Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “INFANTILISM”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Infantile hemangiopericytoma versus infantile myofibromatosis. Study of a series suggesting a continuous spectrum of infantile myofibroblastic lesions.

The clinicopathologic features of 11 tumors, originally diagnosed as infantile hemangiopericytomas and with a spectrum of morphologic findings, are described. The age of the patients ranged from 6 days to 7 years; seven patients were younger than 1 year (mean, 2.25 years; median, 10 months); six were boys and five were girls. Three neoplasms were situated in skin or subcutis and seven in deep soft tissue; in one case the depth was unstated. Seven lesions arose in the lower limbs, and one each in the lumbar region, clitoris, chest wall, and soft tissue of the zygomatic region. One patient later was found to have two additional dermal tumors, one each on the anterior abdominal wall and the chest wall. Follow-up information in eight patients revealed local recurrence 12 years later in one case only. Histologically, all tumors showed distinctive features of infantile hemangiopericytoma, including immature cytology, multilobulated growth pattern, focal necrosis, and mitotic activity in varying degrees. Vascular invasion was noted in seven cases. Additionally, a second tumor cell component, composed of spindle-shaped myofibroblastic cells forming fascicles and micronodules, was evident at least focally. Both the spindle cells and more primitive round cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin. Both cellular components showed a haphazard zoning arrangement. We discuss the clinicopathologic similarities between infantile hemangiopericytoma and infantile myofibromatosis and point out the differences between infantile and adult hemangiopericytoma. Our study suggests that there exists a broad spectrum of benign infantile myofibroblastic lesions containing an immature-appearing cellular component with a distinctive, hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern. Infantile myofibromatosis and so-called infantile hemangiopericytoma almost certainly represent different stages of maturation of the same (single) entity.

Child↗

Treatment of infantile spasms.

BACKGROUND: Infantile spasms (West's Syndrome) is a syndrome which includes a peculiar type of epileptic seizure, usually hypsarrhythmia and in the majority of patients, psychomotor retardation. It remains poorly understood and despite modern imaging techniques an underlying cause is often not found. Little is known about their pathophysiological basis and treatment remains problematic. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of single drugs used to treat infantile spasms upon long-term psychomotor development, subsequent epilepsy, control of the spasms and side effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: Our search included the Cochrane Epilepsy Group trials register, MEDLINE (1960 to 2001), EMBASE (1981 to 2001), contacting pharmaceutical companies and appeals at international conferences. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the administration of drugs to people with infantile spasms. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion and extracted data. Study quality and potential sources of heterogeneity were assessed. Outcomes included cessation of spasms, time to cessation of spasms, participants with cessation of spasms remaining spasm free, reduction in spasms, resolution of hypsarrhythmia, subsequent epilepsy rates and side effects. MAIN RESULTS: Ten small RCTs were included. In total these studies recruited just 335 participants and tested eight different drugs. Overall, studies were of poor methodological quality. No study assessed long-term psychomotor development or the development of other seizure types. One small study found vigabatrin to be more efficacious than hydrocortisone in stopping infantile spasms in a group of people with tuberous sclerosis. One underpowered study showed a trend for vigabatrin to be more efficacious than placebo in stopping infantile spasms, two small studies when combined showed ACTH to be more efficacious than low-dose prednisone (2mg/kg). It was not possible to compare reduction in the number of spasms between the different treatments because of differences in methods of analysis. Overall, only nine participants were reported to have been withdrawn from the trial treatments due to side effects and two deaths were reported. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: We found no reliable evidence that any of the treatments assessed were more efficacious than any other. Few studies considered psychomotor development or subsequent seizure rates as outcomes and none had long term follow-up. Further trials with larger numbers of participants, and longer follow-up are required.

Anticonvulsants↗

Neuroradiological findings (MRS, MRI, SPECT) in infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (infantile CLN1) at different stages of the disease.

Infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (infantile CLN1) is a progressive and uniformly fatal lysosomal storage disease of the nervous system. The purpose of this study was to compare the findings of various radiological examinations of the brain in the course of infantile CLN1 in order to evaluate the relative usefulness of the methods and their potential for monitoring therapeutic interventions. We examined eight infantile CLN1 patients, 51 studies, in various stages of the disease--preclinical to late stage--with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), MRI, and perfusion SPECT, and in addition three benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor ligand SPECT studies. Both 1H-MRS and MRI showed abnormal findings before clinical manifestations of the disease. Cortical hypoperfusion and loss of cortical BZ receptors revealed by SPECT appeared simultaneously with clinical signs. After the age of 4 years MRI and SPECT alterations progressed minimally, whereas 1H-MRS showed progressive deterioration of neurometabolism. Of the four methods used in this study, MRI proved to be the most practicable for diagnosing infantile CLN1; the final diagnosis of infantile CLN1 is confirmed by the characteristic clinical picture and DNA or PPT enzyme analysis. The combination of 1H- MRS and MRI could be most useful for monitoring therapeutic interventions.

Aspartic Acid↗

Early myoclonic encephalopathy, early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, and benign and severe infantile myoclonic epilepsies: a critical review and personal contributions.

Nosological confusion within the epilepsies with myoclonic manifestations occurring in early life has led several epileptologists to separate more rigorously true myoclonic seizures from pseudomyoclonic ones and to identify clusters of homogeneous parameters that may lead to the formulation of syndromatic groupings. In recent years, four neonatal, infantile, and early myoclonic syndromes have been proposed: early myoclonic encephalopathy (EME), early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE), benign infantile myoclonic epilepsy (BIME), and severe infantile myoclonic epilepsy (SIME). These are reviewed critically, historically, and in the context of personal observations. The author's conclusions are that there is some justification to support, provisionally, a nosological place for the EME syndrome, that a nosologically separate position for the EIEE syndrome appears less firm, and that it seems safer to consider it at this time as an early variant of the West syndrome. From personal observations it appears that BIME and SIME, while justifiably constituting recognizable entities, may best be combined into a single syndrome of "infantile myoclonic epilepsy following febrile convulsions," with variable clinical outcomes.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma: a high-grade sarcoma distinguishable from infantile fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Three patients with a predominantly fibrosarcomatous, desmoplastic, and fascicular spindle-cell sarcoma, resembling that of infantile fibrosarcoma but with ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, are described. The tumors were compared light and electron microscopically and immunocytochemically with six classical cases of infantile fibrosarcoma of the desmoplastic type. The three tumors occurred in two girls and one boy who were between 1 and 3 years of age. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells primarily demonstrated fibroblastic and myofibroblastic features, but there were also tumor cells with sarcomere-like structures. The spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like tumor cells expressed vimentin, desmin, and smooth muscle-specific and sarcomere-specific actins. In one tumor peculiar intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed by light and electron microscopy. The immunocytochemical analysis indicated that these bodies contained all types of thin and intermediate filaments. In short-term cell cultures the tumor cells of two examined tumors revealed immunoreactivity for vimentin, smooth muscle-specific actin, and desmin. Cytogenetically, both tumors displayed a similar chromosomal pattern. One tumor contained two abnormal clones with monosomy 19 and monosomy 22, respectively, and the other tumor revealed a single clone with monosomy 19. In addition, both tumors contained clones with a normal karyotype. Two of the patients with metastatic spread died within 2 years of the primary operation. The third patient is alive with a local recurrence. The three tumors described here deviate from infantile fibrosarcoma in terms of their clinical, ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, and cytogenetic characteristics. The descriptive term "infantile rhabdomyofibrosarcoma" is suggested. The present investigation calls for detailed studies of tumors diagnosed as infantile fibrosarcomas that have metastasized and followed a fatal course.

Child, Preschool↗

Genetic heterogeneity in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL): evidence that the late-infantile subtype (Jansky-Bielschowsky disease; CLN2) is not an allelic form of the juvenile or infantile subtypes.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment in neurons and other cell types. Inheritance is autosomal recessive. Three main childhood subtypes are recognized: infantile (Haltia-Santavuori disease; MIM 256743), late infantile (Jansky-Bielschowsky disease; MIM 204500), and juvenile (Spielmeyer-Sjögren-Vogt, or Batten, disease; MIM 204200). The gene loci for the juvenile (CLN3) and infantile (CLN1) types have been mapped to human chromosomes 16p and 1p, respectively, by linkage analysis. Linkage analysis of 25 families segregating for late-infantile NCL has excluded these regions as the site of this disease locus (CLN2). The three childhood subtypes of NCL therefore arise from mutations at distinct loci.

Alleles↗

Infantile epileptic encephalopathy with hypsarrhythmia (infantile spasms/West syndrome).

Infantile spasms is a unique disorder peculiar to infancy and early childhood. In this article, the clinical manifestations and electroencephalographic features of the disorder are described. The possible pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying infantile spasms and the relation of this disorder to other childhood encephalopathies are discussed. Finally, the treatment of patients with infantile spasms and their long-term outcome are briefly reviewed.

Brain↗

Infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN1): linkage disequilibrium in the Finnish population and evidence that variant late infantile form (variant CLN2) represents a nonallelic locus.

Two forms of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN) are enriched in the Finnish population: the infantile form (CLN1), which is the most common progressive encephalopathy of small children, and the variant late infantile form (variant CLN2), which is a rare, atypical form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. We recently established the linkage of the infantile form (CLN1) to the short arm of chromosome 1 close to the anchor marker D1S7. Here we demonstrate a linkage disequilibrium of CLN1 chromosomes using the two closest markers, DIS62 and L-MYC at the short arm of chromosome 1 (P less than 0.0025). The results of linkage analyses in Finnish variant CLN2 families using the markers linked to CLN1 revealed an exclusion; i.e., this form of CLN is caused by a locus different from that of CLN1. This finding was confirmed with the result of the M-test for heterogeneity. The genealogical data collected further support the molecular genetic findings and provide evidence that the mutation causing CLN1 in Finland is very old, whereas the mutation causing the variant CLN2 could be a result of a younger, i.e., more recent founder effect.

Alleles↗

[Infantile spasms (infantile myoclonic encephalopathy with hypsarrhythmia)].

The paper reports on a very important aspect in a pediatric practice, referring to one of the most severe forms of epilepsy of the infant, known in the modern specialty literature as infantile spasms. The paper reviews the etiologic data of the disease in its secondary form, with emphasis on the form of the disease better studied in the last years, i.e. the so-called infantile benign epileptic spasms. The paper also analyzes the clinical and electroencephalographic aspects, discuss the most important aspects of the differential diagnosis that includes some entities recently individualized and appreciates, on the basis of the most topical literature data, the nature of the different treatment means used, and of the evolution and prognosis.

Brain↗

CLN-1 and CLN-5, genes for infantile and variant late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, are expressed in the embryonic human brain.

Mutations in the CLN-1 and CLN-5 genes underlie the infantile, and Finnish variant of the late-infantile, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, respectively. These disorders are characterized by a massive neuronal death early in childhood. We have studied mRNA and protein expression of CLN-1 and CLN-5 in embryonic human brains. The spatial and temporal distributions of CLN-1 and CLN-5 were similar in the embryonic human brain. Both genes are expressed at the beginning of cortical neurogenesis, and this expression increases as cortical development proceeds. In the developing cortical plate, expression is found in postmitotic migrating neuroblasts and neuroblasts that have completed migration. Expression was intense also in cells of the thalamus as well as in the future Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum. These findings indicate that expression of CLN-1 and CLN-5 may be significant for development of a wide range of maturating neurons.

Brain↗

A non-infantile case of desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma.

CASE REPORT: We describe a very rare non-infantile case of desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma (DIA). A 9-year-old boy presented with motor weakness and sensory disturbance in his right upper and lower limbs. CT and MRI showed a contrast-enhanced large cystic tumor in the left sensorimotor area. We successfully resected the entire tumor. Its histopathological features were typical of DIA. OUTCOME: The patient's neurological symptoms improved postoperatively. Neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy was used postoperatively. The patient developed normally and had been doing well for 12 months after surgery without tumor recurrence.

Astrocytoma↗

Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in infantile, late infantile and juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses are characterized by a widespread deposit in the body of pigments believed to be end products of lipid peroxidation damaged organelles. CuZn superoxide dismutase, Mn superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, enzymes which conceivably might protect against lipid peroxidation, were investigated in blood cells from patients afflicted with infantile, late infantile and juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis. In some cases the enzymic activities were slightly lower than the activities of the controls, but no deficiencies which might be of etiolgical importance were revealed.

Adolescent↗

New human sodium/glucose cotransporter gene (KST1): identification, characterization, and mutation analysis in ICCA (infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis) and BFIC (benign familial infantile convulsions) families.

Cotransporters represent a major class of proteins that make use of ion gradients to drive active transport of substrate into cells. A new human gene, KST1, encoding a member of the sodium/glucose cotransporter family, was identified onto human chromosome 16p12-p11. This genomic region contains a major gene responsible for a syndrome of infantile convulsions and paroxysmal dyskinesia (ICCA syndrome), inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, as well as for benign familial infantile convulsions (BFIC). The entire coding sequence of the human KST1 gene was determined using a combination of methods including in silico comparison of its rabbit orthologous DNA complementary to RNA (cDNA) to the corresponding human genomic sequences, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction on human brain RNA, 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The gene is divided into 16 exons and the predicted protein of 675 amino acids contains 14 transmembrane domains. It shares significant homology to the sodium-glucose transporter 1 cotransporter proteins. An alternatively spliced transcript resulting from the skipping of exon 6 led to a predicted protein lacking the 4th transmembrane domain. As ion transporters are good candidates for a large variety of human diseases, including paroxysmal disorders, a mutation search was performed in four families with ICCA or BFIC syndromes. No pathogenic mutation was found, although several polymorphic variants with amino acids exchanges were identified. Due to its broad expression in human tissues, the human KST1 gene could be involved in several other diseases mapped to human chromosome 16p12-p11.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pre- and postnatal enzyme analysis for infantile, late infantile and adult neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN1 and CLN2).

The recent development of simple, fluorogenic enzyme assays for infantile and late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL and LINCL; CLN1 and CLN2) has greatly facilitated the diagnostic process for these diseases. In leucocytes and fibroblasts from INCL (n = 38) patients we found profound deficiencies of palmitoyl-protein thioesterase I (PPT1), the residual activity was < 5% of mean control activity. In fibroblasts from LINCL patients we found a similar deficiency of tripeptidyl-peptidase I activity (TPP-I), with < 2% activity in 16 patients. The residual TPP-I activity in leucocytes from LINCL patients seemed substantially higher. We also showed the feasibility of reliable prenatal enzyme analysis. In five first-trimester and two second-trimester prenatal analyses for INCL, four affected foetuses were detected (PPT activity 3-6%). Two first trimester pregnancies at risk for LINCL were analysed and a clear TPP-I deficiency was detected in both cases (TPP-I activity 3-4%). The first patient with adult neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (ANCL) due to a deficiency of PPT is presented; her present age is 53 years and the onset of the disease was at 38 years with psychiatric symptoms.

Adult↗

Linkage of benign familial infantile convulsions to chromosome 16p12-q12 suggests allelism to the infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis syndrome.

The syndrome of benign familial infantile convulsions (BFIC) is an autosomal dominant epileptic disorder that is characterized by convulsions, with onset at age 3-12 mo and a favorable outcome. BFIC had been linked to chromosome 19q, whereas the infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA) syndrome, in which BFIC is associated with paroxysmal dyskinesias, had been linked to chromosome 16p12-q12. BFIC appears to be frequently associated with paroxysmal dyskinesias, because many additional families from diverse ethnic backgrounds have similar syndromes that have been linked to the chromosome 16 ICCA region. Moreover, one large pedigree with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesias only, has also been linked to the same genomic area. This raised the possibility that families with pure BFIC may be linked to chromosome 16 as well. We identified and studied seven families with BFIC inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Genotyping was performed with markers at chromosome 19q and 16p12-q12. Although chromosome 19q could be excluded, evidence for linkage in the ICCA region was found, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.32 for markers D16S3131 and SPN. This result proves that human chromosome 16p12-q12 is a major genetic locus underlying both BFIC and paroxysmal dyskinesias. The unusual phenotype displayed by one homozygous patient suggests that variability of the ICCA syndrome could be sustained by genetic modifiers.

Age of Onset↗

The Early vs Late Infantile Strabismus Surgery Study: do sources for bias exist in this non-randomised trial? Early vs Late Infantile Strabismus Surgery Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The Early vs Late Infantile Strabismus Surgery Study Group investigates whether early or late surgery is preferable in infantile convergent strabismus, in a non-randomised, prospective, multicentre clinical trial. The current state of the study after end of recruitment is reported here, focusing on the question of possible sources for bias in this non-randomised trial. METHOD: The prognostic factors were analysed at baseline in order to check for imbalances between the two treatment groups. Reasons for possible differences are discussed. RESULTS: There is no evidence for clinically relevant inhomogeneities between the two groups concerning the distribution of the three prognostic factors spherical equivalent, degree of amblyopia, and limitation of abduction. The fourth prognostic factor, horizontal angle of squint, differs significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the analysis of the final results we may have to account for differences in angle of squint at baseline by its inclusion as a covariate or by stratification.

Age Distribution↗

An ultramicroscopic study of the skin in the diagnosis of the infantile and late infantile types of ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

A skin biopsy was carried out in two children suffering from early infantile (Santavuori) and late infantile (Jansky-Bielschowsky) types of ceroid-lipofuscinosis. In both cases cytoplasmic inclusions, identical with those found in neurones, were present in the skin. Skin biopsy thus appears as a simple technique for the diagnosis of the ceroid-lipofuscinoses.

Biopsy↗

The long-term prognosis infantile spasms--the present condition of cases of infantile spasms followed in school age.

A follow-up study has been made of 25 cases with infantile spasms, all of whom were six years old or more at review. Only four (16%) out of 25 cases made a full recovery and attended normal school. Spasms ceased in 96% of all cases, but fits other than spasms (grand mal, tonic seizure, atonic seizure, myoclonic seizure, atypical absence and psychomotor seizure) occurred subsequently in 11 cases (44%). The EEG became normal in two cases (8%), but still showed modified hypsarhythmia in three cases (12%), "epileptic non-hypsarhythmic" discharges in 17 cases (68%) and non-specific abnormalities in three cases (12%). The important factors associated with good prognosis were normal development before the onset of spasms, late onset (seven months old or over) and short duration of spasms, the absence of other types of fit following spasms and lack of neurological abnormality. A bad prognosis was associated with abnormal development prior to the onset of spasms, early onset and long duration of spasms, the presence of other types of fit following spasms and evidence of any neyrological abnormality This follow-up may confirm that the therapy with ACTH-A has no significant effect on final mental state.

Adolescent↗