Neurological development and iron supplementation in healthy late-preterm neonates: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Late-preterm infants (LPT) are at increased risk for long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae and iron deficiency. The aim of the study is to assess the positive effect of iron supplementation on psychomotor development in healthy LPT. We designed a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial dividing the newborns into two groups. Every patient was assessed using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales (GMDS)-II edition at 12-month post-conceptional age. The study was performed at the Neonatology Unit of our Hospital, in Italy. Sixty-six healthy LPT infants born between 340/7 and 366/7 weeks of gestational age were enrolled in the study. One group received martial prophylaxis from the third week of life to 6 months of post-conceptional age (2 mg/kg/day of iron pidolate), the other received placebo. Fifty-two of the enrolled infants were assessed using the GMDS at 12-month of post-conceptional age. Statistical analysis of the mean scores of the Griffiths subscales was performed. There was a difference in the mean developmental quotient (DQ) (p < 0.01) between the two groups: iron group mean DQ 121.45 ± 10.53 vs placebo group mean DQ 113.25 ± 9.70. Moreover, mean scores of the Griffiths subscales A, B, and D showed significant differences between the two groups (scale A p < 0.05, scale B p < 0.02, scale D p < 0.01, respectively).Conclusions: We recommend that all LPT neonates receive iron supplementation during the first 6 months of life in order to improve their 1-year neurodevelopmental quotient. What is Known: • Late-preterm infants (LPT) are at increased risk for long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae and also for iron deficiency. • Iron deficiency is an independent risk factor for adverse neurological outcomes. What is New: • Healthy late-preterm who received iron supplementation during the first 6 months of life achieved better neurological outcomes at 12-month post-conceptional age than LPT who received placebo. • Our study strongly supports the need for the implementation of martial prophylaxis in LPT neonates.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy and epilepsy.

Cognitive and behavioral difficulties occur in approximately a third of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of epilepsy in a cohort of 222 DMD patients. Epileptic seizures were found in 14 of the 222 DMD patients (6.3%). The age of onset ranged from 3 months to 16 years (mean 7.8). Seizures were more often focal epilepsy (n=6), generalized tonic-clonic seizures (n=4) or absences (n=4). They were present in 12 of the 149 boys with normal IQ (8.1%) and in two of the 73 with mental retardation (2.7%). In two cases the parents did not report any past or present history of seizures but only 'staring episodes' interpreted as a sign of 'poor attention'. In both patients EEG showed the typical pattern observed in childhood absence epilepsy. Our results suggest that the prevalence of epilepsy in our study (6.3%) is higher than in the general pediatric population (0.5-1%). The risk of epilepsy does not appear to increase in patients with mental retardation.

Relative roles of cognitive ability and practical intelligence in the prediction of success.

Initial investigations into the construct of practical intelligence have identified a new general factor of practical intelligence (gp), which is believed to be independent of general cognitive ability. This construct, gp, is also believed to be a better predictor of success than cognitive ability, personality, or any combination of variables independent of gp. The existence of this construct and its independence from Spearman's g is, however, under debate. The purpose of the present study is to investigate both the relationship between gp and g and the relative roles of practical intelligence and cognitive ability in the prediction of success. The participants included 197 college students. Each completed both the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery and Sternberg and Wagner's measure of practical intelligence in academic psychology. The results of structural equation modeling support Sternberg and Wagner's assertion that practical intelligence and general cognitive ability are relatively independent constructs. Results of regression analysis, however, do not support their contention that practical intelligence is related to success after controlling for general cognitive ability. Implications of these results for research and theory on practical intelligence are discussed.

Trainees' conjugal family experience, current intergenerational family relationships, and the therapeutic alliance.

This study examines the relationship between trainees' conjugal family experience, current intergenerational family relationships, and the client's perception of the therapeutic alliance. Participants were 74 first practicum family therapy trainees, representing two family therapy programs, and 90 clients. Results indicated a moderately significant relationship between conjugal family experience and trainees' reported intergenerational intimacy with parents. Additionally, clients whose therapists had conjugal family experience reported a slightly more favorable therapeutic alliance than clients whose therapists did not have conjugal family experience. Additionally, trainees with conjugal family experience reported more current intimacy and individuation than nonconjugal trainees and felt less intimidated by their parents.