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Biomedical subjects

M Arthuis

Publications and source records attributed to M Arthuis.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Physical exercise and voluntary hyperventilation in childhood absence epilepsy.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a physical exercise test and of voluntary hyperventilation between controls and children with absence epilepsy. Eighteen children (6 controls and 12 epileptics) were studied during rest (R), a maximal physical exercise test (15 min; PE), recovery (REC) and voluntary hyperventilation (3 min; VHPV). EEG and ECG were recorded during the experiment; respiratory parameters were measured to quantify PE; plasma levels of pH, lactate, pyruvate, glucose and antiepileptic drugs were determined. A decrease in the number of absences was observed during PE whereas an increase was observed during VHPV. We found significant positive correlations between the number of children with absences, the total number of absences for each state, frequency of absences per minute and the corresponding mean plasma pH, which demonstrate that the lower the pH is, the fewer absences occur. On the other hand, there was no relationship between the number of absences and the values of other parameters. Relations between variations of the plasma value of the pH, and thus the probable cerebral value of pH, and neuronal excitability are discussed. Our results indicate that children who suffer absence epilepsy should not be discouraged from sport practice.

Adolescent

[Acute polyradiculoneuritis in children. Clinical and developmental aspects. Prognostic factors apropos of 100 cases].

The main clinical features of acute infectious polyneuritis are described from a study of 100 cases. The distinction between Guillain-Barré syndrome and the atypical forms of the condition is arbitrary. In particular, the atypical features (pleocytosis, normal C.S.F. protein, relapses) had no influence on the final prognosis. In contrast, the severity of the distal neurological deficit, the duration of the acute illness, a late dissociation between the cells and proteins C.S.F., the age and sex were all statistically significant prognostic factors.

Acute Disease

[Intramedullary tumors in children. Apropos of 30 cases].

Thirty cases of primary intramedullary tumours have been analysed (17 astrocytomas, 6 ependymomas, 6 non-glial tumours) and 10 have died. The long delay in diagnosis (more than 3 years) must be emphasised. The value of myelography, the natural history and treatment are discussed.

Astrocytoma

Early intrathecal synthesis of interferon in herpes encephalitis.

Large quantities of type I interferon were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected at the onset of herpes encephalitis. This interferon was synthesized intrathecally and disappeared about 10 days after the beginning of neurological signs. In 12 cases of post-eruptive measles encephalitis and in four post-rubella encephalitis, type I interferon was present only in low amounts, or not found at all, even in the CSF collected early. The existence of an intrathecal synthesis of interferon during encephalitis provides a valuable contribution to both the early diagnosis of herpes encephalitis and the study of the pathogenesis of virus infection of the central nervous system (CNS).

Adolescent

[Sub-tentorial cerebral abscesses in children; a report of 22 cases].

Twenty-two cases of sub-tentorium cerebral abscesses were observed in children. The first clinical symptoms were those of intracranial hypertension, disorders of consciousness, specially somnolence, fever and low general condition. Focal neurological signs were frequent but appeared later. A cerebral abscess should be suspected when such symptoms occur in children with heart disease or with respiratory infection. Simple investigations like examination of the fundi, X-ray of the skull and EEG give valuable clues. In case of such a clinical picture, lumbar puncture is useless and often dangerous. The best diagnostic test is a cerebral scintigram.

Brain Abscess

[Mental deficiency. Definition, epidemiology, etiology (author's transl)].

In this account, the author replaces this chapter within the field of pediatrics, showing the present importance of the problem. In spite of a definition which is sometimes imprecise, and epidemiological studies which are incomplete and difficult to draw up, the importance of this subject was obvious to those who drew up the 7th economic plan (1976--1980). Their estimation mentionned a total number of about 500,000 children, i.e. 4%. The main etiologies are discussed showing the part which is due to prenatal pathology and perinatal and postnatal pathology. Each chapter shows the role of biology and biochemistry in particular in the study of metabolic disorders of the nervous system. As far as genetic advice is concerned, it is not always easy as there still subsists a majority of cases of mental deficiency where the cause remains unknown. Research has an important role to play in the future if one wihes to cure or prevent mental deficiency.

Child

[Genetics of child spinal amyotrophy : existence of 2 autosomal recessive forms].

An analysis of within sibship resemblances in age of onset of symptoms and age of death (or at last examination) was made in families affected with infantile spinal muscular atrophy. The observed correlation coefficients, 0.52 and 0.75, favor the existence of a least two different mutant genes for the disease. In 63 families, the disease was of the acute infantile form and in 71 families it was of the chronic form. Both forms show autosomal recessive transmission.

Age Factors