence, this study was designed to provide the missing information. We examined attention abilities of participants suffering from developmental dyscalculia using the attention networks test - interactions. This test was designed to examine three different attention networks--executive function, orienting and alerting--and the interactions between them.
METHODS
Fourteen university students that were diagnosed as suffering from developmental dyscalculia--intelligence and reading abilities in the normal range and no indication of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--and 14 matched controls were tested using the attention networks test-interactions. All participants were given preliminary tests to measure mathematical abilities, reading, attention and intelligence.
RESULTS
The results revealed deficits in the alerting network--a larger alerting effect--and in the executive function networks--a larger congruity effect in developmental dyscalculia participants. The interaction between the alerting and executive function networks was also modulated by group. In addition, developmental dyscalculia participants were slower to respond in the non-cued conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
These results imply specific attentional deficits in pure developmental dyscalculia. Namely, those with developmental dyscalculia seem to be deficient in the executive function and alertness networks. They suffer from difficulty in recruiting attention, in addition to the deficits in numerical processing.
Topics: Adult; Attention; Developmental Disabilities; Executive Function; Female; Humans; Learning Disabilities; Male; Nerve Net; Neuropsychological Tests; Reaction Time; Young Adult
PubMed: 20157427
DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-6-2 -
Journal of the Formosan Medical... Jul 2020The prevalence of developmental disabilities in Taiwan remains unclear, especially in young children under the age 3. We aimed to study the prevalence of developmental...
Prevalence of preschool children developmental disabilities in northeastern Taiwan - Screening with Taipei City Developmental Screening Checklist for Preschoolers, 2nd Version.
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
The prevalence of developmental disabilities in Taiwan remains unclear, especially in young children under the age 3. We aimed to study the prevalence of developmental disabilities and verify a useful developmental screening tool in a community setting in Taiwan.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in northeastern Taiwan from July 2008 to December 2009 in children aged 4 months to 6 years old from well-child visits. We devised a screening program using Taipei City Developmental Screening Checklist for Preschoolers, 2nd Version (Taipei-II), a validated parent-report milestone checklist tailored to the Taiwanese culture and language to assess the prevalence of developmental disabilities in Taiwan. Information about the children's medical conditions and their family were recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 3214 children were recruited, of whom 365 had developmental disabilities, with an overall prevalence of 11.36%. Speech and language delay/disorders were the most common developmental problems followed by motor delays, with prevalence rates of 4.79% and 2.33%, respectively. Low economic status, prematurity and/or small for gestational age and a history of perinatal hypoxia or underlying medical disorders were the main risk factors correlated with developmental delays. However, foreign-born mother and aboriginal families were not important factors for poor developmental outcomes.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence rate of developmental disabilities in northeastern Taiwan was 11.36%. Low economic status, prematurity and/or small for gestational age and a history of underlying medical disorders were the main risk factors correlated with developmental disabilities. Taipei II is an easy-to-use and effective developmental surveillance tool for Taiwanese children.
Topics: Checklist; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developmental Disabilities; Humans; Infant; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Taiwan
PubMed: 32089374
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.02.001 -
Research in Developmental Disabilities Oct 2018Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) exhibit sensory features that differ from their typically developing peers. Prior...
BACKGROUND
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) exhibit sensory features that differ from their typically developing peers. Prior cross-sectional research has demonstrated significant associations between elevated sensory features and lower adaptive behavior scores, yet there is limited prospective research examining longitudinal associations.
AIMS
To examine the longitudinal prediction of early sensory response patterns (i.e., hyperresponsiveness, hyporesponsiveness, and sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking behaviors) to later adaptive behavior outcomes in children with ASD and DD.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Children with ASD (n = 51) and DD (n = 30) were seen at two time points (Time 1: M(SD) = 5.6(2.5) years; Time 2: M(SD) = 9.0(2.2) years). We used a series of regression models with both observational and parent-report measures of sensory response patterns, and including group interactions.
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS
All three sensory response patterns significantly predicted aspects of adaptive behaviors, with some differences based on assessment format and diagnostic group. Across groups and sensory patterns, we found some evidence that elevated sensory features early in childhood predicted lower adaptive behavior skills later in childhood.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Sensory features may interfere with development of adaptive behaviors, suggesting a need for effective interventions addressing sensory features early in development.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Child Behavior; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities; Early Intervention, Educational; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Processes; Prognosis
PubMed: 30060977
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.07.002 -
PLoS Medicine Sep 2017Pamela Collins and colleagues explain the research and policy approaches needed globally to ensure children with developmental delays and disabilities are fully included...
Pamela Collins and colleagues explain the research and policy approaches needed globally to ensure children with developmental delays and disabilities are fully included in health and education services.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Developmental Disabilities; Disabled Persons; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Infant; Policy; Research
PubMed: 28922419
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002393