ABSTRACT
Objectives: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor impairment syndrome leading to disorders of movement and posture. Screening of electrophysiological parameters Hoffman reflex (H-reflex and nerve conduction velocities) becomes a necessary for the early detection and management of the disease. The study aimed to assess the various electrophysiological parameters of nerve conduction velocity in CP and age-matched normal children. Matrials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed between children suffering from CP and healthy control. A total of 27 children of 12–24 months of age of either sex were examined. Among them, six children were normal (with age match), seven were diagnosed with spastic CP and remaining 14 children were diagnosed with hypotonic CP The electrophysiological parameters were recorded in the right lower limb (posterior tibial nerve-soleus muscle) of all children. Results: In electrophysiological parameters, H-reflex latency in secs values was significantly decreased in all CP children. The maximum amplitudes of reflexly excitable motor neurons (Hmax) (mV) and Hmax/maximum amplitude of motor response ratio in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle were significantly increased in spastic CPas compared to control. H-reflex conduction velocity (HRCV) was significantly higher than motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in hypotonic CP children. Conclusion: The electrophysiological parameters were altered in spastic CP children. The electrophysiological parameters in hypotonic CP were within range, indicating they did not suppress the neuronal motor pool. However, HRCV was significantly more than MNCV in hypotonic CP, suggesting some myelination process defect/white matter injury in motor neurons. We concluded that the electrophysiological parameters of the nerve conduction study are a reliable test for the assessment of tone of muscles in children. Thus, it may help in the early initiation of the treatment and therapies in CP children.
ABSTRACT
Background: The status of mental well-being is a function of emotional well-being, psychological well-being and social well-being, and includes aspects like cognitive and social skills, emotional capacity, empathy, ability to cope with adverse events, and capability to function within a society. Various studies have found strong correlations between a person’s immediate surroundings to how they perceive their well-being as well as their actual status of mental health. On one hand, social determinants affect the causation, severity and outcome of mental well-being, on the other hand the state of mental well-being affects the social determinants by affecting personal freedom, ability to make healthy life choices etc. This makes the study of social determinants of mental health very significant.Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory study of qualitative nature was undertaken in Patna among School going students between the ages 13-17. A self-administered peer reviewed questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: Of 400 participants 19% have features of depression and other mental health problems. Females were more affected. Students of low socioeconomic group (41.6%) and of single parent family (40%) were affected.Conclusions: Mental health problems are very common in adolescent school students. Active steps must be taken to increase awareness about depression among teachers and parents. Early intervention can help prevent worsening of depression and its impact on life.