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Biomedical subjects

A M D'Allest

Publications and source records attributed to A M D'Allest.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Indications of electroencephalogram in the newborn].

The electroencephalogram (EEG), an easy-to-use and non invasive cerebral investigation, is a useful tool for diagnosis and early prognosis in newborn babies. In newborn full term babies manifesting abnormal clinical signs, EEG can point focal lesions or specific aetiology. EEG background activity and sleep organization have a high prognostic value. Tracings recorded over long period can detect seizures, with or without clinical manifestations, and differentiate them from paroxysmal non epileptic movements. The EEG should therefore be recorded at the beginning of the first symptoms, and if possible before any seizure treatment. When used as a neonatal prognostic tool, EEG background activity is classified as normal, abnormal (type A and type B discontinuous and hyperactive rapid tracing) or highly abnormal (inactive, paroxysmal, low voltage plus theta tracing). In such cases, the initial recording must be made between 12 and 48 h after birth, and then between 4 and 8 days of life. Severe EEG abnormalities before 12 h of life have no reliable prognostic value but may help in the choice of early neuroprotective treatment of acute cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. During presumed hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, unusual EEG patterns may indicate another diagnosis. In premature newborn babies (29-32 w GA) with neurological abnormalities, EEG use is the same as in term newborns. Without any neurological abnormal sign, EEG requirements depend on GA and the mother's or child's risk factors. Before 28 w GA, when looking for positive rolandic sharp waves (PRSW), EEG records are to be acquired systematically at D2-D3, D7-D8, 31-32 and 36 w GA. It is well known that numerous and persistent PRSW are related to periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and indicate a bad prognosis. In babies born after 32 GA with clinically severe symptoms, an EEG should be performed before D7. Background activity, organization and maturation of the tracing are valuable diagnosis and prognosis indicators. These recommendations are designed (1) to get a maximum of precise informations from a limited number of tracings and (2) to standardize practices and thus facilitate comparisons and multicenter studies.

Electroencephalography↗

Quantitative analysis of discontinuous EEG in premature and full-term newborns during quiet sleep.

To assess the spatio-temporal structure of discontinuous EEG tracing in mature and immature newborns, we analysed mean spectral power in frequency bands between 0.8 and 16.8 Hz in 6 full-term newborns and 7 premature newborns < 32 weeks of conceptional age. The most striking results showed a significantly higher mean spectral power for the first half of bursts than for the second half recorded in > 2.8-14.8 Hz frequency bands. This pattern was more pronounced in premature than in full-term newborns. No clear differences were observed in comparisons between the first and the second half of the interburst periods. In addition, as far as mid and high frequency band spectra were considered, the mean spectral power of burst was, in both groups, higher in the right as compared to the left occipital regions.

Brain↗

Segmental myoclonus in a child with spinal cord tumour.

Segmental spinal myoclonus (SSM) involving a child's lower limb revealed the presence of a spinal cord tumour from T8 to T12. The clinical and electrophysiological features of SSM-during the child's development were studied. The presence of this disorder at two months of age did not disturb the development of walking, but did lead to orthopaedic complications. Four electromyographic recordings performed between 23 months and 7 years 10 months of age revealed the topographical extension of the SSM, its passage to rhythmicity, variable frequency and change in the sequence of activation of the muscles. These electroclinical features enable discussion of the pathophysiology of SSM by reference to neonatal motor automatisms and spinal generators.

Child↗

[Maturation and neurological distress in the newborn].

In the newborn, structural and functional cerebral abnormalities are described as well as clinical manifestations of neurological distress, change with gestational age, and therefore with the degree of central nervous system maturation. The different maturational stages of the cerebral structure, their vascularization and myelinization from the gestational age of 24-25 weeks to the full-term neonate are briefly reported. The cerebral lesions and mechanisms of hypoxoischemic encephalopathy in the full-term neonate are summarized; an analysis of the various clinical symptoms and additional investigations (in particular the electroencephalogram) allows a precise prognosis to be made. In the premature newborn, there are 2 types of cerebral lesions: intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia. The latter is primarily responsible for neurological sequelae. Clinical manifestations are poor and atypical; data based on complementary procedures (imaging and electroencephalography) allow an accurate evaluation to be made of the damage and neurological prognosis.

Brain↗

Trigeminal airstream stimulation. Maturation-related cardiac and respiratory responses during REM sleep in human infants.

Thirty-three premature and full-term infants (PCA, 31.5 to 50 weeks) who were free from neurologic and cardiopulmonary disease at the time of testing underwent a standardized TAS test during polygraphically controlled REM sleep. The R-R interval and the TTOT were measured before and during TAS. The R-R interval and TTOT changes during TAS were compared to the preceding 60-second mean R-R interval and TTOT in each infant and expressed as a percentage of mean control values (ie, % RR and % TTOT). During TAS, there was a significant negative correlation between cardiac and respiratory responses and postconceptional age (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.0001, respectively). Prolongation of both the R-R interval and the TTOT elicited by TAS was significantly blunted by maturation.

Electrocardiography↗

Effects of increase in body temperature on the breathing pattern in premature infants.

This study was designed to determine the effects of a mild increase in body temperature within the physiological range (0.8 degrees C) in healthy premature infants. Seven unsedated premature infants (38.4 wk +/- 1.5 postconceptional age) were monitored polygraphically during "morning naps" in an incubator under two different environmental temperatures: (1) normothermia with the incubator temperature set at 25 degrees C and the rectal temperature equal to 36.9 degrees C +/- 0.1; (2) hyperthermia with the incubator temperature set at 35 degrees C and the rectal temperature equal to 37.7 degrees C +/- 0.15. Respiratory frequency and heart rate, respiratory events, i.e., central and obstructive apnea, and periodic breathing with and without apneic oscillations were tabulated. Results for respiratory events were expressed as (1) indices of the total number of respiratory events, and of specific respiratory events per hour of total, quiet and active sleep times; (2) duration of total and specific respiratory events expressed as a percentage of total sleep, quiet and active sleep times. Respiratory frequency and heart rate were significantly increased by hyperthermia (P less than 0.05). Hyperthermia did not significantly modify the indices or the duration of central and obstructive apnea. But the indices and the duration of periodic breathing with and without apneic oscillations were significantly increased by hyperthermia during active sleep (P less than 0.05) but not during quiet sleep. The present study shows that a mild increase in body temperature within the physiological range in premature infants enhances the instability of the breathing pattern during active sleep.

Body Temperature↗

Effects of sleep deprivation on respiratory events during sleep in healthy infants.

This study was designed to determine the effects of sleep deprivation on respiratory events during sleep in healthy infants. Ten unsedated full-term infants (1-6 mo) were monitored polygraphically during "afternoon naps" on a control day and on the day after sleep deprivation. Respiratory events, i.e., central apnea, obstructive apnea and hypopnea, and periodic breathing were tabulated. Results for respiratory events were expressed as 1) indexes of the total number of respiratory events and of specific respiratory events per hour of total sleep (TST), "quiet" sleep (QS) and "active" sleep (AS) times; 2) total duration of total and specific respiratory events, expressed as a percentage of TST, QS, and AS times. After sleep deprivation, significant increases were observed for 1) respiratory event (P less than 0.001), central apnea (P less than 0.05), and obstructive respiratory event (P less than 0.01) indexes; 2) respiratory event time as a percentage of TST (P less than 0.002) and as a percentage of AS time (P less than 0.001); 3) obstructive respiratory event time as a percentage of TST (P less than 0.01), QS (P less than 0.05), and AS times (P less than 0.002). The present study shows that short-term sleep deprivation in healthy infants increases the number and timing of respiratory events, especially obstructive events in AS.

Female↗

Sleep-related abdominal muscle behavior during partial or complete obstructed breathing in prepubertal children.

We have evaluated the influence of nonrapid eye movement (NREM), REM sleep, and arousal on abdominal muscle contractions during snoring and/or obstructive apnea in 10 prepubertal children. All children were known habitual snorers and eight had a sleep apnea index above 10. During stage 3-4 non-REM sleep, non-apneic breathing with snoring was always associated with the presence of expiratory abdominal muscle electromyogram (EMG) discharges. During non-REM sleep apneas, abdominal muscle EMG discharges increased from the beginning to the end of each apnea. Termination of non-REM sleep apnea was marked by an "EEG arousal" in 12% of the apneic events and by a "movement arousal" in the other 88%. The highest abdominal muscle EMG discharge was always observed during the arousal response. During "phasic" REM sleep, abdominal muscle EMG discharges were absent during both nonapneic breathing (with or without snoring) and obstructive apneas. All REM sleep apneas ended with a "movement arousal," during which abdominal muscle EMG discharges were observed. Thus, abdominal muscle EMG discharges associated with "arousal" were seen independent of the immediately preceding sleep state.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Diaphragmatic and genioglossus electromyographic activity at the onset and at the end of obstructive apnea in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We studied the activity of the diaphragm and of the genioglossus at the onset and at the end of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Seven children (mean age 46 months, range 15-87) with obstructive sleep apneas mainly due to enlarged tonsils were tested during natural sleep. We recorded sleep stages (neurophysiological criteria), nasal and buccal air flow (thermistors), thoracoabdominal motion (magnetometers), genioglossus and diaphragm electromyographic activity (EMG) (surface electrodes), and transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (Radiometer 44 degrees C). A total of 153 obstructive apneas for the whole group of patients was studied. Compared to the preceding unoccluded breaths, genioglossus and diaphragm EMG data showed that 1) at the onset of obstructive apnea there was no significant decrease in genioglossus and/or diaphragm EMG, contrasting with published data for obese adults, and 2) at the end of obstructive apnea, significant preferential increase in genioglossus EMG, not related to the decrease in transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen, was found as in obese adults. This study showed that different mechanisms may control the onset of obstructive apnea in children as compared to adults, whereas children and obese adults share the same preferential increase in genioglossus EMG at the end of obstructive apnea.

Child↗

Effect of maturation on heart rate response to ocular compression test during rapid eye movement sleep in human infants.

Thirty-three premature and full-term infants (31.5-50 wk postconceptional age) free from neurologic and cardiopulmonary disease at time of testing, underwent a standardized ocular compression test during polygraphically controlled rapid eye movement sleep. RR intervals were measured on the ECG before and during ocular compression. RR interval changes during ocular compression were compared to the preceding 60-s mean RR interval in each infant. Results were analyzed relative to gestational age, postnatal age, and postconceptional age. Baseline heart rate during REM sleep decreased with postconceptional age. During ocular compression, there was a significant negative correlation between the longest RR interval or the "latency" variable with postconceptional age. Latency is defined as the time, in milliseconds, from beginning of eyelid pressure to the first measurable RR increase compared to mean control RR + 1 SD. Our results indicate that during rapid eye movement sleep, "baseline heart rate" decreases with maturation, an effect supposedly related to increased vagal activity, whereas the heart rate response on ocular pressure stimulus, a vagally mediated reflex, is significantly influenced and blunted with maturation.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

Paradoxical inward rib cage motion during rapid eye movement sleep in infants and young children.

In neonates, rib cage motion on inspiration during rapid eye movement sleep is almost exclusively paradoxical. We wondered whether or not duration of paradoxical inward rib cage motion on inspiration during rapid eye movement sleep decreases in infancy and early childhood. Thirteen healthy infants from 7 to 31 months of age were tested during natural afternoon naps. Electroencephalogram, electrooculogram and electromyogram were all recorded. Airflow was measured by nasal and buccal thermistors, abdominal and rib cage anteroposterior diameters by magnetometers. Transcutaneous partial pressure of O2 was monitored. Diaphragmatic electromyographic activity was recorded using surface electrodes. The average total sleep time was 138 min ranging from 107 to 186 and rapid eye movement sleep time amounted to 15% of total sleep time ranging from 6 to 25. During rapid eye movement sleep, the total duration of paradoxical inward rib cage motion was measured and expressed as a percentage of rapid eye movement sleep time. We found that duration of paradoxical inward rib cage motion during rapid eye movement sleep decreased significantly with age (r = -0.66, P less than 0.02) which may be explained by the changes in chest wall compliance and geometry of the rib cage occurring with growth. We observed no decrease in transcutaneous partial pressure in O2 during paradoxical inward rib cage motion during rapid eye movement sleep in infants in contrast to that reported in neonates.

Aging↗

Respiration during sleep in children with COPD.

Seventeen children (mean age, nine years) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were studied during sleep. Electroencephalography, electrooculography, and electromyography were all recorded. Airflow was measured by nasal and oral thermistors, and abdominal and thoracic anteroposterior diameters by magnetometers. Transcutaneous partial pressure of O2 (tcPO2) and of CO2 (tcPCO2) were monitored. The average total sleep time was 283 min +/- 36 (1 SD). Breathing pauses (BP) five seconds or longer were measured. The mean time of BP expressed as a percentage of TST was 1.3 percent +/- 0.8 (1 SD). The BP occurred most frequently during REM sleep. Forty-six percent of BP were obstructive (OBP). The percentage of OBP was significantly related to the degree of lung resistance during wakefulness. Periodic breathing was observed with a mean frequency of 2.2 times per night (range: 0 to 7). Episodes with paradoxic inward rib cage motion were seen one to 29 times (mean 6.6). Drops in tcPCO2 greater than 5 mm Hg occurred one to eight times and 67 percent were observed during REM sleep. Compared to tcPCO2 during W the mean maximal decrease in tcPCO2 was 14 mm Hg (range 8 to 29). tcPCO2 rose with a mean maximal of 9.1 mm Hg (range 6 to 13). It was concluded that children with COPD had worsened gas exchange during sleep.

Child, Preschool↗

[Respiratory function during wakefulness and sleep in a 7-year-old child with congenital alveolar hypoventilation of central origin].

Pulmonary function tests were performed in a 7 year-old girl with central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome treated with mechanical ventilation during sleep. Results showed: 1. during wakefulness decrease in residual functional capacity, in dynamic lung compliance and in lung transfer factor for CO; 2. during sleep the characteristics of the syndrome as reported in the neonatal period i.e. central alveolar hypoventilation in stages 2 and 3-4 which justified maintenance of mechanical ventilation when asleep.

Child↗

[Place of VEP's and ERG in neonatal encephalopathies and impaired visual maturation in the infant and young child].

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) induced by brief flashes and electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded in 15 infants (9 prematures and 6 babies with perinatal cerebral injuries) suffering from important disturbances in their visual behavior (abnormal fixation, cortical blindness). The parallel evolution of the visual symptoms and the electrophysiological signs were studied and a good correlation was observed between these clinical and electrical signs. The authors insist on the clinical and prognostic value of the VEP in this category of infants.

Blindness↗

Fifth day fits.

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Humans↗

[EEG appearance during waking and falling asleep in children aged 1-4 years (without serious pathology)(author's transl)].

The authors have studied the EEG characteristics of 188 children aged 1-4, without serious pathology, during waking and falling asleep spontaneously in the afternoon. The children were divided into 3 groups: aged 12-23 months, 24-35 months and 36-47 months. On falling asleep the EEG appearances varied, but hypersynchrony was most marked in the youngest children and in the older group theta activity was commonest. Only 3 of the 188 children had runs of paroxysmal activity on falling asleep. The waking study again showed appearances governed by the patients' age with respect to 7 c/sec activity on provoked waking, but the appearances were more diverse on spontaneous waking and anterior theta activity only occurred in the oldest children. In general, a relation appeared to exist between the EEG appearance on falling asleep and on waking, in the respect that children falling asleep without hypersynchrony never wake up with it.

Age Factors↗

[What's new about the fifth day seizures syndrome? (author's transl)].

This paper concerns 37 newborns who suffered clinical seizures from their 24th h till their 10th day of life, excluding post-anoxic seizures or convulsions leading to death. Continuous or repeated EEG recordings were performed for all babies: 25 infants had electro-clinical recorded seizures, 12 children did not have another convulsion after admission. This work allows us again to isolate a group of 18 newborns who presented the clinical and EEG features described as the 5th day seizures syndrome: term babies, appearance of first seizures between the 4th and 5th day, very frequent status epilepticus, almost constant inter-ictal 'sharp alternating theta' tracing, immediate spontaneously favourable evolution. A long-term follow-up was done on this group (18 children) and on the initially described group of 20 children: only 2 children had seizure recurrences, essentially febrile seizures, in spite of lack of long-lasting anticonvulsive therapy.

Brain↗