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Biomedical subjects

G Damon

Publications and source records attributed to G Damon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Hemispheric lateralization of cognitive functions in children with centrotemporal spikes.

We assessed the impact of unilateral epileptic foci in benign idiopathic partial epilepsy of childhood with rolandic discharges (BECT) on performance and hemispheric specialization in lateralized cognitive functions. Six children with BECT with a left-sided focus (BECT-L), 6 children with BECT with a right-sided focus (BECT-R), and 12 control children were tested in verbal, visual-spatial, and visual-attention tasks, with visual hemifield presentation. Children with BECT-R were impaired in the visual-spatial task relative to those with BECT-L, and the typical left-hemisphere (LH) advantage was not reported in the verbal task in children with BECT-L. Additionally, the classic global superiority effect was lacking in children with BECT-R, which may be due to impaired performance of the right hemisphere specialized in global (vs local)-level processing. These data argue for the deleterious effect of epileptic discharges per se on cognitive functions in the developing brain, and the decisive role of epileptic focus lateralization in specific cognitive impairments and hemispheric specialization.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Birth prematurity determines prolonged autonomic nervous system immaturity.

Because of its multiple involvement in physiological processes, autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, a key regulator of homeostatic control, demonstrates a progressive increase during pregnancy. The profile of its maturation, mainly in the parasympathetic arm, in premature or full term infants, may help us to better understand its pathophysiological role. We prospectively evaluated ANS maturity in a group of 23 premature (PREM) infants at their theoretical term age and in 8 full term (FT) newborns. All recordings were registered close to the theoretical full term period (from 38 to 41 weeks) for the PREM group and during the first week of life for the FT newborns. Polygraphic recordings, EEG monitoring associated with visual clinical control, and Holter ECG, were performed simultaneously. ANS indices were then calculated during quiet sleep periods, using Wavelet transform of RR (beat to beat) intervals. High frequency components were found to be significantly lower in the PREM than in the FT group (p<0.05). Furthermore, at theoretical full term age, the greater the prematurity, the lower was parasympathetic activity. Because it is easy, monitoring of parasympathetic activity may help us to understand autonomic maturation and its clinical prognostic implications.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed2000

[Heterozygous protein C deficiency: apropos of 2 cases with cerebral venous thrombosis in the neonatal period].

UNLABELLED: Thrombotic accidents in the newborn, particularly cerebrovascular accidents, are reported in case of abnormalities in the coagulation system and rarely in heterozygous protein C deficiency; a low protein C level could be either physiological or acquired. CASE REPORT: Two cases of heterozygous protein C deficiency are reported in neonates. Severe neurologic distress was associated with bloody cerebrospinal fluid, and hemorrhagic lesions due to cerebral sinovenous occlusion were visualised by cerebral imaging. The course was severe. One case was associated with renal thrombosis. Mutation in the 168 proline/leucine was detected by molecular biology in the neonates and their mothers. In one case a treatment with protein C had no beneficial effect. CONCLUSION: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis has to be sought by magnetic resonance imaging in the case of neurologic distress with profound cerebral hemorrhage in the newborn. A low level of protein C has to be interpreted with caution. The diagnosis of a heterozygous deficiency status can only be made through molecular biology. The effect of treatment with protein C concentrate is questionable.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed1992

[Intracranial venous sinus thrombosis in nephrotic syndrome].

A 3-year old child was admitted for a third relapse of nephrotic syndrome associated with intracranial hypertension related to dural sinus thrombosis (tomodensitometry). The treatment consisted in the association of low dose heparin and fresh frozen plasma. After a 3 year-follow-up, there was no neurologic sequelae, and the nephrotic syndrome was on complete remission. The radiologic features and the management of sinus thrombosis are discussed.

Brain↗
PubMed1992

[Multifocal tuberculosis with cerebellar tuberculoma].

A 10-year old child was admitted for vomiting and a high grade fever. He had been previously immunized twice against tuberculosis. A cerebellar syndrome appeared, and the brain CT scan showed an intracerebellar mass. Disseminated lesions were detected on abdominal (splenic abscess) and thoracic (mediastinal lymph nodes) CT scans. The bone scintigraphy also showed multiple localisations. A craniotomy was performed that revealed a cerebellar tuberculoma which was completely removed. The child received an antituberculous treatment over 18 months and is currently well with a 5 year follow-up.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1992

[Primary cerebromeningeal hemorrhages in children (except newborn infants)].

The authors report their experience on 22 children admitted for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhages, to the pediatric and neurosurgery units of the University-Hospital of Saint-Etienne. There were seven cases of subarachnoid hemorrhages (five ruptured arterial aneurysms and one angioma) and 15 cases with associated intracranial hematomas (eight angiomas, one cavernoma, one aneurysm). Seven of 15 children with hematoma died, compared to two of seven children with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Half of the patients with hematomas and 20% of those with subarachnoid hemorrhage had sequellae. This rare pathology should be diagnosed in emergency, since brain damage occurs secondary to raised intracranial pressure. The respective roles of tomodensitometry, lumbar puncture and arteriography are discussed. The surgery should be performed in emergency, because the most frequent etiology is a vascular malformation, and because there is a risk of unexpected deterioration. When an underlying cause cannot be found neither by arteriography not by surgery, the follow-up should include a tomodensitometry and/or magnetic imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Collagen biosynthesis in a case of infantile myofibromatosis.

Cells from a skin nodule from a patient with a recurrent form of familial myofibromatosis were cultivated in vitro. A metabolic study showed that these cells behaved like fibroblasts with collagen synthesis, a normal percentage of type III collagen, hydroxylation rate and the ability to contract a collagen gel. The main disturbances were the decreased synthesis and increased cell multiplication rate after a lag phase. This behavior was compared with that of a fibroblast culture from normal skin.

Collagen↗
PubMed1987

[Fulminating hepatitis A in children. Apropos of 4 cases].

We report four cases of fulminant hepatitis in children (4 to 15 years) who developed an hepatic encephalopathy grade III to IV, 4 to 13 days after the onset of their illness. Three patients recovered without sequelae. The complications were neurological: one child showed elevation of the intracranial pressure, successfully treated after monitoring of extra-dural pressure; one suffered from cerebral death. Hepatitis A was diagnosed by the presence in serum of the IgM component of hepatitis A antibody, but another etiologic factor was present in two cases: an halothane anesthesia and an Epstein Barr virus infection which could explain the severity of the hepatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Bacterial meningitis with initially clear CSF].

16 bacterial meningitis on 150 observations of purulent meningitis have clear or normal CSM at the initial lumbar puncture. Neisseria meningitidis is the principal germ and there is often purpura and moderate shock. Bacteremia is present in three of the six observations with normal CSF. CSF in controlled a second time 9 to 48 h after the first control. In 14 cases CSF is purulent. Treatment is delayed in eight cases.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1983

[Prolonged curarization in the newborn infant under assisted ventilation for idiopathic respiratory distress].

We studied the effects of prolonged pancuronium administration in 10 neonates under assisted ventilation for hyaline membrane disease. Pancuronium bromide was administered from the time of intubation with a load dose of 0.1 mg/kg followed by a continuous infusion of 0.03-0.07 mg/kg/h. Tolerance, especially cardiovascular, was excellent after 72 to 525 h of therapy (mean 173 h). Oxygen needs, incidence of mechanical complications and the general evolution of idiopathic respiratory distress were not significantly affected by muscle relaxation. The benefits of systematic pancuronium administration during respiratory intensive care in neonates with hyaline membrane disease appear to be of little value when considering the necessary constraints (corneal, cutaneous, vesical and tracheal supervision).

Hemodynamics↗
PubMed1981

[Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII. Clinical, radiological and biochemical studies in a neonatal case (author's transl)].

Clinical, radiological and biochemical findings are described in a male newborn with type VII mucopolysaccharidosis (betaglucuronidase deficiency). A metabolic storage disease was likely at birth, because of morphological and radiological features and granulated cells in blood and bone marrow. A study of glycosaminoglycans has been performed in urine and various organs post mortem. Enzymatic deficiency was found in serum, leucocytes, skin fibroblasts, liver, spleen and kidneys. Low activities were present in both parents.

Bone and Bones↗