Children’s neurological diseases are complex. Common clinical diseases include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, etc. The rehabilitation methods in China mainly start with children’s language and cognition. Animal-assisted intervention is a kind of psychosocial intervention, including animal assisted therapy, animal assisted education or animal assisted activities under specific conditions. With its popularity in the world, this field is rapidly approaching a paradigm shift and can be used as a new supplementary and alternative treatment for children’s neurological diseases. By analyzing the literature on animal-assisted intervention and research on children’s neurological diseases, this paper summarizes the application methods and effects of various types of animals in clinical practice, aiming to provide new intervention methods with scientific theoretical basis for the rehabilitation of children with neurological diseases in China and promote the further development of rehabilitation in China.
Objective To systematically review and analyze the risk factors of epilepsy in children, to explore the related etiology of epilepsy in children, and to provide evidence-based strategies for reducing the occurrence of epilepsy in children. Methods PubMed, Embase, VIP, CNKI, Web of science, Cohrane, and CBM were searched for relevant studies on risk factors for childhood epilepsy since the establishment of the database, and the study type was selected as a case-control study. After screening and quality evaluation, the literatures that met the requirements were finally selected for inclusion in the study, and the extracted target data were statistically analyzed by RevMan5.3 software. Results A total of 9 literatures were included for Meta-analysis of the risk factors of epilepsy in children. A total of 3792 cases were studied, including 1 922 cases in the control group and 1 870 cases in the case group. Meta-analysis results showed that adverse perinatal period, family history of epilepsy, febrile seizures, and central nervous system infection were closely related to the occurrence of epilepsy in children, and the OR values were OR=3.46, 95%CI (2.51, 4.79), OR=4.77, 95%CI (3.83, 5.95), OR=7.81, 95%CI ( 5.64, 10.80), OR=3.00, 95%CI (1.44, 6.26), P values were all less than 0.05. Conclusions Adverse perinatal period, family history of epilepsy, febrile seizures, and central nervous system infection are the current risk factors for childhood epilepsy.
Objective To research whether systemic family therapy is a useful intervention for behavioral problems. Methods Two hundred and seventy six children who were in the fourth grade of elementary school were assessed by family dynamics questionnaires and their parents were tested by Achenbach Child Behavioral Checklist. Fifty-seven children with behavioral problems were divided into two groups: 20 children and their parents agreed to receive systemic therapy for four weeks and 37 children and their parents who refused this therapy formed the control group.All children and their parents were reassessed after four months. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. Results The characteristics of family dymanmic and children’s behavior improved significantly after systemic therapy. The "depressing and hostile family" at mosphere became "harmonious and open" (P=0.000) and this was also significantly better than the control group after therapy(P=0.000). "Self-differentiation of family members" was significantly improved after therapy (P=0.000) and also was significantly better than the control group after therapy (P=0.005). "Patient is helpless victim" changed to "Patient can do something" (P=0.000) and this was significantly better than the control group after therapy (P=0.003) . Total CBCL score decreased in the treatment group after therapy (P=0.003 for father, P=0.000 for mother). Compared with the control group. Total CBCL score also showed decreases (P=0.033 for father, P=0.014 for mother). Conclusions The techniques of systemic family therapy are practical and effective methods to intervene children’s behavioral problems.
Objective To determine the extent of off-label drug use in Pediatric Wards of West China Second University Hospital in 2010 and analyze its risk factors, so as to provide baseline data for getting acquainted with the extent of off-label drug use in pediatrics in China, and for making policies of off-label drug use. Methods The proportionate stratified random sampling was conducted to select medical advice and discharge medication for hospitalized children in Pediatric Wards in 2010. According to drug instructions, the off-label drug use of prescriptions of all selected children was analyzed in the following aspects, the category of off-label drug use, age, category of drugs and wards. In addition, a logistic regression was done that modeled the odds of receiving an off-label prescription as a function of the following possible risk factors: age, sex and the rank of doctors. Results The total 749 children were selected, and 14 374 prescriptions involving 385 drugs were analyzed. The rate of off-label drug use was 98.00%, 78.96% and 88.05% in children, prescriptions and drug categories, respectively. The main categories of off-label drug use were no pediatric information (29.41%), indication (18.35%), dosage (17.61%) and dosage range (±20%) (13.52%). The top 2 age groups of off-label drug use were adolescents (83.56%) and children (80.58%). The top 4 drugs of off-label use were those for alimentary tract and metabolism (82.28%), anti-infectives for systemic use (75.06%), blood and blood forming organs (79.27%) and respiratory (58.27%). The top 2 wards of off-label drug use were Pediatric Hematology (88.27%) and Neonates (79.12%). In hospital, children, adolescents and male patients had higher risk factors of off-label drug use, and doctors with senior rank prescribed more off-label prescriptions than those with intermediate rank. Conclusion The off-label drug use in Pediatric Wards is common in West China Second University Hospital. On the one hand, drug instructions lack the pediatric information, and, on the other hand, it’s badly in need of developing relevant legislations, regulations or guidelines to regulate off-label drug use, in order to avoid doctor’s professional risks and ensure the safety of pediatric drug use.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical characteristics and outcome of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in children aged no more than 14 years, and to discuss the selection of prosthesis.MethodsFrom September 2002 to August 2019, 14 patients aged no more than 14 years who received TVR were included in our study. There were 9 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 9.8±4.3 years.ResultsMechanical prosthesis was implanted in 8 patients, and bioprosthesis in 6 patients. The mean cardiopulmonary time and aortic-clamp time was 170.3±109.8 min and 95.1±63.1 min, respectively. The mortality within 30 days after surgery was 21.4% (3/14), and all 3 patients died of severe low cardiac output syndrome. Eleven patients were followed up for 34-199 (100.1±57.4) months. During the follow-up, mechanical prosthesis dysfunction occurred in 3 patients, 2 of whom received secondary TVR. One patient died during the follow-up.ConclusionThe bioprosthesis is the first choice for TVR in children. Some long-term complications may occur after TVR, and close follow-up and timely intervention are needed.
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to understand the relationship between IQ and glucose metabolism in brain cells in a wide variety of epilepsy subjects. MethodsThe study participants were 78 children with epilepsy and 15 healthy children for comparison. All participants were administered the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C-WISC). The verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) and full scale intelligence quotient (FIQ) were compared between epileptic children and typically developing children. 78 patients underwent interictal positron emission computed tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) as the tracer for evaluating brain glucose metabolism. ResultsVIQ, PIQ and FIQ based on the C-WISC were significantly lower in epileptic children than those in the healthy comparison group (P < 0.001, P=0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The IQ of patients with normal metabolism, unifocal abnormal hypometabolism and multifocal abnormal hypometabolism determined by PET differed significantly. The extent of the abnormal hypometabolism was negatively correlated with the FIQ (rs=-0.549, P < 0.001). In patients with lateralized hypometabolism based on PET, the VIQ/PIQ discrepancy (︱VIQ-PIQ︱≥15 points)scores differed significantly between the left hemisphere abnormal hypometabolism and right hemisphere abnormal hypometabolism subgroups, being negative values in the left and positive values in the right subgroups(P=0.004). ConclusionsBrain metabolic abnormalities are correlated with IQ, and perfoming interictal PET along with C-WISC can better assess the extent of severity of cognitive impairment and VIQ/PIQ discrepancy.
Objective To recognize the risk factors of unplanned re-interventions within 30 days after pediatric cardiac surgery and evaluate the outcome of re-interventions. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 202 children in Fuwai Hospital between January 1, 2015 and August 31, 2017. There were 115 males and 87 females at average age of 32.4 months with range of 3 days to 14 years. Results There were 202 children who underwent unplanned re-intervention during 30 days post-operation, including 54 re-adjustments of pulmonary blood flow, 34 re-corrections for residual cardiac abnormalities, 28 cardiopulmonary resuscitations, 38 for coagulation problems, 19 pericardial drainages, 11 palliative re-operations to deliver heart load and 6 diaphragmatic folds and 12 others. The mortality rate among children who underwent unplanned re-inventions after cardiac surgery was 10.9% (22/202). It was much higher than those free from re-interventions (0.7%). Time of mechanical ventilation was 284.3 (11–2 339) h, and mean ICU stay was 17.7 (1–154) d, significantly longer than those free from re-interventions at the same period. Conclusion Unplanned re-interventions after pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with higher mortality rate and longer recovery time. Early identifying risk factors and re-intervention can reduce the complications and improve the prognosis.
Objective To summarize our experience on leaflet extension in reoperation after tricuspid valve repair in children at age≤15 years and to explore the application indicators and skills of this technique. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 23 children who underwent reoperation after tricuspid valve repair in Xinhua Hospital between January 2006 and October 2015. There were 15 males and 8 females with a mean age of 8.7 years, ranging from 5 to 15 years. The leaflet was extended by artificial pericardium patch. After surgery, warfarin anticoagulation therapy was done, and international normalized ratio was maintained 2.0 to 3.0. Results The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 87-132 (98.5±35.7) minutes, and average aortic cross-clamping time was 56-97 (68.40±23.78) minutes. One patient died in hospital. There were 3 patients with complications including respiratory failure in 1 patient, acute renal failure in 1 patient, and right heart insufficiency in 1 patient. All the children cured and were followed up for 5 months to 10 years, with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. One patient died during the follow-up. Six patients suffered mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation and tricuspid valve function of the rest patients was good. No other redo-valve surgery or complications correlated to anticoagulation occurred. Conclusion Leaflet extension in reoperation after tricuspid valve repair in children is useful with optimistic middle to long term efficacy and needs intensive care therapy during the perioperative period.
Objective To compare the short- to mid-term outcomes of aortic valve plasty (AVP) and Ross surgery in children with severe aortic valve disease. Methods The patients (aged<18 years) with severe aortic valve disease who underwent AVP (an AVP group) or Ross surgery (a Ross group) at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively included. We compared perioperative and follow-up data between the groups. Results A total of 48 pediatric patients were included, including 28 males and 20 females, with an average age of (9.3±4.5) years. There were 25 patients in the AVP group, and 23 in the Ross group. Leaflet thinning (15/25, 60.0%) and leaflet extension (10/25, 40.0%) were the most common strategies used in the AVP group, while root replacement technique (12/23, 52.2%) and subcoronary technique (10/23, 43.5%) were the most frequently used strategies in the Ross group. There was no in-hospital death. The median follow-up time was 16.0 (7.0, 30.0) months. Peak flow velocity of the aortic valve was higher in the AVP group [2.0 (1.4, 2.9) m/s vs. 1.2 (1.0, 1.5) m/s, P<0.001], while there was no statistical difference in the postoperative aortic valve regurgitation severity between the two groups (P=0.127). During follow-up, the overall reoperation rate and aortic valve reoperation rate were similar between the AVP group and the Ross group (8.0% vs. 13.0%, P=0.922; 8.0% vs. 0.0%, P=0.266). The rate of recurrent aortic valve disease was higher in the AVP group (52.0% vs. 4.3%, P<0.001), while further analysis failed to recognize any risk factors. Conclusion AVP and Ross procedure show similar perioperative safety, survival and reoperation rate. The rate of recurrent aortic valve disease is higher in the AVP group, but further investigations are needed to confirm the causes.
ObjectiveTo analyze the perdictive value of Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP) for malnutrition or postoperative complications in children with critical congenital heart disease (CHD).MethodsA total of 875 children with critical CHD who were hospitalized in West China Hospital, Sichuan University form August 2019 to February 2021, including 442 males and 433 females with a median age of 30 (12, 48) months, were assessed by STAMP in Health Information System. Clinical data of postoperative complications were collected.Results(1) Based on World Health Organization Z-score as gold standard, 24.5% had malnutrition risk, and 34.3% were diagnosed with malnutrition. According to STAMP, the children were with medium malnutrition risk of 37.9% and high malnutrition risk of 62.1%. There was a statistical difference of incidence rate of malnutrition and detection rate of STAMP malnutrition risk in gender, age, ICU stay or length of mechanical ventilation (P<0.05); (2) with the optimal cut-off point of 5.5 in STAMP for malnutrition, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the curve (AUC) were 68.3%, 84.3%, 48.1%, 88.3% and 0.82, respectively; (3) 12.0% of the children were with postoperative complications; (4) with the optimal cut-off point of 5.5 in STAMP for postoperative complications, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and AUC were 83.8%, 73.1%, 18.8%, 99.1% and 0.85, respectively.ConclusionChildren with critical CHD have a higher incidence of malnutrition risk and postoperative complications. STAMP has a good perdictive value for malnutrition or postoperative complications, however, the sensitivity and specificity of STAMP are affected by the gold standard or the cut-off point.