Iranian Journal of Child Neurology最新文献

{"title":"Occupational Priorities in Children with Cerebral Palsy Based on Gross Motor Function and Manual Ability Levels: A Comparison Between Children's and Caregivers' Perspectives.","authors":"Samira Boroumand, Afsoon Hassani Mehraban, Malek Amini, Yahya Salimi, Akram Azad","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.50647","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.50647","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim is to compare the occupational priorities of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) who have mild to moderate motor impairments with those of their caregivers. Additionally, the goal is to explore the connections between these priorities-considering occupation, occupational performance, and satisfaction with performance-and the children's levels of gross motor function and manual ability.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 58 children with CP aged 6-12 years (mean ± SD: 9.2 ± 2.2) and their 58 caregivers (mean ± SD: 38.5 ± 7). Assessments were conducted using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, the Manual Ability Classification System, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, Fisher's exact tests, and multiple linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The top three occupational priorities, in order, were personal care and functional mobility for both children and caregivers, with active recreation for children and school/study-related activities for caregivers. Significant associations were found between children's occupational priorities areas and manual ability (V = 0.43, p < 0.001) and gross motor function level's (V = 0.32, p = 0.016), caregivers' occupational priorities areas and manual ability level's (V = 0.49, p < 0.001), and children's satisfaction with both caregivers' satisfaction (r = 0.416, p = 0.031) and performance (r = 0.413, p = 0.032 (score.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although children with CP, presenting mild to moderate motor impairment, and caregivers shared two top occupational priorities, differences in other priority emphasize the need to consider children's perspectives in interventions. Children's motor function influenced occupational priorities selection, and their satisfaction was more affected by caregivers' perceptions than by their own performance, highlighting the need to raise caregivers' awareness during therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"45-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144634/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hyperventilation-Induced High-Amplitude Rhythmic Slowing and Its Impact on Migraine Frequency in Children: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.","authors":"Mahmoud Mohammadi, Reza Shervin Badv, Zahra Rezaei, Mahmoud Reza Ashrafi, Gholam Reza Zamani, Morteza Heidari, Mahsa Vatanparast, Hosein Eslamiyeh, Najmeh Ahangari, Bita Barazandeh Shirvan, Mehran Beiraghi Toosi","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47514","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The most common primary headache disorder in children is migraine. Some children with hyperventilation (HV) may exhibit hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slowing (HIHARS) in their electroencephalogram (EEG). The study aims to evaluate the correlation between HIHARS and a child's future migraine onset risk.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>The present study evaluated HIHARS during the HV maneuver in children aged 7 to 12 admitted to the Electroencephalography Monitoring Unit for diverse referral reasons. After six years, the researchers assessed Long-term video-EEG monitoring data for migraine disease according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (ICHD-3). The clinical and neurophysiological data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that among children with HIHARS, migraine was higher (P=0.049) after six years. Additionally, 15 children (68.18%) with HIHARS had a family history of migraine, compared to 12 children (40%) without HIHARS, which was significant (P=0.044). Interestingly, no significant difference was observed between patients with seizures and those without (P=0.1), suggesting that seizures do not act as a confounding factor in this study.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This is the first study on the correlation of HIHARS with migraine in children. Patients aged 7 to 12 years old with HIHARS had more susceptibility to migraine headaches. It is suggested that children with HIHARS and a history of migraine in first-degree family members will be more susceptible to developing migraine in life.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"39-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144621/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biotinidase Deficiency in Children: Clinical Outcomes and Neuroimaging Correlations.","authors":"Farrokh Seilanian Toosi, Mohsen Saberifar, Najmeh Ahangari, Narges Hashemi, Mehran Beiraghi Toosi","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47525","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47525","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Biotinidase Deficiency (BTD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the BTD gene, leading to impaired Biotin metabolism and resulting in severe neurological impairments, including seizures and developmental delays. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes.This study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes and neuroimaging findings in pediatric patients diagnosed with BTD, emphasizing the importance of early detection and multidisciplinary management.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>This retrospective review was conducted over seven years, analyzing medical records of five patients diagnosed with BTD based on clinical, radiological, and genetic criteria. Brain MRIs were performed, and genetic analyses confirmed the presence of pathogenic mutations in the BTD gene.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All patients exhibited characteristic clinical symptoms of BTD, including seizures and developmental delays. MRI findings revealed bilateral symmetrical increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images in subcortical white matter. Treatment with Biotin resolved seizures in all cases; however, irreversible complications such as sensorineural hearing loss were noted in three patients. Early initiation of Biotin therapy correlated with better clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to managing BTD, integrating genetic testing, clinical assessments, and neuroimaging. Early diagnosis through newborn screening is vital for improving long-term outcomes in affected children. Future studies should focus on expanding screening initiatives and investigating long-term treatment effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"55-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144617/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of the Persian NDDI-E for Depression Screening in Adolescents with Epilepsy.","authors":"Saba Haghi, Mohammad Barzegar, Hakimeh Hazrati, Mina Baroughi, Khatereh Rezazadeh","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Depression is a prevalent comorbidity among individuals with epilepsy, significantly impacting quality of life and healthcare costs. Despite its high occurrence, depression in epilepsy often remains undiagnosed due to clinical time constraints and the lack of efficient screening tools. The Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting depression in adults with epilepsy. However, its effectiveness in adolescents remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the NDDI-E in screening for depression among adolescents with epilepsy and to identify potential risk factors associated with depression in this population.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 consecutively recruited adolescents (aged 12-18 years; 71 females, 29 males) diagnosed with epilepsy at Zahra Mardani Azari Children's Hospital. Participants completed the Persian NDDI-E, and results were compared to diagnoses obtained via the gold-standard K-SADS-PL interview administered by trained clinicians. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and validity was examined through sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The NDDI-E demonstrated high sensitivity (81.48%) and specificity (95.89%) in detecting depression. Depression prevalence was 25% based on NDDI-E and 27% based on K-SADS-PL. Cronbach's alpha indicated good internal consistency (α = 0.82). A significant association was found between juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and depression, while other seizure types showed no correlation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Persian NDDI-E proves to be a valid and reliable screening tool for depression in adolescents with epilepsy, facilitating early detection and intervention in busy clinical settings. Routine screening is recommended to improve patient outcomes, though larger multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"21-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144633/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Disease Severity of Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Maryam Shoaran, Pouya Golshaniniya, Amirhosein Dadashzadeh Asl, Shahram Sadeghvand, Mahsa Valizadeh, Ali Akbari","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.51043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.51043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Autism Sspectrum Disorder (ASD) is a kind of neurodevelopmental disease characterized by difficulties in social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, movement limitations, and repetitive movement patterns. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of a Gluten-Free Diet (GFD) on gastrointestinal (GI) and neurological symptoms in patients diagnosed with autism.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>In this study, 120 patients with autism from Tabriz Children's Hospital and Sheikh Al-Rais Clinic were included. Neurologists and psychologists confirmed the diagnosis of autism using the M-CHAT-R/F questionnaire. Based on the patients' clinical history and Rome 3 criteria, GI symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort were detected. A Gluten Free Diet was advised, and the parents received nutrition education and ongoing autism therapies. The control group consisted of children who received specialized medications for autism while maintaining a regular diet. These children were monitored closely.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average age of the patients was 9.27 ± 3.25 years with a median of nine years. Fifty-two patients (47.3%) were boys, and fifty-eight patients (52.7%) were girls. The severity of ASD, as measured by the M-CHAT-R/F scale, was significantly reduced at the 12th month in the intervention group. Furthermore, significant improvements in speech, cognition, and behavior have been observed in patients in the intervention group after using a GFD. Moreover, GI symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and discomfort, were significantly decreased in the intervention group. However, the GI symptoms in the control group did not show any statistically significant difference compared to the 12th month.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to the results obtained in this study, the administration of GFD in children with ASD can significantly lead to the improvement of GI disorders and neurological symptoms regarding the severity of autism in speech, cognition, and behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"29-38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144620/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Worldwide Prevalence of Poor Sleep Quality in Adolescents Aged 10-19 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Setareh Jani, Abdolrahman Parhiz, Arezoo Aminzadeh, Keyhan Javanmardi, Fatemeh Jafarinezhad","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47947","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.47947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Studies show significant variability in adolescent sleep quality prevalence, likely due to differing definitions of adolescence and the use of various assessment questionnaires. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched until October 2, 2024. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. The random effects model was employed to compute the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study analyzed 28 cross-sectional studies involving 191,408 adolescents aged 10-19 , with a male proportion of 46.23%. The quality of the records was moderate (n = 9) and good (n = 19). The pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality was 37% (95% CI: 30-45%) with significant heterogeneity between the studies (I² = 99.70%, <i>P</i> _{heterogeneity} < 0.001). The subgroup analysis indicated that geographic location was a significant source of heterogeneity (p < 0.001), with a lower prevalence of poor sleep quality observed in Asia (30%; 95% CI = 23%-38%) when compared to other regions. No significant differences were observed in the impact of other factors, including gender, development level, sample size, survey time, PSQI cut-off, response rate, and quality score, on the overall heterogeneity of the analyzed data.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present study is a first for providing a comprehensive overview of the problem of poor sleep quality among adolescents, with a large sample size and consistent definitions and measurements.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144623/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Rare Intradural Extramedullary Neurenteric Cyst in the Cervical Spine.","authors":"Mohammad Ali Abouei Mehrizi, Narges Hashemi, Mehran Sedaghat, Neshat Najaf Najafi, Azin Eshaghzade","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.49293","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.49293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neurenteric cysts (NCs), also known as endodermal cysts, are rare congenital lesions of endodermal origin. They were thought to originate from a failure of dissolution of the neurenteric canal between the notochord and endoderm during the third week of embryogenesis. The primary clinical symptoms differ from focal pain to paresthesia and weakness based on the cyst's location. This study presents a case of intradural extramedullary NC of the spine at the cervical level. A 10-year-old boy was referred to the hospital, with neck pain and weakness in his left hand. Imaging studies revealed fusion of cervical vertebrae at the levels of C3-C4 and C5-C6. On MRI, a cystic lesion in the intradural extramedullary region compressing the cord was evident. As the preferred treatment option, surgical total resection was completed through the posterior approach, and the definitive diagnosis was made based on the histochemical analysis. NC is a rare lesion and should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis. Surgical intervention, particularly total resection, frequently improves the sensory and motor deficits associated with NC and is the treatment of choice.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"61-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144618/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined Effects of Low-Dose Kanamycin and Noise Exposure on Auditory Brainstem Response and Cochlear Microphonic Potential in Guinea Pigs.","authors":"Mahbobeh Oroei, Mehdi Akbari, Morteza Zarrabi","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.50974","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v20i2.50974","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Aminoglycoside‑induced ototoxicity is a well‑recognized adverse effect that commonly presents as sensorineural hearing loss. This study investigated hearing damage by administering two doses of Kanamycin, with or without concurrent noise exposure. Auditory function was assessed using auditory brainstem response and cochlear microphonic potential.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>Guinea pigs were divided into six groups: Control, Noise exposure, Kanamycin 300 mg/kg alone (low dose), Kanamycin 300 mg/kg + Noise, Kanamycin 500 mg/kg alone (high dose), and Kanamycin 500 mg/kg + Noise. Auditory threshold shifts were evaluated using click and pure tones at 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 kHz. The cochlear microphonic amplitude was measured before and after intervention in the study groups. The latency and amplitude of waves I and III were analyzed in the groups without sensorineural hearing loss.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Auditory threshold shifts were significantly greater in the low-dose Kanamycin + noise group compared to both the low-dose Kanamycin alone and the noise-only groups across all stimuli (p < 0.05). In contrast, the high-dose Kanamycin alone and the high-dose Kanamycin + noise groups exhibited similar thresholds. They demonstrated significantly higher thresholds than the noise-only group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference in the cochlear microphonic amplitude was found among the study groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Kanamycin at low doses is not inherently ototoxic; however, when combined with noise exposure, it produces a synergistic effect resulting in severe hearing loss. In this model of auditory damage, cochlear microphonic measurements are less informative than auditory brainstem response testing, providing a more reliable assessment of both peripheral and central auditory pathway function.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 2","pages":"13-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144625/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolic-Immune Crosstalk in Pediatric Rheumatology: From Pathogenesis to Precision Therapy.","authors":"Niloofar Shashaani, Vadood Javadi, Khosro Rahmani, Mohammad Reza Alaei, Reza Shiari","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i1.50763","DOIUrl":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i1.50763","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The immune system and metabolic pathways are strongly interconnected, influencing each other in both physiological and pathological contexts. Nutrient signaling and cellular energy levels significantly impact immune system function, from activation to differentiation and survival. In children, where both the immune and metabolic systems are still developing, disturbances in this balance can markedly influence disease manifestation and treatment response. Recent advances in immunometabolism have revealed that metabolic dysfunction is not merely a consequence of inflammation but can also serve as a primary driver of immune dysregulation. Accordingly, this review explores how metabolic disturbances may mimic or modify rheumatic diseases, and, conversely, how immune-mediated disorders can disrupt metabolic homeostasis. Understanding this bidirectional relationship provides novel insights into pathogenesis and opens avenues for metabolism-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in pediatric rheumatology.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 1","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12904302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146201614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neurological Symptoms as (Post) Pandemic Burden in Children and Adolescents-Single Tertiary Center Experience from Croatia.","authors":"Tena Trbojević, Ana Kovačević, Monika Kukuruzović, Iva Šeparović, Vanja Bašić Kes, Maša Malenica","doi":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i1.47769","DOIUrl":"10.22037/ijcn.v20i1.47769","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Although COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, the central and peripheral nervous system may be involved. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 infection occur in acute or post-acute stages and may persist as long-lasting symptoms known as \"long-COVID\" or \"post-COVID-19\". This study aimed to investigate the clinical profile, outcomes, and management of neurological manifestations after COVID-19 infection in children.</p><p><strong>Materials & methods: </strong>A retrospective chart review was conducted of all pediatric patients admitted to our tertiary pediatric center with neurological symptoms following COVID-19, meeting criteria for long COVID-19/post-COVID-19, from December 2020 through the end of 2021, with a one-year follow-up period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty-four patients were included (median age 12.7 years; range, 0.5-18 years). Girls were more affected than the boys (female n = 51; 60.7%, χ2 = 3, 86; p = 0,049). The most common neurological manifestation were headache (n = 47; 55.95%), dizziness (n = 19; 22.6%), visual disturbances (n = 9; 10.7%), afebrile seizures (n = 6; 7.1%), and anosmia/hyposmia (n = 4; 4.7%). Overall, 19 (22.6%) patients required psychological support, of whom 4 (4.8%) patients required psychiatric consultation due to suspected mental disorder. The most significant number of patients with neurological symptoms after COVID-19 was observed between October 2020 and March 2021 (n=44, 52.4%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The obtained findings align with the results from similar studies and show that neurological manifestations after COVID-19 infection appear more frequently in school-aged children, predominantly in female patients. Neurological post-COVID-19 symptoms require medical attention to exclude more severe conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":14537,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Child Neurology","volume":"20 1","pages":"63-69"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12904299/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146201641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}