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Biomedical subjects

O Van Nieuwenhuizen

Publications and source records attributed to O Van Nieuwenhuizen.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Longitudinal follow-up of grating acuity in children affected by cerebral palsy: results of a 5 year study.

PURPOSE: To analyse the natural course of visual acuity in subjects affected by cerebral palsy. METHODS: During the past 5 years, 16 children underwent repeated grating acuity measurements using the acuity card procedure. At the end of the follow-up final grating acuity was compared with linear acuity obtained using standard optotypes. RESULTS: A good or moderate improvement in grating acuity was shown by 14 subjects. However, the general development of grating acuity showed a protracted course and early values did not correlate with final grating acuity (r = 0.20). Moreover, most of the children showed subnormal vision when measured with standard optotypes. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should remain optimistic about the potential for some visual development in children affected by cerebral palsy. However, great caution should be exercised in extrapolating information from early grating acuity measurements. Regular assessments with the acuity card procedure are necessary in order to gain an insight into the natural course of visual development in children affected by cerebral palsy.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Visual, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental outcome at 51/2 years in children with perinatal haemorrhagic-ischaemic brain lesions.

To determine predictive values of early visual and neurocognitive assessment in children with perinatally acquired haemorrhagic or ischaemic brain lesions selected on the basis of ultrasound, 63 children (37 boys, 26 girls), who had been followed and examined until the age of 18 months, were reexamined at 5 1/2 years. Good correlations between visual and neurodevelopmental assessments at 18 months and at 5 1/2 years were found. When ultrasound abnormalities were combined with early visual and neurocognitive assessment data, good predictive values, especially for the group of children who had grade 2 to 4 leukomalacia, were found for visual acuity and neurodevelopment.

Brain↗
PubMed1998

Visual behaviours of neurologically impaired children with cerebral visual impairment: an ethological study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Visual functions of neurologically impaired children with permanent cerebral visual impairment (CVI) can be difficult to determine. This study investigated the behavioural profile of CVI children by means of ethological observations in order to gain a better understanding of their visual functions. METHODS: Video registrations of nine subjects who were unable to undergo more orthodox methods of visual function testing were observed and analysed by an ethologist. RESULTS: A series of behaviours (direct signs) and supportive or confirming behavioural elements (indirect signs) indicating some visual perception in the children were found. CONCLUSION: Detailed ethological observations of visual behaviour were shown to be useful for analysing visual functions of children with permanent CVI.

Blinking↗
PubMed1997

Dipole source analysis may differentiate benign focal epilepsy of childhood with occipital paroxysms from symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy.

The aim of the study was to distinguish Benign Focal Epilepsy of Childhood with Occipital Paroxysms (BEOP) from its symptomatic counterpart on the basis of the location of the sources of the interictal EEG spikes. Patients were classified into two groups: idiopathic BEOP and symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy. Source analysis of the averaged occipital spikes was performed using a homogeneously conducting sphere as the volume conductor model. Results showed a statistically significant difference in the eccentricity, i.e., the distance of the occipital spike focus from the centre of the head. The dipole sources of the occipital spikes in the BEOP group were found to be located more superficially than in the symptomatic group, corresponding in six of the nine cases with a source position estimated to be within the cortical layer just below the skull. The eccentricity of the symptomatic occipital spikes suggests a location deeper than the cortical layer. The results were validated in two patients from the symptomatic group. In one patient the estimated deeper dipole source location corresponded with a deeper location of spike activity observed during ECoG; in the other patient's ECoG, spike activity was observed superficially but over an extended area. The discrepancy between estimated and real location may be explained by the method of dipole source analysis used. It is concluded that the finding of a superficial dipole source location of the occipital spikes provides an indication for the diagnosis BEOP (sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 74%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Seizure semiology of occipital lobe epilepsy in children.

PURPOSE: Occipital lobe epilepsy in children occurs as an idiopathic form, i.e., Benign Epilepsy with Occipital Paroxysms (BEOP), and a symptomatic form. This study attempted to determine whether seizure semiology could distinguish between the two forms. METHODS: Fifty children (34 boys, 16 girls) with clinical seizures and interictal EEGs presenting occipital spikes were included consecutively in the study. Seizure onset was between the ages of 2 months and 15 years. Epilepsy was considered symptomatic when psychomotor retardation and/or abnormalities at neurological and/or neuroradiological examination were found: 17 children were classified as idiopathic, and the remaining 33 children were classified as symptomatic. Seizure semiology was assessed by means of a structured interview of the children and their parents, using a detailed questionnaire. Seizure semiology was determined to comprise motor (versive or other movements of the eyes, versive movements of the head, (hemiconvulsions), visual, other signs (e.g. vomiting and headache), and impairment of consciousness. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in seizure semiology between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Seizure semiology cannot distinguish between different forms of occipital lobe epilepsy: Further clinical examination, clinical neurophysiological investigations, and neuroimaging studies are needed for a correct classification.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Interstitial deletion 11q. Case report and review of the literature.

A mildly retarded male with a unique interstitial deletion 11 (pter-->q22.3::q23.2-->qter) is described. To the best of our knowledge this patient is the first case with this specific type of deletion. The clinical features and cytogenetic findings of this patient are compared with those of previously reported cases with interstitial deletions 11q and patients with terminal deletions involving band 11q24.1 (leading to the so-called Jacobsen syndrome).

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1984

CT-scanning in children with cerebral visual disturbance and its possible relation to hypoxia and ischaemia.

The examination of computertomography (CT) scans of 20 patients suffering from 'cerebral visual disturbance' (CVD) as part of infantile encephalopathy, revealed conspicuous abnormalities, which could be divided into two main groups: (1) lesions of the optic radiations; and (2) lesions of the calcarine cortex. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these abnormalities suggest an important role of hypoxia and/or ischaemia in the etiology of CVD.

Atrophy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of MRI scanning in the diagnosis of cerebral visual disturbance.

Visual dysfunction as part of cerebral palsy may be due to lesions of the retrochiasmatic visual pathways. Cranial computed tomography can reveal conspicuous and characteristic abnormalities in most patients presenting with the condition; however, in some patients the abnormalities may appear so subtle on computed tomography that they can be easily overlooked or their true significance questioned. Magnetic resonance imaging has proved to be of great value in demonstrating the neuroanatomic anomalies underlying the visual handicap of this latter group of patients, allowing for early diagnosis and precise management.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of cerebral visual impairment on the everyday life of cerebral palsied children.

A group of 43 patients suffering from cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment was compared with a group of 24 cerebral palsy patients with normal visual acuity, with regard to a functional level in daily life. Four categories were considered: communication, emotional contact, self-care and intelligence. Cerebral visual impairment-cerebral palsy patients scored significantly lower in all categories than cerebral palsy patients with normal visual acuity. In the cerebral visual impairment-cerebral palsy group, there was a higher frequency of tetraplegia compared with the group with normal acuity, but even after this predominance had been excluded, a significant difference remained. When dealing with cerebral palsy patients, occurrence of cerebral visual impairment must be taken into account. By initiating intervention programmes, one can prevent extra handicaps due to the consequences of diminished visual acuity.

Activities of Daily Living↗