Search

Background: The visual association test (VAT) is a brief learning task based on imagery mnemonics. The test materials consist of six line drawings of pairs of interacting objects or animals--for [...]

The administration of corticosteroids to infants before birth has been shown to be effective in preventing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Animal studies have indicated that corticosteroids can suppress growth and development of the brain, but research with humans has not consistently shown a negative effect on development. Corticosteroids can suppress the immune system, which could result in an increased incidence of infections in children treated with these drugs. A study was conducted with children, ages 10 to 12-years old, comparing those who were treated with the corticosteroid betamethasone with children who did not receive this drug. Parameters evaluating their physical development and medical history were examined. Children who were treated prenatally with betamethasone had a greater number of infections that were not serious if treated; these included lung and general infections that required hospitalization during the first years of life. No other differences between the two groups were seen in growth, lung function, development of sexual characteristics, quality of sleep, or number of physical abnormalities, such as eye abnormalities and cleft palate. It appears that prenatal treatment with corticosteroids to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome does not effect the neurological development of these children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

The administration of corticosteroids to infants before birth has been shown to be effective in preventing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is an acute respiratory disease of newborns which can be fatal. Studies of animals have shown that treatment with corticosteroids can affect psychological development, including learning capabilities and emotional development, and may also impair fine motor development. Corticosteroids have also been shown to suppress the growth of brain cells. However, in humans, serious development and emotional problems have not been documented in children who were treated with corticosteroids. Some studies have shown a temporary delay in the development of psychomotor functions in the first years of life, but the delay is no longer present by the age of three. Other studies in children up to the age of three have not indicated any delay either in development or intellect. Another study has shown that children who were six years old, who were treated with corticosteroids prenatally, had lower scores when tested for general intelligence or abstract thinking. It is possible that the treatment has an effect on abstract thinking which would be apparent when these skills are used later in life. A study was conducted with children aged 10 to 12 years, which compared children who were treated with the corticosteroid betamethasone with children who were not treated. The subjects were tested using psychological and physical parameters such as intellectual and motor development, memory, concentration, learning aptitude, school achievements, and social and emotional behavior. No differences were seen between the two groups. The results indicate that no negative psychological effects are associated with the use of the corticosteroid betamethasone when given prenatally to prevent the development of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abstract Objectives--In a randomised trial to study the efficacy of unilateral pallidotomy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, patients having pallidotomy within 1 month after randomisation were compared with patients [...]