Evaluation of micronutrient levels in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Many studies evaluating the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have focused on energy requirements and protein intake. The present work aimed to assess nutritional status and micronutrient levels of children with (CP). METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional and observational study was conducted in 10 different cities in Turkey. Data were available for 398 participants. Anthropometric measurements, feeding mode, nutritional status, and micronutrient levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 398 participants (303 patients and 95 healthy controls). Statistical analysis showed that according to the Gomez Classification, weight-for-age (WFA) revealed malnutrition in 92.6% of children with CP, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention percentiles. Measurements of micronutrient levels showed that zinc levels were low in patients, whereas vitamin A levels were low in controls. Phosphorous and manganese levels were significantly lower in malnourished children than in typical children. The results revealed that children consuming enteral nutrition solutions had higher selenium and lower zinc levels than non-consumers. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is not only a protein- or calorie-based problem; micronutrient deficiencies might cause severe health problems. Children with chronic neurological disabilities must be carefully evaluated for these issues. Therefore, nutritional interventions should be adapted to nutrition.

The Spectrum of Underlying Diseases in Children with Torticollis.

AIM: To investigate the underlying conditions in children with torticollis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 2016 and December 2019, 24 patients (10 girls and 14 boys; mean age, 8 years) presenting with twisted neck, neck pain, weakness of extremities, imbalance, and gait disorder were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Five of the patients had cranial pathologies (cerebellar anaplastic ependymoma and medulloblastoma, brain stem glioma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis), and five of the patients had spinal pathologies (idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification, vertebral hemangiomatosis, compression fracture, multiple hereditary exostoses, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis at C4). Six of the patients had ocular pathologies (strabismus, Duane syndrome, and Brown syndrome each in two patients). Four patients had otorhinolaryngological infections (Sandifer syndrome, esophageal atresia, reflux, and spasmus nutans, with one patient each). Detailed clinical physical examination and necessary laboratory investigation were performed for all patients. CONCLUSION: Torticollis is a sign that is not always innocent and may herald an underlying severe disease. Misdiagnosis can lead to wrong and unnecessary surgical procedures and treatments, and sometimes, the results can be damaging due to underlying severe conditions if diagnosed late. In addition, we first report a case of vertebral hemangiomatosis and temporomandibular joint ankylosis that presented with torticollis in the English medical literature.

Shuddering attacks in children: A retrospective analysis of 19 cases from a single-center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Shuddering attacks (SA) are one of the most common childhood paroxysmal nonepileptic events (PNEs). These attacks usually start between the first 4th and 6th months of life with rapid tremors of the head and adduction of the arms and knees. A number of factors including eating, breastfeeding, and playing stimulating games have been shown to trigger the attacks; however, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown. It has been stated that there is no need for further research in patients diagnosed, and spontaneous regression is expected. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the causes, accompanying clinical conditions, possible differential diagnosis of SA, and the role of video-electroencephalogram (V-EEG) recording for accurate diagnosis. METHODS: Nineteen cases with SA have been collected from the database of Erciyes University Pediatric Neurology Clinic, where 52.6% are boys (n = 10) and 47.6% are girls (n = 9). The relationship between the onset and disappearance of SA symptoms and variables including family history, birth history, age, sleep, teething during SA, video-EEG recordings, brain imaging, and accompanying conditions such as epilepsy have been investigated by retrospective analysis. RESULTS: Four cases were found to have gastroesophageal reflux, one had epilepsy, and one had Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking Syndrome. No accompanying conditions could be identified for rest of the cases. It was observed that onset of symptoms in 15 (78.9%) of 19 cases coincided remarkably with the period of teething. CONCLUSION: We speculate that there might be an indirect link between SA and teething and teething may be a triggering or an aggravating factor for SA.