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Biomedical subjects

D Talwar

Publications and source records attributed to D Talwar.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Nonepileptic events in normal and neurologically handicapped children: a video-EEG study.

Nonepileptic episodic phenomena are reported in 27 of 124 children (21.8%) who had video-electroencephalographic studies performed. Mean age was 7.4 years (S.D.: 6.0; range: 0.1-19). Nineteen (70%) were neurologically impaired (Group 1) and 8 (30%) neurologically normal (Group 2). The final diagnoses included movement sequences (48%), conversion disorder (22%), behavioral staring (18%), sleep disorder (11%), behavioral episodes (8%), and central apnea (8%). In Group 1, abnormal movements (58%) and staring (26%) were most common; conversion disorder (62.5%) was most common in Group 2. Unnecessary medication therapy was prevented in many children. Video-electroencephalography is valuable in preventing over-medication and misdiagnosis.

Adolescent

Factors influencing serum levels of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in children.

Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E), the principal metabolite of carbamazepine (CBZ), is reported to have antiepileptic and toxic effects similar to CBZ. Steady-state CBZ and CBZ-E levels (high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC assay) were reviewed in 225 outpatient children and young adults taking CBZ with or without other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In patients on CBZ alone, mean serum concentration of CBZ was 7.9 +/- 1.9 micrograms/ml and of CBZ-E was 1.5 +/- 0.6 micrograms/ml. The CBZ-E/CBZ ratio was 19.6 +/- 2.4%. Serum CBZ increased with increasing age and with CBZ dose. CBZ-E increased with increasing CBZ dose but was unaffected by age. The CBZ-E/CBZ ratio progressively declined with age. Co-medication with barbiturates or valproic acid significantly increased CBZ-E. Phenytoin showed a similar trend while ethosuximide caused the least change. Patients on CBZ and two or more other AEDs had highest CBZ-E levels and CBZ-E/CBZ ratio. CBZ and CBZ-E levels are variably affected by age, CBZ dose, and co-medication with other AEDs. When other AEDs are administered, careful monitoring is especially indicated in order to avoid toxicity.

Adolescent

Exacerbation of partial seizures and onset of nonepileptic myoclonus with carbamazepine.

A child had two to three generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures per week unresponsive to phenobarbital (PB) and valproate (VPA). Interictal EEG demonstrated left occipital spikes. When carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy was started, he developed very frequent (4-6/day) complex partial seizures (CPS) characterized on ictal EEG by focal right temporal lobe discharges. The seizure exacerbation, which was associated with development of nonepileptic, multifocal myoclonus, resolved 24 h after CBZ was discontinued. The exacerbation occurred with therapeutic CBZ serum levels, but may have been related to the toxic levels of carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide (CBZE).

Acute Disease

EEG and seizures in children with hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

The EEG results of 11 children, ages 1-15 years, who presented with hemolytic-uremic syndrome complicated by seizures 3-10 days after the prodrome were studied. In four children who experienced generalized tonic-clonic seizures, the EEGs demonstrated diffuse delta slowing with no focality. All recovered without neurological deficit or a residual seizure disorder. Of seven children who experienced partial seizures, six had structural lesions on cranial computed tomography and residual focal neurological deficits with epilepsy. The EEGs in two patients revealed focal spikes and slowing consistent with the lateralization of the partial seizures, in four it was characterized by atypical "burst suppression," and in one showed epochs of high-amplitude delta slowing alternating with generalized suppression. Although episodic and generalized burst suppression is usually regarded as a grave prognostic indicator, all four subjects recovered.

Adolescent

Clinical manifestations in children with occipital spike-wave paroxysms.

The pattern of occipital-posterotemporal spike-wave paroxysms (O-PT SWPs), is a distinctive EEG abnormality observed primarily with occipital epilepsy of childhood and basilar artery migraine. We studied EEG and clinical features in 30 children and young adults with this EEG pattern. Prolonged and brief O-PT SWPs were observed. Prolonged discharges (greater than 6 s) were observed only in children with seizures (p less than 0.001), and brief discharges (1-6 s) were observed immediately after eye closure. Generalized SWPs (11 patients, 37%) and background abnormalities (17 patients, 57%) were common. Photic activation of O-PT SWPs was not observed. Twenty-four patients (80%) manifested paroxysmal phenomena-seizures (20 patients, 67%) and migraine (12 patients, 40%, 4 alone and 8 with seizures). Fifteen patients (75%) had partial seizures, and 5 (25%) had absence seizures. In 7 patients with partial seizures, an etiology was evident. Neurologic examination was more often abnormal in patients with secondary partial seizures than in those with idiopathic partial seizures (p less than 0.05) and absence seizures. Conversely, migraine was more often associated with idiopathic partial seizures than with secondary partial seizures (p less than 0.05) and absence seizures. Six children (20%) had no paroxysmal events. Generalized SWPs were uncommon in patients with idiopathic partial seizures. We conclude that O-PT SWPs is a nonspecific epileptiform abnormality that may occur in children with (a) idiopathic partial, (b) symptomatic partial, and (c) absence epilepsies, but it may also occur in patients with no evidence of seizures.

Age Factors

EEG changes and seizure exacerbation in young children treated with carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) has been reported to exacerbate some seizure types in children. We studied the correlation between CBZ-associated EEG changes and seizure exacerbation in 59 children aged < 6 years treated with CBZ. All patients had EEGs before and after initiation of treatment; initial EEGs were not significantly different among the patients. In 33 children (56%), the subsequent EEGs were either unchanged or improved or demonstrated minor changes (Group I), and excellent to complete seizure control was achieved in 67% of patients. In 26 children (44%), the EEG became significantly more abnormal and was characterized predominantly by new appearance of generalized spike/polyspike-and-wave discharges (group II). The majority of these patients (65%) experienced seizure exacerbation (p < 0.001). For group I, symptomatic partial epilepsy, idiopathic focal epilepsy, and complex febrile seizures were significantly more common; in group II, cryptogenic seizure disorders were more common (p < 0.005). Children in group I were more likely to remain on CBZ or to be weaned from medication after successful treatment, whereas children in group II required additional medication(s) or complete discontinuation of CBZ. Our results suggest that new appearance of generalized paroxysmal discharges after treatment is highly correlated with seizure exacerbation or suboptimal control as well as with adverse outcome. Conversely, absence of significant EEG deterioration on CBZ is usually associated with good seizure control.

Acute Disease

Glycosylated hemoglobin in the diagnosis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Fifty-one patients aged over 35 yr were referred because of glycosuria for a glucose tolerance test (GTT). In each patient hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) was estimated by a commercial minicolumn method and compared with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) determined by a modification of the method of Trivelli et al. Both HbA1 and HbA1c levels were normal in 96% of those patients with normal GTTs. In patients with diabetic GTTs, HbA1 was elevated in 90% but HbA1c was raised in only 43%. HbA1 estimation is a useful screening test for non-insulin-dependent diabetes and should be considered when criteria for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are discussed.

Adult

Albendazole in pulmonary hydatid disease.

A case of bilateral pulmonary hydatid disease successfully treated with six courses of albendazole obviating need for surgery is being reported. No side-effects of the drug were observed. Though the cysts ruptured initially but disappeared completely. No recurrence has been observed.

Adult