Epidemiological study of children with development coorrdination disorders [DCD]

The objectives of the study is to determine the epidemiology of dyspraxia among preschool children in Alexandria. A case control study was designed. The sample of the study was 33 children [26 male and 7 female] with dyspraxia and 33 normal children as a control. Both groups were subjected to the followings a] screening phase, b] developmental assessment and, c] clinical assessment. Males are significantly affected more than females [p = 0.037]. Prematurity [p= 0.012], allergic disease [p = 0.004], and positive family history [p = 0.000] are significant factors for dyspraxia. Dyspraxic children have significantly behavior problems [p=0.008], speech disturbance [p=0.000], and lack of imaginative play [p = 000], Conclusion dyspraxia is more common in males than females. Behaviour problems, speech disturbance and lack of imaginative play are more common in dysproaxic

Study of measles iGg antibody levels and some immunological abnormalities in autistic children

Autism is generally considered to be a multi-factorial disorder. Causally speaking, immune, neuro-chemical, environmental such as viral infections mainly measles and genetic susceptibility factors have been implicated. Currently, the etiology of autism is still unknown, and although there are treatments for some of the behavioral abnormalities, there is no cure. Autoimmunity has a strong prospect for finding a cause and treatment of autism today. The aim of the present work was to study measles antibodies and some immunological parameters in autistic children in a trial to pave the way to new optimistic interventions both diagnostic and therapeutic. Thirty-nine children were included in this study allocated into 2 groups. Group I [autistic children] consisted of 19 children [17 males and 2 females], aged 2-7.75 years, diagnosed as autistic by CARS. Group II [control children] consisted of 20 healthy children [17 males and 3 females] aged 2-8 years. All children were subjected to detailed history and thorough clinical examination [to confirm diagnosis and exclude other neurodevelopmental illnesses]. Total serum protein, serum albumin, serum protein electrophoresis immunoglobulins and ANA were measured for all children. CD[4] and CD[8] subsets of T-lymphocytes were phenotyped by whole blood flow-cytometry to get CD[4]/CD[8] ratios. Measles IgG antibody levels were measured for all children by indirect enzyme-immunoassay. Autistic criteria were detected late [in the second year of age] among all our autistic children. Some autistic children [4 children] showed autistic regression after MMR vaccination. Family history of autism and other autoimmune diseases was found in a small number of our autistic families [2 and 4 respectively]. Autistic children had significantly higher TSP, serum albumin, gamma globulin, and IgG levels than control children, while their alpha1, alpha2 and beta globulins, IgA and IgM were not significantly different. About one third [36.84%] of our autistic children were positive for ANA with the mean of ANA titers significantly higher in the autistic children compared to controls. CD4+ lymphocytes were significantly reduced, while CD8+ lymphocytes were normal or slightly decreased, resulting in a significantly lowered CD4/CD8 ratio among our autistic children compared to normal controls. The mean serum levels of measles IgG antibodies were significantly higher among autistic children as compared to non autistic control children

Conclusion: the hyperimmune response to measles virus and the immunological abnormalities may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. Depending on the nature of the immune abnormality, the goal of therapy should be to normalize or reconstitute the immune response instead of inducing immune suppression or stimulation. It is recommended to start immediately a wide, well controlled research project to explore the importance of autoimmunity and other immunological abnormalities in early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of autism

Occupational risks for preschool teachers in Alexandria

We studied the occupational hazards facing the preschool teachers in Alexandria. The study included 106 preschool teachers working in kindergarten in Alexandria. They were all in the childbearing age. Their ages ranged from 20-30 years. The occupational health risks were studied by questionnaire including data about communicable diseases, occupational stress and ergonomic hazards leading to musculoskeletal problems. There was a significant increase of respiratory illness in unhealthy places [X[2]=24.22, p<0.05], a significant increase of bone ache among preschool teachers in the presence of several jobs [X[2]=27.09, p<0.05]. The study also revealed a significant increase of bone ache in teachers having psychological stress [X[2]=35.34, p<0.05] and teachers having job stress [X[2]=28.36, p<0.05]. There was a significant association between type of education and both headache [X[2]=20.48, p<0.05] and psychological stress [X[2]=11.90, p<0.05]. Proper management of the environment will decrease occupational risks for preschool teachers

Risk factors of psychosocial problems among children working in workshops in Alexandria

This study was conducted to determine whether psychosocial problems occurring among working children are associated with other social or occupational factors. A sample of 34 working children aging from 10-14 years was studied. They were classified into 2 groups according to the occurrence of psychosocial problems as anxiety, eating or sleeping problems, fatigue, nightmares etc. Interview data were examined to identify factors that might be considered as risk factors in psychosocial problems. Ten variables distinguished children with psychosocial problems. These variables were classified by the discriminate analysis technique, by order of importance as effort done, housing conditions, nature of the work, substance intake, educational status, degree of job satisfaction, income, nutrition, age and occupation. These variables correctly classified. 100% of the affected group and misclassified 13.3% of the non affected group. This could alert health professionals to the existence of more pervasive disturbances in the child's labor conditions, as well as the child's environment

Patterns of developmental delay in preschool children with behavioural disorders in Egypt

The aim of this study was to examine the different patterns of developmental delay in children with behavioural disturbances diagnosed by the Behar Behavioural questionnaires [PBQ] testing. The children were assessed by the developmental screening test of Denever [DDST]. The study demonstrated that questionable delay by DDST was the commonest finding in children with behavioural disturbances [78.57%] followed by abnormal tests [45.45%]. Behavioural disturbances were significantly higher among children who had delay in personal, social, language and gross motor fields. Although they were also higher in the fine motor field yet the difference was not statistically significant. Behavioural disturbances were also significantly higher among children with abnormal speech and articulation. Our findings emphasize the importance of regular developmental screening for all children in the preschool age for the early detection of questionable lag that could be associated with or lead to a behavioural disorder

Prevalence of behavioural disorders in preschool children in Alexandria

This study included 362 preschool children from nurseries of different social classes in Alexandria. Data were collected by a preschool behaviour questionnaire of Behar, a social questionnaire to collect data about social, family and biologic environmental factors influencing child development, also clinical, neurological, anthropometric examination, as well as the emotional state of the child. Behavioural disturbances were detected in 22.53% of preschool children, particularly boys. There was a tendency of behavioural disturbances to be higher among children whose mothers did not receive regular antenatal care, had hyperemesis, bleeding or were delivered by ventouse. The children tended to be younger than 4 years, underweight, artificially fed during infancy. Many of them had a dysdiadochokinesia, dysgraphis, were significantly common in those children. Socially, such children, were first born children, with short interbirth period, and had emotional disturbances. Family features related to such disorders showed a tendency for their mothers to be very young or old, professional illiterate or highly educated. Finally behavioural disorders were significantly higher in large sized families, living in shared overcrowded houses and low percapital income per month

Prevalence of behavioural disorders in preschool children in Alexandria

This study included 362 preschool children from nurseries of different social classes in Alexandria. Data were collected by a preschool behaviour questionnaire of Behar, a social questionnaire to collect data about social, family and biologic environmental factors influencing child development, also clinical, neurological, anthropometric examination, as well as the emotional state of the child. Behavioural disturbances were detected in 22.53% of preschool children, particularly boys. There was a tendency of behavioural disturbances to be higher among children whose mothers did not receive regular antenatal care, had hyperemesis, bleeding or were delivered by ventouse. The children tended to be younger than 4 years, underweight, artificially fed during infancy. Many of them had a history of seizures. The presence of positive soft signs as dysdiado-chokinesia, dysgraphia, were significantly common in those children. Socially, such children were first born children, with short interbirth period, and had emotional disturbances. Family features related to such disorders showed a tendency for their mothers to be very young or old, professional illiterate or highly educated. Finally behavioural disorders were significantly higher in large sized families, living in shared overcrowded houses and low percapital income per month

Patterns of developmental delay in preschool children with behavioural disorders in Egypt

The aim of this study was to examine the different patterns of developmental delay in children with behavioural disturbances. The study was conducted on 69 preschool children of whom 29 had behavioural disturbances diagnosed by the Behar Behavioural questionnaires [PBQ] testing. The children were assessed by the developmental screening test of Denever [DDST]. The study demonstrated that questionable delay by DDST was the commonest finding in children with behavioural disturbances [78.57%] followed by abnormal tests [45.45%]. Behavioural disturbances were significantly higher among children who had delay in personal, social, language and gross motor fields. Although they were also higher in the fine motor field yet the difference was not statistically significant. Behavioural disturbances were also significantly higher among children with abnormal speech and articulation. Our findings emphasize the importance of regular developmental screening for all children in the preschool age for the early detection of a questionable lag that could be associated with or lead to a behavioural disorder