Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine - Volume 13, issue 1

Authors: Sukhov, Renat | Gold, Joan | Asante, Afua | Dizon, Louis

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-200019

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. i-iv, 2020

Authors: Houtrow, Amy

Article Type: Editorial

Keywords: Racism, disability

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-200680

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2020

Authors: Dean, Wendy | Talbot, Simon G.

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-200017

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 3-5, 2020

Authors: LoPresti, Melissa A. | Giridharan, Nisha | Pyarali, Monika | Gadgil, Nisha | Kan, Peter T. | Niedwiekci, Christian | Lam, Sandi K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture in children can cause debilitating neurological injury. Rehabilitation is key to recovery, though literature details little regarding rehabilitation outcomes. We examined a single-center experience with pediatric AVMs as related to acute inpatient rehabilitation outcomes. METHODS: At our institution, a retrospective chart review was completed examining all cases of intracranial AVMs in patients age 18 and younger who completed our acute inpatient rehabilitation program between 2012–2018. Patient characteristics, clinical data, treatment modality, and functional outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: 14 patients with AVMs underwent acute inpatient rehabilitation; nine (64.3%) treated …surgically at our institution, two (14.3%) non-surgically at our institution, and three (21.4%) surgically at an outside facility prior to transitioning care at our institution. Eight (57.1%) were male, seven (50.0%) Caucasian, and seven (50.0%) Hispanic. Seven (50.0%) presented with AVM rupture; six (42.9%) were found incidentally on imaging. Clinical courses, treatment outcomes, and post-treatment complications varied. Several patients underwent repeat treatment or additional procedures. Neurological deficits identified included hemiparesis, dystonia, spasticity, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and ataxia. Inpatient rehabilitation unit length of stay was on average 21 days (SD 9.02, range 9–41). Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM ® ) scores, including self-care, mobility, and cognition, demonstrated improvement upon discharge. The mean total change was 36.7 points in those treated surgically, 16.5 in those treated non-surgically, and 25.7 in those treated surgically at another facility. CONCLUSION: We found that all pediatric patients with intracranial AVMs, across all treatment modalities, demonstrated improved outcomes across all functional domains after an acute inpatient rehabilitation program. Show more

Keywords: Pediatric arteriovenous malformation, acute inpatient rehabilitation, outcomes, pediatric neurosurgery

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-190609

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 7-15, 2020

Authors: Es, M. Kooi-van | Erasmus, C.E. | Houwen, S. | de Groot, I.J.M. | Voet, N.B.M. | van den Engel-Hoek, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Regardless of age or disease stage, children with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) are at risk of developing dysphagia and/or dysarthria. It is important to screen these children regularly in order to detect and treat problems as soon as possible. To date, there are no standardized tools for screening for dysphagia and dysarthria in children with NMD (pNMD). Thus, children are not always referred for assessment by a speech language therapist (SLT). A new screening instrument for dysphagia and dysarthria has been developed, the Screeninglist Physician of the Diagnostic list for Dysphagia and Dysarthria in pediatric NMD (DDD-pNMD). The diagnostic …accuracy was estimated in this study. METHODS: Sensitivity and specificity were assessed in 131 children aged 2.0–18.0 years by comparing the outcome of the Screeninglist Physician with the diagnosis of dysphagia and/or dysarthria established by an SLT. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the Screeninglist Physician was 88% and its specificity was 63%. The AUC was 0.83. The prevalence of dysphagia and/or dysarthria was 53%. CONCLUSION : The Screeninglist Physician of the DDD-pNMD is the first valid screening tool for physicians to identify children with NMD with possible dysphagia and/or dysarthria, thereby enabling timely referral to an SLT. Show more

Keywords: Dysphagia, dysarthria, neuromuscular disorders, children, screening, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-180569

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 17-23, 2020

Authors: Coça, Kaliani Lima | Bergmann, Anke | de Angelis, Elisabete Carrara | Ferman, Sima | Ribeiro, Márcia Gonçalves

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and risk factors of communication, swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders in a cohort of children and adolescents with cancer and benign neoplasms. METHODS: A prospective cohort study conducted with children aged ⩾ 2 years and adolescents of both genders admitted at the Pediatric Oncology Department of the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) between March 2014 and April 2015. Study participants were submitted to a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) assessment at three different times: (T1) at hospital admission; (T2) six months after admission; (T3) one year after admission. …RESULTS: One hundred and sixty individuals were evaluated. At the time of hospital admission, 68 individuals (42.5%) presented with some type of SLP disorder. After one year of follow-up, 22.8% of the patients had developed new impairments. The occurrence of new speech-language disorders had a statistically significant association with the tumor site. In the risk analysis for the development of speech-language disorders with respect to the primary tumor site, compared to other sites, the central nervous system (CNS) tumor group was 8.29 times more likely to present some new alterations, while the head and neck (HN) tumor group had a 10.36-fold higher risk. CONCLUSION: An incidence of 22.8% for communication, swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders was observed. The development of these disorders was greater in individuals with tumors in the CNS and in the HN region. Show more

Keywords: Speech, language and hearing sciences, oncology, pediatrics, communication disorders, deglutition disorders

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-180576

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 25-35, 2020

Authors: Zwinkels, Maremka | Ketelaar, Marjolijn | Nijboer, Tanja | Verschuren, Olaf | te Velde, Saskia | de Groot, Janke | Takken, Tim | Visser-Meily, Anne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Youth with physical disabilities have lower psychosocial health and attention compared to their typically developing peers. Recent research has shown positive associations between sports participation and these outcomes. The purpose of the current study was to explore whether a school-based sports program affects psychosocial health and attention in youth with physical disabilities. METHODS: Seventy children and adolescents (mean age (SD) 13.8 (2.9) years, aged 8–19 years, 54% boys) with physical disabilities were included in this quasi-experimental study from schools for special education. The sports group (n = 31) followed a …school-based sports program (45 min/week) for six months. The control group followed the regular curriculum. Psychosocial health was assessed with self-perception (Self-Perception Profile for Children) and quality of life (DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Measure, DCGM-37). Attention was measured with experimental tasks on search efficiency, sustained attention, and distractibility. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses revealed no differences between the sports and control group for self-perception, quality of life, and attention. CONCLUSION: A school-based sports program seems to have no effect on psychosocial health and attention in youth with physical disabilities. Research into the important factors influencing these variables is needed before further resources can be given to improve sports participation for increasing psychosocial health and attention. Show more

Keywords: Youth, sports, physical disability, quality of life, self-concept, attention

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-180570

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 37-46, 2020

Authors: Eckstein, Kendra L. | Allgier, Allison | Evanson, Nathan K. | Paulson, Andrea

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The brachial plexus is a network of nerves exiting the spinal cord through the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth cervical nerves (C5-C8) as well as the first thoracic nerve (T1) to conduct signals for motion and sensation throughout the arm. Brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBI) occur in 1.5 per 1,000 live births. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived change in musculoskeletal health-related quality of life of brachial plexus patients utilizing the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). PODCI scores were examined along with the patient’s procedure history (surgical or Botulinum Toxin), extent of involvement …and demographics. PATIENTS: A total of 81 patients from two to eighteen years of age from nine different states met the inclusion criteria of having a pre-procedure and post-procedure PODCI score along with a Narakas score from 2002–2017. These patients were seen at the Brachial Plexus Center, which is an interdisciplinary clinic at a large academic medical center METHODS: This retrospective study utilized PODCI data collected annually during their regular brachial plexus clinic visits. Upper extremity (UE) and global functioning (GFx) scores pre- and post-procedure were stratified by Narakas Classification. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and ANOVA testing. RESULTS: Patients with a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI) had lower PODCI scores for UE and GFx when compared with the pediatric normative scores for age-matched healthy children. Scores in both UE and GFx domains were higher after procedure in the groups of Narakas I and IV. There was significant correlation between UE and GFx scores and documented first PODCI score (2 years of age) and age at intervention (5 years of age). CONCLUSION: Procedures increased the perceived quality of life for children with a BPBI and increased their overall PODCI scores for both UE and GFx. Show more

Keywords: Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI), PODCI, narakas classification

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-190603

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 47-55, 2020

Authors: Bolger, Ashlee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Though knowledge of normal childhood developmental milestones, essential for physician subspecialists, begins in medical school, it continues in pediatric subspecialty residency and fellowship training. Despite widespread education in developmental milestones, published curricula related to this content area are lacking. This pilot curriculum was developed to address the lack of published developmental curricula. METHODS: Participants included pediatric rehabilitation trainees who completed 8–12 sessions per year of a novel, adult-learner centered child development curriculum, for two consecutive years. Outcome measures included a novel survey, knowledge based test, verbal feedback sessions, and the end of the year program …evaluation committee meeting. RESULTS: Trainees were successfully able to attend curricula sessions within their typical fellowship and residency responsibilities. Pediatric rehabilitation medicine fellows reported improved competence in normal growth and development. Pediatric rehabilitation residents rated the curriculum as a high value to their education (3.5 ± 0.58 on a 1–4 point scale). While not statistically significant, ratings of perceived knowledge of developmental milestones, structured educational sessions attended related to development, and overall interest in the topic increased from pre-curriculum to post-curriculum. CONCLUSION: This study introduces a novel approach to developmental milestones education that is tailored to the adult learner and pediatric rehabilitation trainees. Show more

Keywords: Developmental milestones, adult-learning, pediatric rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-190645

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 57-62, 2020

Authors: Leung, Enoch | Javaid, Simra | Pelshaw, Charles B. | Erlandson, Erika

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hypoxic brain injury results in severe disabilities that require extensive acute inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation to promote maximal functional and cognitive recovery. Brain hypoxemia can result from a multitude of causes, including but not limited to cardiac arrest, drug overdose, and/or shock. While recovery from a hypoxic brain injury alone can be challenging, dealing with concurrent debilitative diagnoses such as Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) further complicates the recovery and rehabilitation course. CASE REPORT: The current case study highlights the acute inpatient rehabilitation course of a 16 year old male who presented with cerebral hypoxia secondary …to strangulation and subsequently developed GBS. Physical examination of the patient upon rehabilitation consult was inconsistent with a purely hypoxic brain injury, including the absence of rectal tone. This prompted further potential spinal cord injury evaluation and work up, with diagnostic testing confirmatory of GBS. RELEVANCE: This case is important as, to our knowledge from literature review, the first known documented instance of hypoxic brain injury complicated by GBS. Moreover, it highlights the importance of identifying all potential causes of functional disability, particularly when presented with physical exam findings inconsistent with chief diagnosis, in order to maximize functional recovery and rehabilitative gains during acute inpatient rehabilitation. Show more

Keywords: Anoxic brain injury, Guillain Barré Syndrome, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-180562

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 63-69, 2020