THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common pediatric disability causing long-term functional limitations. CP remarkably influences the life of those affected and their families. For this reason it is important and necessary to direct attention not only type of the CP, but also the impact the disorder has on the child, parents, siblings and the entire family as a whole. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of CP on the child’s quality of life, considering parents’ perceptions about their child's illness, in order to underline the impact the illness has not only on the child but also his/her family. Methods: The study included both parents of the 36 subjects enrolled (19 mal…

How to use the SBEM in the practical engineering?

Forensic considerations on violent parasomnias during lifespan

Nocturnal parasomnias are a group of sleep complex manifestation that don't alter the sleep macrostructure, but when persistent during adulthood may be assume violent aspects with relevant forensic implications about the guiltiness.

Rivalutazione degli Idrolati dell’industria agrumaria siciliana.

Gli idrolati, o acque aromatiche, sono i prodotti dell'idrodistillazione di specie aromatiche. Possono essere ottenuti dall'intera pianta o parti di essa, allo stato fresco o in buona conservazione come fiori o, nel nostro caso, dai frutti del Genere Citrus. Le sue proprietà sono utilizzate nella produzione di alimenti, cosmetici e profumi, o in farmacia e aromaterapia. Essi sono comunemente considerati un sottoprodotto degli oli essenziali, ma in realtà, data la diversa composizione e la conseguente maggiore delicatezza, hanno un loro apprezzabile utilizzo, legato comunque al mantenimento delle proprietà delle piante da cui derivano. La produzione degli oli essenziali nell'industria agruma…

Rehabilitative treatment proposals in pediatric non-verbal syndrome

Nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) can be defined as a specific learning disorder peculiar for deficits in non-verbal area, such as visuospatial and visuo-constructive difficulties, fine motor coordination impairments, and poor mathematics achievement, associated with well-developed language skills. aim of the present work is suggesting rehabilitative proposal for management treatment of NVLD in pediatric age tailored on children and based on EBM.

Interaction problems between in-plane and out-plane plates by SBEM

Motor skills in children with primary headache: A pilot case-control study

Background: Headache is the most common painful manifestation in the developmental age, often accompanied by severe disability such as scholastic absenteeism, low quality of academic performance and compromised emotional functioning. The aim of the study is to evaluate praxic abilities in a population of children without aural migraine. Materials and methods: The test population consists of 10 subjects without migraine without aura (MwA), (8 Males) (mean age 8.40, SD ± 1.17) and 11 healthy children (7 Males) (mean age 8.27; SD ± 1.10; p = 0.800). All subjects underwent evaluation of motor coordination skills through the Battery for Children Movement Assessment (M-ABC). Results: The two grou…

A brief review about anxiety and aggressive behavior in pediatric age

Anxiety can be considered a normal experience of the human being and as such also of the child. It manifests itself in different ways according to the level of development: in the smaller the child, the more anxiety is expressed with manifestations that involve the whole organism, becoming evident either with motor excitement or with physical discomfort. As the psychic apparatus is structured, anxiety is experienced as an inner phenomenon and is experienced as an unpleasant state. Fortunately, we are all a bit anxious, even if there are some people who are more, others less.

Neuropsychomotricity in water: A new rehabilitative tool for neruodevelop-mental disorders

Neuropsychomotricity in water is a rehabilitative practice that avails itself just of the liquid element, as a mediator of relationships: in water yes they upset all dynamics, be they relational, of equilibrium, of movement and perception, due to the fact that proprioceptive sensations, created by bodily contact with water, they are different than those generated by contact with air.

A MINIREVIEW ABOUT SPORTING PRACTICE IN EPILEPTIC CHILDREN

Movement is important for neuropsycho-physical development, ensuring the correct growth and giving many benefits from childhood to adulthood. Motor activity plays a pivotal role in psychological, educational and social terms: sport practice induces harmonious physical development with common important benefits independently from sport type and each sport imposes rules respect that children learns to know and respect step by step improving the social skills and cognitive abilities. Sport has a very important role in the growth of children and adolescents. Sport and physical activity work as a moral laboratory to practice decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as teamwork and coo…

Orexin system: Network multi-tasking

Orexin system regulates sleep/wake states and its deficiency result in narcolepsy thus indicating the crucial role of orexins in maintaining wakefulness. There are two types of orexin peptides: the orexin-A (OXA or hypocretin 1) and orexin-B (OXB or hypocre- tin 2). The Majority of the central nervous system orexin peptides are synthesized in neurons located in the lateral and back hypotha- lamus and send projections throughout the brain regions Orexin neurons are “multi-tasking” hence regulating also energy homeosta- sis, reward systems and feeding behaviour through connection with hypothalamic nuclei and through responsiveness to leptine and glucose. It has recently been found a connectio…

Internalizing problems are related to sleep patterns disordered in children affected by primary headache

Introduction: Migraine is a common disorder in children and adolescents, associated with various disorders such as emotions, behavioral problems, and sleep disturbances. Aim of the study is to verify the relationship between psychological problems of cephalalgic patients and sleep disturbances. Materials and methods: 64 subjects (27 females), aged 8-12 years (mean 9.4 years, SD ± 1.03) with primary headache were enrolled. CBCL 6-18 scale and the SDSC scale were used for behavioral screening and for assessing sleep habits. Results: According to the ICHD-III criteria, the distribution of the headache subtype was as follows: headaches without aura (71.87%), headache episodes typical of tensio…

Autonomic Regulation In Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: The sinactive developmental model provides suggests a different way for the brain study by observing the children behavior. In all neurodevelopmental disorders, we can observe autonomic alteration comprising sleep disorders, meal behaviour alteration and self-regulatory impairment. These alterations/impairment are very frequent in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (1-12). Aim of the present preliminary study is the assessment of metabolic rate in children affected by ASD. Material s and methods. 5 males affected by ASD aged 7-10 years (mean age 6.73±3:39), were recruited. The average score at the ADOS scale was 12.24 (SD± 3.29). The control group consisted of 5 males typically d…

MOTION SICKNESS IN CHILDHOOD MIGRAINE

Background: Migraine is a chronic, progressive, and debilitating disorder that has an impact on the lives of millions of individuals. The origins of the disability can be traced into childhood and adolescence for most adult migraine sufferers. The group of periodic syndromes consists in symptoms related to migraine, thought to be migraine equivalent or precursors. Aim of this study is to assess the role of MS as risk factors for childhood migraine. Materials and methods: 441 subjects (211 Females) aged 6-13 years (mean 9.20; SD 2.42), consecutively referred between October 2007 to March 2009 for primary headaches to pediatric Centers for Headache in Childhood. Control group consisted of 365…

Neurosciences and attachment theory: A brief review

The attachment theory was proposed and elaborated by John Bowlby. Over the last ten years the attachment theory has attracted considerable interest in the field of mental health as it emphasizes how relationships that are established in the earliest stages of development have an impact on man in an indefinable and lifelong manner.

Ketogenic diet as antiepileptic therapy: Administration and formulas

In 1921 Wilder defined classical cholesterol diet providing the patient with a daily calorie intake of less than 20% compared to age-related requirements. The main macronutrient is represented by saturated and long chain unsaturated fatty acids, in the ratio of 4: 1 to carbohydrates and proteins (4 grams of lipids per gram of carbohydrates and proteins). One of the first therapeutic protocols proposed is that of John Hopkins that the onset of the diet should take place in a hospital environment to assess the patient's response in a controlled situation.

Borderline intellectual functioning and parental stress: An italian case-control study

Introduction: Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) children comprises a group of subjects whit intelligence quotient (IQ) ranging 71-85, with a prevalence about 13.6%. Several studies pinpointed the role of parenting on BIF management. Aim of present study was evaluating with objective and validated tool the parental stress rate in mothers of an Italian sample of BIF children. Materials and methods: 26 BIF children (20 males and 6 females) aged 6-10 years (mean age 10.36± 2.03), according to DSM-5 criteria, and 53 (42 males and 11 females) typical developing children (mean age 10.58 ± 1.97) were recruited for present study. Mothers of all enrolled children underwent an evaluation with …

THE DYNAMIC MATURATIVE MODEL FOR ATTACHMENT

The Dynamic-Maturation Model (DMM) was developed by Patricia Crittenden (1-4), which focused its studies on attachment to different ethnic, socio-cultural and dangers as families in which episodes of Maltreatment and abuse or families with high psychosocial risk. Crittenden proposes new protocols of the Strange Situation (SS) and the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) based on a coding and classification system derived from the model proposed by Ainsworth, but modified and enriched with that of Main, Goldwyn and Hesse. The SS procedure, adopted for children aged between 10 and 18 months, is valid until all preschool age, assuming This way the name of the Preschool Assessment of Attachment (PA…

EMotional Intelligence And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome In Children: Preliminary Case-Control Study

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects up to 4% of pediatric population, with many co-morbidities in the medium-long term. Functional alterations in prefrontal cortex (PFC) may explain why OSAS impacts aspects such as: executive functions, memory, motor control, attention, visual-spatial skills, learning and mood regulation. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a complex neuropsychological function that could be impaired in many clinical conditions. Aim of the study is to evaluate the difference in emotional intelligence skills among children with OSAS and healthy subjects Materials and methods: 29 children (16 males) mean age 9.5 ± 1.54 years, affected by OSAS were compare…

THE SYNACTIVE THEORY OF DEVELOPMENT: THE KEYWORD FOR NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

The synactive theory of development may be considered the keyword for neurodevelopmental disorders, considering that each one presents constantly autonomic troubles such as sleep disorders, feeding problems.

Sicurezza delle pareti murarie soggette a forze fuori dal piano.

Beneficial effects of pasta during pregnancy: The positive effects of mediterranean diet

Pregnancy is a physiological state during which the woman's body undergoes profound modifications. During this time, every woman must be nourished in such a way as to maintain herself in good health and at the same time allow the fetal tissues to form and develop in the best way. Proper nutrition is one of the fundamental prerequisites for the normal evolution of both pregnancy and fetal growth: the quantity and quality of food and drinks must be scrupulously controlled. Contrariwise, it is important to avoid the excess calories and macronutrients. In fact, during pregnancy, it may be just as harmful as their shortage, especially in overweight and obese women, for which the risk of miscarri…

Sensory perception in preschool children affected by autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behavioral syndrome caused by a developmental disorder, biologically determined, with onset in the first three years of life. The areas concerned are mainly those related to social communication, social interaction and mutual functional and symbolic play. In the last decades, different conceptions of autism have taken, also emphasizing different sensory-perceptual abnormalities as the basis of the central features of disorder. This pilot study intends to address the issue of sensory perception in preschool children affected by ASD. Material and methods: 11 ASD children were enrolled (7 males, 4 female) aged between 2.3 years and 4.6 years, (…

Anxiety levels in mothers of children affected by x-fragile syndrome

Introduction: Anxiety is the psychological process by which the individual reacts to dangerous external stimuli, triggering responses (mediated by norepinephrine, GABA and serotonin) involving physiological reactions and cognitive strategies. Anxiety can be differentiated in state anxiety and trait anxiety. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a disorder most commonly caused by a triplet repeat expansion of > 200 cytosine-guanine-guanine (CGG) repeats in the 50 untranslated region of the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Aim of the present study is investigating the state or trait anxiety in a sample of mothers of children affected by X-fragile. Materials and methods: 84 mothers (mean age …

Mind, brain and altered states of consciousness

The consciousness is the expression of an enormous and complex variety of neurobiological events, phenomenological and psychological that, from the early stages of development, prepare the emergence soil of the Self. It is a complex of tangible and intan- gible characters distinct from one another - neural infrastructure, awareness, temporality, qualitative subjectivity, intentionality - to such an extent as to seem welded faces of the same prism. Consciousness is not a simple function of the mind, but its organization. In this paper we intend to show how its order is not strictly hierarchical, but sustained by multiple horizontal levels, each of which in a structural and functional continu…

Behavioral aspects in children's brothers affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a permanent and complex disability arising within the first three years of life characterized by a socio-communicative disorder and by fixed interests and repetitive behaviors. The present pilot study aims to evaluate behavioral aspects in a small population of siblings of ASD children. Material and methods: Population: 5 school-aged children (2 males, 3 females) (mean age 9.235 ± 2.041) were enrolled, as siblings of ASD children, and for comparison, 12 healthy (7 males, 5 females) children (average age 9,528 ± 3,351). All subjects underwent evaluation of the behavioral with Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scale. Results: The two groups were…

Executive functioning in preschool children affected by autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a complex set of neurological dysfunction and development characterized by deficits in social and non-verbal interaction. Few studies have explored the executive functioning in ASD preschoolers. The aim of this pilot study is the assessment of executive functioning in preschool children with ASD. Material and methods: 8 ASD children (7 males, 1 female) mean age 3.09 (SD ± 0.83 years) were enrolled in the study and compared with a control group of 15 typically developing children (12 males, 3 females) (mean age 24.3 ± 0.61). All subjects underwent assessment of executive functioning with the BRIEF-P test. Results: The two groups were matched …

Macro-elements in the mixed boundary value problems

The symmetric Galerkin boundary element method (SGBEM), applied to elastostatic problems, is employed in defining a model with BE macro-elements. The model is governed by symmetric operators and it is characterized by a small number of independent variables upon the interface between the macro-elements.

Appropriate management of growth hormone deficiency during the age of transition: an Italian Delphi consensus statement

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) describes the impairment of growth hormone (GH) secretion by the pituitary somatotroph cells. GHD may be congenital, with causes, including genetic alterations and structural brain malformations, or acquired, including midline tumours, cranial irradiation, traumatic brain injury, central nervous system infections and inflammatory conditions. GHD in children is characterised by short stature, delayed bone maturation and abnormalities in substrate metabolism, body composition, physical and psychosocial functioning, all of which improve with recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy. The diagnosis of GHD is based on clinical signs and symptoms, biochemistry and imagin…