Drug therapy of squint in Down syndrome subjects. Results according to the length of drug taking: Report on 125 cases

125 Down syndrome Ss (F - 63 and M = 62; average age at first consultation = 76.57 ± 5.52 months, range 5 - 271 months; cytodiagnosis distribution: 93.60% pure trisomy 21; 4.00% mosiacisms; 2.40% translocations) affected by various degrees of squint were assessed after different periods of drug therapy. Although the prescription has been individualized, all the Ss took, among the other drugs, l-glutamine 90-250 mg; pytidoxine 125-150 mg; biotin 5 mg; diazepam 1-3 mg (dialy doses). At T0 the squint distribution was as follows: slight: 33 Ss; moderate: 10 Ss; marked: 74 Ss; severe: 8 Ss. At Tn (final assessments made since up to 6 to up to 120 months of drug therapy) the distribution found was: disapperance: 43 Ss; present only following antibiotic therapies for respiratory infections: 28 Ss; present when the S is tired: 26 Ss; slight: 13 Ss; moderate: 3 Ss; marked: 12 Ss; severe: 1 Ss (Chi Square: 158.60; p (.00025, 6 df). Possible explanations of the drugs action and choice are suggested.

Childhood psychoses: Results of drug treatment on the social behaviour of Down and non-Down subjects

Compared the results of individualized drug therapy (duration 3-94 mo) on social isolation, personal relationships, and social play in 36 psychotic Down syndrome (DS) children (mean age at 1st consultation 5 yrs 10 mo) and 29 psychotic non-DS children (mean age at 1st consultation 6 yrs 10 mo). Results show a relationship between the duration of drug therapy and (1) a reduction in social isolation and (2) an improvement in personal relationships and social play in both groups. It is suggested that slower improvements in the DS group reflect a stronger presence of cognitive deficits.

Childhood psychoses: Results of drug treatment on the school achievement of Down and non-Down subjects

Compared the scholastic achievement (reading, writing, and arithmetic performance) of 36 psychotic Down syndrome (DS) children (mean age at 1st consultation 5 yrs 10 mo) and 29 psychotic non-DS children (mean age at 1st consultation 6 yrs 10 mo) after 3-94 mo of drug therapy. Improvement in classroom behavior and an increase in learning capacity were directly related to the duration of drug therapy and followed the same sequence as that of normal children entering elementary school. Scholastic achievement was slower and less frequent in the DS compared to the non-DS Ss.

Functional diagnosis of learning disability in severe brain injury

Studied the functional levels of Ss with severe brain injury using the functional diagnosis method of D. Janes (1984), and evaluated the use of the diagnosis system to evaluate rehabilitation follow-up. Human Ss: 10 male and female Italian adolescents and adults (aged 16-31 yrs) (cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, or tuberculus sclerosis). Ss were evaluated for sphincter control, feeding behavior, personal hygiene, space orientation, displacement autonomy, communication, socialization, and mood.

Childhood psychoses: Results of drug treatment on stereotyping behaviours in Down and non-Down subjects

Compared the effects of individualized drug therapy of 3-206 mo on stereotyping behaviors among 37 psychotic Down (PD) children (mean age 6 yrs) and 30 psychotic non-Down (PND) children (mean age 6.11 yrs). Drug therapy, when maintained, produced results in all Ss, though total erasure of stereotypies was not always attained. Stereotypies showed a trend to improve in proportion to the duration of drug therapy. Results of therapy for PD Ss proved significant in the areas of rocking, head banging, flapping tremor, and finger movement. In PND Ss significance was only achieved in flapping tremor and finger movements. Improvement rate was slower in PD Ss.

Childhood psychoses: Results of drug treatment on language development in Down and non-Down subjects

Compared the effects of individualized drug therapy of 3-206 mo on language development among 37 psychotic Down (PD) children (mean age 6 yrs) and 30 psychotic non-Down (PND) children (mean age 6.11 yrs). Drug therapy did not produce results in all Ss, and neither was the total erasure of echolalia always achieved. Ss showed a tendency to improve in proportion to the duration of drug therapy. Results of therapy for PD Ss proved significant in the areas of execution of simple and double commands and the use of new words. In PND Ss significance was only achieved in execution of single and double commands. PD Ss showed less overall improvement and tended to improve at a slower rate.

Postscholastic learning in Ss enrolled in individualized programs at a special facility for the mentally handicapped

Discusses the management of a special facility for mentally handicapped people in Citta di Castello and the results of 6 yrs of experience there. The significant improvement of 3 adult clients (2 females and 1 male, aged 21-25 yrs) with psychosis and Down's syndrome after a summer vacation there are described.

Drug treatment of childhood psychoses: History of 2 subjects who overcame the psychotic state

Presents the clinical histories of 2 psychotic Ss who overcame the psychotic state following long-term pharmacotherapy. A female with early-onset pervasive developmental disorder, aged 4.5 yrs at 1st consultation, was treated for 7 yrs 4 mo. A female with late-onset pervasive developmental disorder in Down's syndrome, aged 16 yrs at 1st consultation, was treated for 3 yrs 2 mo. In both cases, drug treatment was aimed at modulating stress responses.

On Difficulties of Equilibrium Control in Down Children (A Preliminary Note)

The possible reasons of frequent troubles of the equilibrium in the Down child were examined. They were primarily suggested in a cerebellar dysfunction, also responsible of the hypotonicity; In a specific vestibular dysfunction, which shows itself even with the increased nystagmus presence; In a dysfunction of nuclei areas of eyes motor muscles, to which one can refer the high incidence of convergent not refractive squint, these subjects suffer from.