ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Over the past several decades, improvements in technology in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have led to improved survival of preterm infants. Some studies have found that premature infants are at higher risk of behavioral problems, motor and sensory abnormalities, developmental delay, and poorer academic performance, while other studies have found no significant difference. METHODS: A literature search was conducted through PubMed for articles published between January 2018 and September 2019. Studies that concentrated on preterm infants with relatively uncomplicated NICU courses and without extensive medical interventions were selected. RESULTS: Historically, preterm infants have been found to be at increased risk for the inattentive subtype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), avoidant personality, and anti-social personality, when compared to full term infants. However, some studies found that this difference between the two groups decrease as they enter adolescence and adulthood. Preterm infants are at increased risk for language, cognitive, sensory and motor deficits. Greater gestational age (GA) at birth and higher birth weight is associated with a lower risk of developmental delay. Cohort studies focusing on motor development showed that the degree of impairment decreased over time. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a negative correlation on multiple domains of development. The overall outcome of these infants may be influenced by socioeconomic status (SES), neonatal morbidities, demographics and parental education. Hearing and vision deficits are relatively infrequent among premature infants. A significant risk factor for hearing impairment involves the use of ototoxic agents such as gentamicin and infants with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants are at higher risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes when compared to their full-term counter parts. However, in recent years it appears that rates of certain neurologic and developmental conditions are occurring in rates lower than historically noted. Premature individuals with possible developmental or mental health concerns should be identified early on so that interventions can be implemented immediately. Those meeting developmental milestone should continue to be monitored closely as deficits may develop later.
ABSTRACT
Developmental diagnosis is based on an understanding of basic concepts of typical and atypical developmental progression. Child development is influenced by multiple factors, including the development of the nervous system and other organ systems, and the child's physical and social environment. Different factors interplay with each other in influencing the overall development of the child. Development and behavior of the child are intricately associated. Typical child development follows certain basic principles. Some of the more commonly reported developmental concerns include global developmental delay, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, delayed speech and language, attention deficits, autism, and specific learning disabilities. The clinical presentation of atypical development varies, depending up on the age of the child; with motor delay in early infancy, and learning difficulties in school age child. Regular surveillance and periodic screening help identify specific areas of developmental and behavioral concerns and suggest a need for further appropriate psychological, medical and laboratory evaluation. The principles of management of a child with developmental concerns include early intervention and response to treatment approach, remediation, accommodation, and specific behavioral and pharmacological interventions when indicated.
ABSTRACT
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder in children and adolescents. ADHD affects multiple aspects of an individual's life and functioning in family, social, and academic realms. Effective management of ADHD is necessary for children and adolescents and may include non-pharmacologic treatments, pharmacologic therapy including use of stimulant and non-stimulant medications, or a combination of the different treatment modalities. In general, medications used to treat ADHD are safe and effective. Medical practitioners can follow a step-wise approach in the selection and adjustment of pharmacologic agents to treat ADHD, while working closely with families, caregivers, and other medical and educational professionals to form appropriate treatment plans. This article reviews practical aspects of pharmacological treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents.
ABSTRACT
Little is known about the potential for tattoos to bias how defendants are perceived. In Study 1, the participants (n = 30) viewed photographs of five men with a tattoo (prison or modern style) on the face and neck or arm. Individuals with prison-style tattoos were perceived more negatively, especially when the tattoos were located on the face and neck compared to the arm. In Study 2, participants (n = 120) were shown a photograph of a defendant who either had a prison-style tattoo or no tattoo, and read a scenario describing a physical assault (with either strong or weak evidence). Perceptions of defendant dangerousness mediated the relationship between the presence of a tattoo and mock jurors' perceptions of guilt.
ABSTRACT
The number of adolescent girls participating in sports has dramatically increased throughout the last few decades. In the early 1990's, an association between amenorrhea, osteoporosis, and disordered eating was recognized and eventually labeled the 'Female Athlete Triad'. In 1997, the Task Force on Women's Issues of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) published a position statement on this triad of conditions that were becoming increasingly more prevalent amongst female athletes. Initially, the 'Female Athlete Triad' was characterized by disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. However, as the number of adolescent female athletes has continued to grow, there has been further research and investigation into this field and the triad has evolved in definition. It is essential for all health care practitioners and other professionals who care for adolescent athletes to be attentive to the clinical signs, detection, evaluation, and management of the female athlete triad, as the sequelae can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of a young person both in the short and long-term.
ABSTRACT
Puberty is defined by physical growth, development of secondary sexual characteristics, and maturation of psychosocial skills. The initiation and rate of progression of pubertal events varies among adolescents, but pubertal changes occur in a predictable stepwise manner. Factors including individual differences in physical and psychosocial development, stage of development based on age (early, middle, and late), and the rate of pubertal development, may all contribute to the way in which adolescents experience sports activities. During adolescence, gender differences also become more apparent and may significantly impact sports participation. As practitioners evaluate overall development and adolescent readiness for sports participation, they should consider the different areas of development including: somatic, neurologic, cognitive, psychosocial-function in an integrated and interdependent approach.
ABSTRACT
Developmental disabilities (DD) are defined as a diverse group of severe chronic conditions due to mental and/or physical impairments. Individuals with developmental disabilities have difficulty with major life activities including language, mobility, and learning. Developmental disabilities can begin anytime during development--from prenatal up to 22 years of age, and the disability usually lasts throughout a person's lifetime. Autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are common conditions falling within the definition of developmental disabilities. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming increasingly utilized in the general population for treatment of everything from the common cold to complex and chronic medical conditions. This article reviews the prevalence of different types of CAM used for various developmental disabilities.
