ABSTRACT
Historical documents dating back almost 4500years have alluded to the condition of epilepsy, describing signs and symptoms that are well-known today. Epilepsy was thought to be a mystical disorder by almost all Ancient cultures, including the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, Iranians and Chinese. Hippocrates was the first to de-mystify the condition of epilepsy, providing a more scientific approach to the condition. As the signs and symptoms of epilepsy occurred without an obvious cause, the idea stood that it was a mystical phenomenon of divine punishment. This portrayal persisted through the early centuries of the common era, including the Middle Ages. It was not until the 16th and 17th century that Paracelsus, le Pois and Sylvius started to investigate internal causes for epilepsy. By the beginning of the 18th century, the general opinion on epilepsy was that it was an idiopathic disease residing in the brain and other inner organs. This resulted in Tissot writing the first modern book on epilepsy. Research continued in the 19th century with Jackson describing different types of seizures and many researchers showing interest in electroencephalography (EEG). The 20th century saw more detailed research being done on epilepsy and EEG, in addition to the establishment of many epilepsy-associated medical societies. The goal of this historical documentation is to provide an overview of the most important milestones in the history of epilepsy.
Subject(s)
Bibliography of Medicine , Epilepsy/history , History, 15th Century , History, 16th Century , History, 17th Century , History, 18th Century , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , History, Ancient , HumansABSTRACT
One of the oldest and probably well-known examples of cerebral palsy is the mummy of the Pharaoh Siptah about 1196-1190 B.C., and a letter from Hippocrates (460-390 B.C.). Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common congenital or acquired neurological impairments in paediatric patients, and refers to a group of children with motor disability and related functional defects. The visible core of CP is characterized by abnormal coordination of movements and/or muscle tone which manifest very early in the development. Resulting from pre- or perinatal brain damage CP is not a progressive condition per se. However, without systematic medical and physiotherapeutic support the dystonia leads to muscle contractions and to deterioration of the handicap. Here we review the three general spastic manifestations of CP hemiplegia, diplegia and tetraplegia, describe the diagnostic procedures and delineate a time schedule for an early intervention.
Subject(s)
Immunocompromised Host , Neuroaspergillosis/immunology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Male , Neuroaspergillosis/physiopathologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Many factors have been studied as potential predictors of recurrent febrile seizures (FS), however the available data in literature are inconsistent. The aim of the present paper is to determine which factors are responsible for the first and for multiple recurrences of FS, in a large sample of children with a long-term follow up. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty children were followed after their first FS. The inclusion criteria were: a history of a first febrile seizure; no personal history of afebrile seizures; no previous anticonvulsant medication and age between three months and six years. The median time of follow up was 4.3 years. We had a contact with the families of the children every 4-6 months and also in every recurrence. RESULTS: Very significant prognostic markers for the first FS recurrence were low age at onset, recurrence within the same illness, frequent febrile episodes and maternal preponderance. Powerful prognostic factors that may predispose children who already have one recurrence to a second or more are low age at onset and especially positive family history of FS. Additionally, low temperature prior to the initial seizure is a powerful predictor for three or more recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic factors for FS recurrence are a useful tool for the clinician. It is obvious that as many powerful predictors a child has, the greater will be the risk for FS recurrence.
Subject(s)
Seizures, Febrile/diagnosis , Seizures, Febrile/epidemiology , Age of Onset , Body Temperature/physiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Inheritance Patterns/physiology , Male , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Secondary Prevention , Seizures, Febrile/physiopathology , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Seizures, Febrile/therapy , Child , Diazepam/therapeutic use , Humans , Prognosis , Seizures, Febrile/complicationsABSTRACT
Hurler disease or syndrome is a disorder of mucopolysaccharide metabolism, inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. We describe a case of a 15-month-old female exhibiting with clinical and laboratory characteristics of the syndrome, central nervous system lesions (lissencephaly, excessive ventricular enlargement and Dandy Walker malformation with vermis atrophy, cerebellar cyst) and mongolian spots in the trunk and extremities. The combination of mongolian spots and severe central nervous system lesions in Hurler syndrome is considered a rare clinical occurrence, while the association with lissencephaly has never been reported.
