Randomized control trial of using tongue acupuncture in autism spectrum disorder

Objective:The therapeutic approach of traditional chinese Medicine(TCM)in autism spectrum disorder(ASD)is a functional one.To study the efficacy,safety and functional brain change from the use of tongue acupuncture(TAC)on ASD children.Methods:21 autistic boys(3e16 years old)were randomly assigned to TAC group(TAC:n Z 12;receiving daily TAC for 8 weeks)or control(C:n Z 9;no acupuncture).Primary outcome measures included Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist(ATEC),Reynell Language Developmental Scale,Symbolic Play Test(SPT),Functional Independence Measure for Children(WeeFIM),Clinical Global Impression(CGI)Scale and Cerebral FDG Metabolism by PET.Results:There were significant improvement in speech domain of ATEC(p Z 0.030),Self-care domain of WeeFIM(p Z 0.021),cognition domain of WeeFIM(p Z 0.001)and Total score domain of WeeFIM(p Z 0.001)in TAC group compared to the C group.There were significant difference in positive clinical response between C and TAC group in language(p Z 0.0211),functional(pZ0.0011),parental Impression criteria(pZ0.0003)and overall cerebral glucose metabolism(p Z 0.0451)using ROC criteria.No significant association of PET Glucose Metabolism with Clinical response was found.None of the children developed any side-effects.Conclusion:A short course of TAC can improve specific functions in children with autism spectrum disorder,especially speech and cognition function.No statistical significant association of PET Glucose Metabolism with Clinical response.Larger scale with more sample size trial should be done for further investigation.

The Neurocognitive Assessment of HIV-Infected School-Aged Nigerian Children

Objective: Studies available on cognitive function among school-aged HIV-infected African and in particular Nigerian children are few. The purpose of the study was to assess the neurocognitive function of a group of HIV-infected schoolaged (6 - 15 years) children using the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RPM). Method: Cognitive assessments of 69 HIV positive children and 69 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy HIV negative control children were performed using the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RPM). The children were subdivided (Piaget’s developmental staging) into two sub-groups: the concrete operation stage (6 - 11 years) and the formal operation stage (12 - 15 years) for analysis. Result: The mean RPM score for the HIV positive children was 18.2 (8.0 - 47.0, SD 9.8) which was significantly lower than the score of 27.2 (8.0 - 52.0, SD 13.8) for the HIV negative children (p < 0.001). On the RPM grading and using the HIV negative children as the standard, 56.5% of the HIV positive children had cognitive performance at below average to intellectually defective range. Conclusion: School-aged HIV positive children had significantly lower cognitive scores compared with age and gender-matched HIV negative children. Routine neuropsychological evaluation of all school-aged HIV-infected children is recommended. Early detection of cognitive impairment will help in planning appropriate interventions.

纵谈全球儿童健康状况(英文)

Modern definition of child health evolves over the past six decades from ＂a state of freedom from diseases＂ to ＂a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing＂, further to the now ＂enhancement of attainment of one＇s poten-tial in life＂. This illustrates the concept of health consequent to the good control of infectious and genetic diseases, effective medical care of pregnancy and child delivery, excellent paediatric care in decreasing birth asphyxia and complication of prematurity as well as improving environmental health which we have just started to promote. We are now at a better stage of child survival and can afford to focus on the preventive arena of child health and on the quality of life. The child here includes the age from 0 - 18 years （ representing newborn, childhood and adolescent groups） and health covers the medical, social and educational sectors at home, school and community. It thus fol- lows that the professional team taking care of child health should be transdisciplinary and intersectoral comprising of doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, teachers, social workers, parents and others. Modem child healthcare thus stresses on the intersectoral collaboration and transdisciplinary cooperation of all professionals working together towards the optimum management of the continuum of care, meaning from parents to newborn, then to babies, children, adolescents （both boys and girls） who then become good parents accordingly. This cycle requires healthy components and therefore close cooperation of the professionals together.

Seguin Form Board as an intelligence tool for young children in an Indian urban slum

Objective:The present study evaluates the concurrent and predictive validity of the Seguin Form Board Test(SFBT)as an intelligence tool for children in low-and middle-income countries.Methods:In a cohort of normal children,followed up in South India,two cross-sectional analyses were done at 3 and 7 years of age on 95 children.The SFBT and Vineland Social Matu-rity Scale(VSMS)were done at 3 years of age and Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children(MISIC)and the VSMS were done at 7 years of age,and the results were compared for concurrent and predictive validity for the SFBT.Results:Intelligence quotient and social quotient had positive correlations at 3 years of age,indicating fair concurrent validity.The SFBT done at around 3 years of age had good positive cor-relation with MISIC at 7 years of age,indicating good predictive validity.Conclusion:This study shows the utility of the SFBT as a community-based intelligence tool with acceptable concurrent and predictive validity.