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Biomedical subjects

L J Stevens

Publications and source records attributed to L J Stevens.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Conflict resolution abilities of children with specific language impairment and children with normal language.

This study explored the conflict resolution ability of 30 children with specific language impairment (SLI) and 30 children with normal language (NL) in grades 3 through 7. The children participated in a hypothetical problem-solving activity in which an imaginary conflict was presented and a hypothetical solution was required. They also engaged in role enactments of conflicts. The children with SLI suggested fewer types of strategies to resolve hypothetical conflicts than their peers with NL. The groups did not differ in the number of strategy types used in the role-enactment contexts. The children with receptive and expressive SLI performed more poorly than the children with primarily expressive language deficits only on the role-enactment task. Similarities and differences in types of strategy used by the children with SLI and those with NL were found in both tasks. Explanations are offered for these findings.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the term used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. The cause is unknown and is thought to be multifactorial. Based on the work of others, we hypothesized that some children with ADHD have altered fatty acid metabolism. The present study found that 53 subjects with ADHD had significantly lower concentrations of key fatty acids in the plasma polar lipids (20:4n-6, 20:5n-3, and 22:6n-3) and in red blood cell total lipids (20:4n-6 and 22:4n-6) than did the 43 control subjects. Also, a subgroup of 21 subjects with ADHD exhibiting many symptoms of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency had significantly lower plasma concentrations of 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 than did 32 subjects with ADHD with few EFA-deficiency symptoms. The data are discussed with respect to cause, but the precise reason for lower fatty acid concentrations in some children with ADHD is not clear.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1985

Infant outcome following mid-trimester amniocentesis: development and physical status at age six months.

Ninety-one infants whose mothers had had amniocentesis, because age increased their risk for a fetal chromosome abnormality, were compared with 53 infants whose mothers chose not to have the test. Mental and motor development and temperament were studied to assess potential influence of amniocentesis on the brain. Physical growth was assessed and the infants were examined for orthopaedic abnormalities and needle injury. The results indicated that amniocentesis does not appear to influence infant mental and motor development, temperament, physical growth or the risk of orthopaedic abnormalities. However, amniocentesis is not entirely free of risk because several of the infants had needle marks. Reassessment of the cohort at age 4 and 7 years and will provide information on the potential longer term consequences of mid-trimester amniocentesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Midtrimester amniocentesis: obstetric outcome and neonatal neurobehavioral status.

The possible effects of midtrimester genetic amniocentesis on neurobehavioral status were studied in newborn infants of women who had had the procedure (N = 100) and in newborn infants of women who had declined the test (N = 56). Brazelton's Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale was administered to newborn infants born at term and did not reveal consequences of amniocentesis on neonatal orientation, range of state, motor ability, autonomic regulation, regulation of state, response decrement, or reflexes. Information on obstetric complications also was obtained. The findings raised questions regarding the temporal relationship between amniocentesis and fetal loss and focused attention on preterm birth as a potential risk that warrants further investigation. This study provides the foundation for our prospective longitudinal follow-up in which the cohort will be reassessed later in infancy and in childhood.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Omega-3 fatty acids in boys with behavior, learning, and health problems.

The purpose of the study reported here was to compare behavior, learning, and health problems in boys ages 6 to 12 with lower plasma phospholipid total omega-3 or total omega-6 fatty acid levels with those boys with higher levels of these fatty acids. A greater frequency of symptoms indicative of essential fatty acid deficiency was reported by the parents of subjects with lower plasma omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid concentrations than those with higher levels. A greater number of behavior problems, assessed by the Conners' Rating Scale, temper tantrums, and sleep problems were reported in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. Additionally, more learning and health problems were found in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. (Only more colds and more antibiotic use were reported by those subjects with lower total omega-6 fatty acids). These findings are discussed in relation to recent findings for omega-3 experimentally deprived animals.

Child↗