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Biomedical subjects

J C Kaspar

Publications and source records attributed to J C Kaspar.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of a hypoglycemic episode on neuropsychological functioning in diabetic children.

The present study investigated neuropsychological functioning in school-age children at various points in time surrounding a hypoglycemic episode using 13 tasks drawn from age-appropriate, standard neuropsychological tests. The results demonstrate the effects of a hypoglycemic episode on neuropsychological functioning even after detectable physical symptoms have subsided. Although we are unable to delineate clearly their temporal course, it appears that the impact of such episodes is transient. In general, the pattern exhibited by these children who have presumably recovered from their mild hypoglycemic episode involved reduced motor performance, attention, and memory. The observed prolonged recovery time of these functions presents important implications for the child in both school and social settings.

Adolescent↗

Mental efficiency and hypoglycemia.

Cognitive functioning after a mild hypoglycemic episode (MHE) was studied in 24 school-age children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). All children were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests which included digit spans, trailmaking tasks, Klove Mathews Maze test, and finger-tapping and handwriting tasks. The experimental group (n = 14) consisted of children who were tested initially after resolution of hypoglycemic symptoms following a documented MHE (Chemstrip bG less than or equal to 60 mg/dl with symptoms). The comparative group (n = 10) consisted of children who were initially evaluated after documentation of euglycemia. Comparison of the comparative group scores with test scores of the experimental group after recovery from the MHE demonstrated statistically significant differences (p less than 0.05 by dependent t-tests) in five of 12 tasks. No differences were noted when second trial scores of both groups were compared when they were retested after documentation of euglycemia. This study suggests that a discrepancy exists between the recovery rate of physical symptoms and cognitive function in children following a MHE.

Achievement↗

The validity of the Bender-Gestalt emotional indicators.

We evaluated the concurrent validity of the revised Bender-Gestalt emotional indicators (Koppitz, 1975) among three groups of children in the 7- to 10-year age range: adjustment disorder, behavior disorder, and normal control. The concurrent validity of the emotional indicators total score was demonstrated. Notably, with the developmental level controlled, both clinical groups produced significantly more emotional indicators than the control group, although the two clinical groups could not be differentiated. Nominal-data analyses of the 13 individual emotional indicators indicated that three specific indicators (confused order, large size, boxed figures) possessed validity as pathognomonic signs. We discuss issues concerning the use of the emotional indicators in clinical practice.

Adjustment Disorders↗