• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.251-257
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• 2016

The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) was balance measurement equipment for school-age children with mild to moderate motor impairments. The aims of this study are to examine the correlation between PBS and spatiotemporal gait parameter and to identify the walking function with cerebral palsy through balance scale. The PBS consists of 14 items such as sitting of standing, standing to sitting, transfers, standing unsupported, standing on one foot, turning 360 degrees, turing to look behind, etc., and the spatiotemporal parameters include walking speed, stride length, step length, step width, cadence, double-limb support. All subjects were independently ambulatory children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, and they were assessed on PBS and spatiotemporal gait parameters by an experienced pediatric physical therapist. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between PBS and spatiotemporal gait parameters, and the level of significance was set at ${\alpha}$ = 0.05. Total score of PBS(r=.49~.58), standing to sitting(r=.48~.60), turning to look behind(r=.47~.53), and pick up object(r=.52~.69) were positively correlated with walking speed, stride length, step length, and cadence. Most items of the PBS were negatively correlated with double-limb support(r=-.48~-.92). These findings suggest that the pediatric balance scale can be applied to estimate gait function level for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.277-281
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• 2011

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a term generally used to describe an infant or child whose current weight or rate of weight gains is significantly below that expected of similar children of the same age, sex and ethnicity. It usually describes infants in whom linear growth and head circumference are either not affected, or are affected to a lesser degree than weight. FTT is a common problem, usually recognized within the first 1-2 years of life, but may present at any time in childhood. Most cases of failure to thrive involve inadequate caloric intake caused by behavioral or psychosocial issues. The most important part of the outpatient evaluation is obtaining an accurate account of a child's eating habits and caloric intake. Routine laboratory testing rarely identifies a cause and is not generally recommended. FTT, its evaluation, and its therapeutic interventions are best approached by a multi-disciplinary team includes a nutritionist, a physical therapist, a psychologist and a gastroenterologist. Long term sequelae involving all areas of growth, behavior and development may be seen in children suffering from FTT. Early detection and early intervention by a multidisciplinary team will minimize its long term disadvantage. Appropriate nutritional counseling and anticipatory guidance at each well child visit may help prevent some cause of FTT.