Trastorno paroxístico no epiléptico en paciente referido por sospecha de epilepsia / Paroxysmal non-epileptic events in patients referred for suspicion of epilepsy

Los Trastornos Paroxísticos No Epilépticos (TPNE), son diagnóstico diferencial de crisis epilépticas. En Chile no existen reportes de frecuencia. OBJETIVO: Determinar frecuencia de TPNE en pacientes derivados por sospecha de epilepsia a Unidad de Electroencefalografía, Hospital Roberto del Río. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio observacional, transversal. Se revisó registros clínicos de pacientes derivados por sospecha de epilepsia(2012- 2014). Inclusión: paciente con TPNE, >1 mes, sin epilepsia previa. Caracterización: sexo, edad, tipo/subtipo TPNE, comorbilidades, electroencefalograma (EEG), uso fármaco antiepiléptico (FAE). Aprobado por comité de ética. RESULTADOS: Derivados 913 pacientes por sospecha de epilepsia. 36% TPNE (2,3% con epilepsia concomitante), 22% epilepsia aislada. TPNE más frecuente: escolares (31%), adolescentes (29%), femenino (52%). 30,1% hipoxia cerebral (síncope, Espasmo Sollozo); 22,4% trastornos del comportamiento (Descontrol Episódico, Crisis Psicógena no Epiléptica). 32,8% con comorbilidades no epilépticas (Trastornos psiquiátricos/neurodesarrollo). 4,3 % recibieron FAE. CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia de TPNE en niños/adolescentes supera a la de epilepsia. Es fundamental evaluación multidisciplinaria.

Paroxysmal non-epileptic events (PNE) are differential diagnosis of epileptic seizures. In Chile, there are no reports on its frequency. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of PNE in patients referred for suspicion of epilepsy to the Electroencephalography Unit of Roberto del Río Hospital. METHODOLOGY: Observational, cross-sectional study. Clinical records of patients referred for suspicion of epilepsy (2012-2014) were reviewed. Inclusion: Patient with PNE, >1 month, without previous epilepsy. Characterization: gender, age, PNE type/subtype, comorbidities, electroencephalogram, use of antiepileptic drug (AED). Approved by the ethics committee. RESULTS: 913 patients were referred for suspected epilepsy: 36% PNE (2,3% with concomitant epilepsy), 22% isolated epilepsy. PNE were more frequent in children (31%) adolescents (29%), and in females (52%). 30.1% Cerebral hypoxia (syncope, breathholding-spells); 22,4% Behavioral disorders (Episodic loss of control, Non-Epileptic Psychogenic Seizures). 32.8% non-epileptic comorbidities (Psychiatric/ neurodevelopmental disorders). 4.3% received AEDs. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of PNE in children and adolescents exceeds that of epilepsy. A multidisciplinary medical evaluation is of the outmost importance. Keywords: Paroxysmal Non-Epileptic Disorder, Non-epileptic episodes, Epilepsy.

Prevalence of functioning difficulties and disability in Mexican adolescent women and their populational characteristics / Prevalencia de dificultades de funcionamiento y discapacidad en adolescentes mexicanas y sus características poblacionales

Abstract: Objective: Report prevalence of functioning difficulties and disabilities among Mexican adolescent women 15-17 years old and identify differences in characteristics of those with and without a functioning difficulty or disability Materials and methods: Using data from the National Survey of Boys, Girls and Women in Mexico 2015 we estimated prevalence of functioning difficulties and disability and used chi square tests for independence and logistic regression to explore associations between this condition and various characteristics. Results: Of Mexican adolescent women 15-17 years old, 11.1% had a functioning difficulty or disability. The group of domains of functioning difficulty and disability with by far the highest prevalence was socio-emotional and behavioral functioning difficulties or disability with 8.6%. Being employed, rural residence and self-reported depression symptoms were associated with having functioning difficulties or disability. Conclusions: This survey constitutes an important initial step in collecting data on functioning difficulty and disability in Mexico although larger samples should be studied.

Resumen: Objetivo: Reportar la prevalencia de dificultades de funcionamiento y discapacidad entre mujeres adolescentes mexicanas de 15-17 años e identificar diferencias en características entre las que tienen tal condición y las que no. Material y métodos: Basado en la Encuesta Nacional de Niños, Niñas y Mujeres 2015, se estimaron prevalencias de problemas de funcionamiento y discapacidad y se exploró la relación con varias características con ji cuadrada y regresión logística. Resultados: El 11.1% de las mujeres adolescentes mexicanas de 15-17 años tuvieron dificultades de funcionamiento o discapacidad. El grupo de ámbitos de dificultades de funcionamiento y discapacidad con la mayor prevalencia fue socioemocional y comportamiento con 8.6%. Tener empleo, residencia rural y síntomas de depresión autoreportadas están asociadas con tener dificultades de funcionamiento y discapacidad. Conclusiones: Esta encuesta constituye un primer paso importante en la generación de datos sobre dificultades de funcionamiento y discapacidad en México, aunque se requiere estudiar el tema en muestras mayores.

Juvenile Huntington disease in Argentina / Doença de Huntington juvenil na Argentina

ABSTRACT We analyzed demographic, clinical and genetic characteristics of juvenile Huntington disease (JHD) and it frequency in an Argentinean cohort. Age at onset was defined as the age at which behavioral, cognitive, psychiatric or motor abnormalities suggestive of JHD were first reported. Clinical and genetic data were similar to other international series, however, in this context we identified the highest JHD frequency reported so far (19.72%; 14/71). Age at onset of JHD is challenging and still under discussion. Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that clinical manifestations, other than the typical movement disorder, may anticipate age at onset of even many years. Analyses of JHD cohorts are required to explore it frequency in populations with different backgrounds to avoid an underestimation of this rare phenotype. Moreover, data from selected populations may open new pathways in therapeutic approaches and may explain new potential correlations between HD presentations and environmental or biological factors.

RESUMO Foram analisadas as características demográficas, clínicas e genéticas de doença de Huntington juvenil (JHD) e na freqüência em uma coorte argentino. A idade de início foi definida como a idade em que distúrbios comportamentais, cognitivos, psiquiátricos ou anormalidades motoras sugestivas de JHD foram relatada pela primeira vez. Os dados clínicos e genéticos foram semelhantes aos de outras séries internacionais, no entanto, neste contexto identificamos a maior freqüência de JHD relatados até agora (19,72%; 14/71). A idade de início de JHD é um desafio ainda em discussão. Nossos resultados reforçam a hipótese de que as manifestações clínicas, além do transtorno de movimento típico, pode antecipar a idade de início em muitos anos. As análises de coortes de JHD são obrigados a explorar frequências em populações com diferentes formações, para evitar uma subestimação deste fenótipo raro. Além disso, os dados de populações selecionadas podem abrir novos caminhos em abordagens terapêuticas e pode explicar novas correlações potenciais entre apresentações de HD e fatores ambientais ou biológicas.

Clinical features and treatment with botulinum toxin in blepharospasm: a 17-year experience / Característica clínicas e tratamento com toxina botulínica em blefaroespasmo: experiência de 17 anos

OBJECTIVE: It was to analyze clinical aspects of patients with blepharospasm, including outcomes of botulinum toxin treatment. Additionally, clinical characteristics of isolated blepharospasm were compared to those of blepharospasm plus other movement disorders. METHODS: Clinical data recorded during 17 years were reviewed. The variables included age, gender, age of onset, past medical history, head trauma, smoking history, family history of dystonia, severity, duration of botulinum toxin relief and adverse effects. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were included and 75.2% were female. The mean age of onset was 54.3 years; 89.6% of the individuals started with contractions in eye region, and 39.2% of them spread to lower face or neck. Isolated blepharospasm group was compared with blepharospasm-plus group for demographic and clinical features, and therapeutic outcomes, without significant differences. Botulinum toxin treatment improved the severity of contractions (p=0.01) with low rate of side effects (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Both groups - isolated blepharospasm and blepharospasm-plus - shared similar results concerning epidemiology, clinical features and therapeutic response to botulinum toxin.

OBJETIVOS: Analisar as características clínicas de pacientes com blefaroespasmo e os resultados do tratamento com toxina botulínica. Além disso, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, blefaroespasmo isolado e blefaroespasmo associado a outros distúrbios do movimento, os quais foram comparados quanto a características clínicas e terapêuticas. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados prontuários dos últimos 17 anos. As variáveis consideradas foram idade, sexo, idade de início dos sintomas, antecedentes pessoais, história prévia de trauma crânio-encefálico, tabagismo, história familiar de distonia, gravidade do blefaroespasmo, duração do efeito da toxina botulínica e efeitos adversos. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 125 pacientes, dos quais 75,2% eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade do início dos sintomas era 54,3 anos; 89,6% dos pacientes tiveram início dos sintomas na região ocular e em 39,2% dos casos houve disseminação para face ou pescoço. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos blefaroespasmo isolado versus blefaroespasmo-plus. O tratamento com toxina botulínica proporcionou melhora dos sintomas (p=0,01) com baixa incidência de efeitos adversos (14%). CONCLUSÕES: Ambos os grupos - blefaroespasmo isolado e blefaroespasmo-plus - apresentaram as mesmas características clínicas, epidemiológicas e resposta terapêutica à toxina botulínica.

Magnitud de la discapacidad en Boyacá, Colombia / The scale of disability in the Boyacá Department in Colombia

Objetivo El propósito del presente artículo es presentar la magnitud de la discapacidad en el Departamento de Boyacá a través del establecimiento de sus distribuciones y relaciones de dependencia. Materiales y Métodos Estudio de corte transversal, donde el instrumento empleado fue el propuesto por el DANE para el registro, localización y caracterización de la discapacidad. Se realiza un análisis univariado y bivariado para las 89 preguntas del instrumento. Resultados Se encontró una mayor proporción de discapacidad en mujeres, con ubicación geográfica en el área rural dispersa, con bajos niveles educativos y de participación. Predomino la deficiencia del movimiento de cuerpo, manos, brazos y piernas, así como la dificultad para caminar, correr y saltar. Conclusión Se concluye que existe una dependencia estadísticamente significativa calculada a través del Chi cuadrado de Pearson, entre el fenómeno y los factores sociales, culturales y biológicos.

Objective This paper was aimed at ascertaining the magnitude of disability in the Boyacá Department by establishing its distribution and dependent relationships. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study which involved using the instrument proposed by DANE for recording, localizing and characterizing disability. The instrument's 89 questions were subjected to univariate and bivariate analysis. Results A greater prevalence of disability was found amongst females; it was geographically located in scattered rural areas and amongst those having low educational attainment and poor attendance at school. A deficiency in body, hand, arm and leg movements predominated, as did difficulty in walking, running and jumping. Conclusions There was a statistically significant dependence (calculated by Pearson's chi-square test) between disability and social, cultural and biological factors.

Detección y manejo de síntomas no motores en la enfermedad de Parkinson: impacto en su prevalencia / Detection and management of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: impact on their prevalence

Background: Non-motor symptoms are common among patients with Parkinson disease and include cognitive, psychiatric, sleep and autonomic dysfunctions. Aim: To determine if the detection of non-motor symptoms along with the appropriate referral to an specialist has an impact on their prevalence after one year follow-up. Material and Methods: We included 60 patients diagnosed with Parkinson´ s disease attending to the Movement Disorder Clinic. The presence of non-motor symptoms was determined by the non-motor symptom questionnaire (NMSQuest). Results: The mean NMSQuest scores at baseline and at one year follow up were 12.6 ± 6.2 and 9.9 ± 5.6, respectively (p < 0.01). The non-motor symptoms that showed a statistically significant differences in frequency between baseline and the final assessment, were constipation (p = 0.04), urinary urgency (p = 0.02), hallucinations (p = 0.04), dizziness (p = 0.02) and vivid dreams (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Intentional search for non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson´ s disease along with a multidisciplinary approach has an impact on their prevalence. The change in specific symptoms is probably related to adjustments in dopaminergic management.

Movement disorders in children: Recent advances in management.

In recent years there has been a growing interest towards pediatric movement disorders (PMD). The data derived from the synthesis of clinical observation, neuroimaging, biochemical and, molecular genetics studies have allowed for the identification of a significant number of pediatric diseases featuring movement disorders. The purpose of this review is to outline an approach to the advances in management of dystonia, neurotransmitter disorders, tics, and paroxysmal dyskinetic syndromes starting in children younger than 18 yr of age.

Neurofibromatose tipo 1: mais comum e grave do que se imagina / Neurofibromatosis type 1: more frequent and severe then usually thought

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência das características clínicas da neurofibromatose tipo 1 (NF1), avaliar sua gravidade e visibilidade e quantificar baixa estatura, macrocrania, força muscular e as alterações da motricidade oral e da voz nesta enfermidade. MÉTODOS: 183 pacientes atendidos no Centro de Referência em Neurofibromatose de Minas Gerais (CRNF-MG) foram avaliados quanto à frequência de manifestações clínicas e complicações da NF1. A gravidade e a visibilidade foram avaliadas com o uso de escalas de Riccardi e Ablon respectivamente. As alterações da motricidade oral e da voz foram verificadas com uso do software Vox-Metria, e a medida quantitativa da força muscular realizada com uso de dinamômetro. RESULTADOS: As manifestações clínicas habituais da NF1 observadas neste estudo são semelhantes às descritas na literatura. Entretanto, mais de 50 por cento dos pacientes apresentaram gravidade e visibilidade moderada e grave. A incidência de macrocrania e baixa estatura foi maior nos pacientes do CRNF-MG. As alterações da voz e da motricidade oral foram pela primeira vez quantificadas, com rouquidão e distúrbios da motricidade oral observados em mais de 60 por cento dos pacientes. A força muscular estava reduzida em 67 por cento dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: O perfil clínico destes pacientes é semelhante aos relatos prévios da literatura. Mais da metade dos pacientes avaliados apresenta as formas moderada e grave da doença (gravidade e visibilidade), incluindo baixa estatura, macrocrania, distúrbios da voz e da motricidade oral e redução da força muscular. Os resultados desta pesquisa contrariam o conceito tradicional de que a NF1 é uma doença benigna e demonstram alguns aspectos clínicos, ainda não descritos na literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To study prevalence of clinical features among Brazilian patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1), comparing these features with international data to evaluate the severity and visibility of the disease and quantify less frequent manifestations such as short stature, macrocephaly, muscle strength, voice abnormalities and oral motor disorders. METHODS: 183 patients diagnosed with NF1, attended at the Neurofibromatosis Outpatient Reference Center, were evaluated for clinical manifestations and complications of NF1. Severity and visibility were verified using the Riccardi and Ablon scales respectively. Voice abnormalities and oral motor disorders were quantified using the Vox-Metria software and maximal voluntary muscle strength (MVMS) was quantified using a handgrip dynamometer. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations of NF1 observed were comparable to those described in literature. However, more then 50 percent of patients presented severity and visibility classified as moderate and severe. The incidence of macrocephaly and short stature was higher among the Brazilian patients. Voice abnormalities and oral motor disorders were quantified for the first time, with hoarseness and oral motor disorders observed in more then 60 percent the patients. Maximal voluntary muscle strength was found to be reduced in 67 percent of patients. CONCLUSION: The main clinical features of these patients are similar to those reported in previous studies. More then one-half of the patients presented moderate and severe levels of NF1 (severity and visibility), including short stature, macrocephaly, voice abnormalities and oral motor disorders and decreased muscle strength. These results are in disagreement with the traditional concept that NF1 is a benign disease and also disclosed some clinical aspects not previously reported.

Motor developmental delay in 7500 Iranian infants: prevalence and risk factors

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and the most common risk factors of motor developmental delay in infants. Following ethical approval, a study was carried out on the prevalence and risk factors of infants with motor developmental delay. The first stage was conducted through a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of motor developmental delay on 7500 infants and the second stage was an analytic case - control survey to identify the most common risk factors on 140 infants, aged one month to three years with motor developmental delay. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status questionnaire, the Denver Developmental Screening Test II, a neurological assessment form, and the movement and tone assessment form. The prevalence of motor developmental delay in 7500 infants was 18.7/1000. The most common risk factors in infants with motor developmental delay were prematurity [25.6%], low birth weight [19.2%], neonatal seizures [7.5%], hyaline membrane disease [6.7%], systemic infections of mothers during pregnancy [5.9%], severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia [5%] in sequence. Motor developmental delay was significantly correlated with consanguinity of parents [p=0.001], prematurity [p=0.046], abnormal head circumference at birth [p=0.038], and low birth weight [p=0.026]. The prevalence of motor developmental delay appears to be high and further studies should focus on different preventive strategies, controlling the most common risk factors and emphasizing on early detection and treatment of high risk infants

Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease and movement disorders in India: problems and possibilities.

Improving economy and health in developing countries like India, has increased the life span and changed the emphasis from communicable to noncommunicable diseases. This is likely to increase the prevalence of movement disorders and, age-related diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD). We review Indian epidemiological studies to describe: a) Prevalence of movement disorders, b) methodological issues and c) potential of epidemiological research in a country with multiple ethnic races and environmental risks for PD. Most Indian epidemiological studies do not specifically assess PD and figures are from studies evaluating all neurological diseases. Well-designed Indian studies on PD and essential tremors estimate prevalence rates in Parsis who are ethnically different from Indians. We compare Indian prevalence studies with other parts of the world to examine the role of ethnicity in PD. Lack of accurate epidemiological data on PD and movement disorders creates an urgent need for properly designed and conducted epidemiological studies in India. This will help find out their load, identify areas of focus, create public health policies for elderly Indians and, possibly, provide etiological clues to the pathogenesis of PD.

Contaminación por monóxido de carbono: un problema de salud ambiental / Carbon monoxide contamination: an environmental health problem

El monóxido de carbono es considerado uno de los mayores contaminantes de la atmósfera terrestre. Sus principales fuentes productoras responsables de aproximadamente 80 por ciento de las emisiones, son los vehículos automotores que utilizan como combustible gasolina o diesel y los procesos industriales que utilizan compuestos del carbono. Esta sustancia es bien conocida por su toxicidad para el ser humano. Sus efectos tóxicos agudos incluida la muerte han sido estudiados ampliamente; sin embargo, sus potenciales efectos adversos a largo plazo son poco conocidos. En los últimos años, los estudios de investigación experimentales en animales y epidemiológicos en humanos han evidenciado relación entre población expuesta en forma crónica a niveles medios y bajos de monóxido de carbono en aire respirable y la aparición de efectos adversos en la salud humana especialmente en órganos de alto consumo de oxígeno como cerebro y corazón. Se han documentado efectos nocivos cardiovasculares y neuropsicológicos en presencia de concentraciones de monóxido de carbono en aire inferiores a 25 partes por millón y a niveles de carboxihemoglobina en sangre inferiores a 10 por ciento. Las alteraciones cardiovasculares que se han descrito son hipertensión arterial, aparición de arritmias y signos electrocardiográficos de isquemia. Déficit en memoria, atención, concentración y alteraciones del movimiento tipo parkinsonismo, son los cambios neuropsicológicos con mayor frecuencia asociados a exposición crónica a bajos niveles de monóxido de carbono y carboxihemoglobina.

Carbon monoxide is considered to be a major factor contaminating earths atmosphere. The main sources producing this contamination are cars using gasoline or diesel fuel and industrial processes using carbon compounds; these two are responsible for 80 percent of carbon monoxide being emitted to the atmosphere. This substance has a well-known toxic effect on human beings and its acute poisonous effects (including death) have been widely studied; however, its long-term chronic effects are still not known. During the last few years, experimental research on animals and studies of human epidemiology have established the relationship between chronic exposure to low and middle levels of carbon monoxide in breathable air and adverse effects on human health, especially on organs consuming large amounts of oxygen such as the heart and brain. Harmful cardiovascular and neuropsychological effects have been documented in carbon monoxide concentration in air of less than 25 ppm and in carboxyhaemoglobin levels in blood of less than 10 percent. The main cardiac damage described to date has been high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythm and electrocardiograph signs of ischemia. Lack of memory, attention, concentration and Parkinson-type altered movement are the neuropsychological changes most frequently associated with chronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide and carboxyhaemoglobin.

Parkinsonism and other movement disorders in outpatients in chronic use of cinnarizine and flunarizine

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os padrões de distúrbios do movimento (DM) em pacientes ambulatoriais sob uso crônico de cinarizina (cz) ou flunarizina (fz), além de estabelecer os principais fatores de risco para o seu aparecimento. Durante três meses foram coletados dados de pacientes ambulatoriais em uso de cz ou fz. Todos esses pacientes foram submetidos a protocolo pré-estabelecido que incluía critérios diagnósticos do DSM-IV para distúrbios do movimento induzido por drogas e critérios para diagnostico de depressão maior. Parkinsonismo (PK) puro foi diagnosticado em 34% dos pacientes, PK com acatisia, PK com acatisia e síndrome mastigatória bucolingual (SMBL), SMBL isoladamente e distonia, foram encontrados em 4% dos pacientes. Os pacientes com SMBL apresentavam a média de idade mais avançada, o maior tempo médio de uso das drogas, configurando-se o grupo de maior risco ao aparecimento dos DM. O grupo dos pacientes com DM apresentou maior incidência de depressão quando comparados com os não afetados. O estudo demonstra uma relação direta entre o tempo de uso da droga, a idade avançada do paciente e o surgimento dos DM. Os resultados também sugerem que estas drogas aumentam a incidência de depressão.

Desórdenes osteomusculares en una fábrica manufacturera del sector petroquímico. Bogotá, 2003 / Osteomuscular disorders in a manufacturing petrochemical factory. Bogotá, 2003

Este estudio caracteriza los desordenes osteomusculares de 300 trabajadores que desempeñan labores operativas en una fábrica dedicada a la manufactura de productos del sector petroquímico. Metodología: Se realiza un estudio de corte transversal que revisa las historias clínicas por medio de una lista de chequeo. Se aplicó: (a) una encuesta para determinar las condiciones individuales y laborales de esta población con relación a los desórdenes osteomusculares y (b) un instrumento para la calificación categórica del riesgo por carga física. Resultados: Se identificaron 92 trabajadores con desórdenes osteomusculares. Se encontró que la prevalencia de punto de desórdenes osteomusculares en esta empresa fue de 30,7 por ciento y que el área con mayor participación es la de Proceso, con un 38,3 por ciento. Conclusiones: Es interesante el hecho de que se presentan mayores alternativas en trabajadores del área de proceso, aun cuando el área con mayor cantidad de trabajadores con desórdenes osteomusculares es la de Ensamble.

Falls in elderly.

Falls are common in elderly. They cause morbidily, mortality and financial hardship. They can be prevented with minimum cost. All steps should be taken. Remove the cause or causes as far as it is possible in the environment.

Impairment and disability in leprosy: in search of the missing link.

This paper describes the results of a survey aimed at studying the relationship between impairment and disability in leprosy. Persons affected by leprosy attending the Green Pastures Hospital, Pokhara, or one of the field clinics in the Western Region of Nepal visited during the study period were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Two hundred and sixty-nine subjects were included in the study. For the analysis, 'disability', was defined as activities being done with 'much difficulty', 'only with help' or being 'impossible'. The most commonly affected indoor activities were cutting nails (22%), washing clothes (16%), using scissors (17%) and tying a knot (18%). Among the outdoor activities, cutting grass, digging, harvesting, threshing and milking a cow or buffalo were the most commonly affected (22%-26%). Sensory impairment of the thumb and/or index finger at the 2 g level was a very significant risk factor for disability activities involving the hand(s). Muscle weakness of the thumb and mobile clawing of the fingers had a strong association with disability in several activities. Sensory impairment of the sole was the strongest determinant of disability in activities involving the lower limb. We recommend that efforts should be made to include disability as a standard activity for monitoring and evaluation of rehabilitation, both for individuals and on programme level.

Iodine deficiency disorders in school children of Sikkim.

Sikkim is a small state in the eastern Himalayas. A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in the state. A two stage sampling procedure was adopted. In stage one, all villages in the state were listed and 249 were randomly selected for the survey. In stage two, households, were randomly selected from the selected villages using the electoral lists. The basic sampling unit was a household and all members of the households were studied. A total of 17,837 subjects were studied from 3,197 households of 249 villages. Overall prevalence of goitre and cretinism in the community as a whole, were 54.03% and 3.46% respectively. Of the population studied, 5939 were children in the age group of 5 to 16 years. There were 3,005 boys and 2,934 girls. Goitre was detected in 3,381 (56.9%). Goitre prevalence in the boys was 55.4% and in girls it was 58.5% (p = < 0.05). Grade I goitre was seen in 2,472 (73.1%), grade II in 888 (26.3%) and grade III in 21 (0.6%). Endemic cretinism was diagnosed in 175 subjects (2.9%). Cretinism prevalence in the boys was 3.1%, and in girls in was 2.8% and this difference was not significant. Neurological; cretinism was the predominant form (98.3%). Estimation of urinary iodine concentration in 167 subjects revealed the mean concentration to be 3.64 u/dl (SD 2.47). The median value was ug/dl indicating the skewed distribution of the urinary iodine concentration. The study shows the existence of severe iodine deficiency in the school-aged children of Sikkim.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Movimientos anormales hemicorporales como consecuencia de lesiones cerebrales únicas contralaterales / Abnormal involuntary movements due to contralateral focal brain lesions

Los movimientos involuntarios anormales (MIA) debidos a lesiones cerebrales focales contralaterales son la expresión fenomenológica de la interrupción a diferentes niveles de las conexiones existentes entre distintos núcleos que conforman los Ganglios Basales y la Corteza Cerebral. Presentamos una serie de veinticinco (25) pacientes examinados por nosotros junto a otros cuarenta y ocho (48) casos extraídos de la literatura que presentaron MIA hemicorporales provocados por lesiones cerebrales únicas contralaterales demostradas por Tomografía Computada (TC). Del análisis de esta casuística surge como conclusión que un mismo tipo de movimiento o postura anormal puede resultar de lesiones en distintos niveles de los Ganglios Basales. Asimismo, una misma lesión puede dar lugar a diferentes movimientos anormales. Sin embargo, el hecho de que ciertas localizaciones provocan con mayor frecuencia un determinado tipo de disturbio motor puede ayudar a comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos subyacentes a los movimientos anormales por lesión de los Ganglios Basales