Normal Male Children Research Articles

Molecular profiling of the hippocampus of children with autism spectrum disorder

Several lines of evidence point to a key role of the hippocampus in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Altered hippocampal volume and deficits in memory for person and emotion related stimuli have been reported, along with enhanced ability for declarative memories. Mouse models have demonstrated a critical role of the hippocampus in social memory dysfunction, associated with ASD, together with decreased synaptic plasticity. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), a family of extracellular matrix molecules, represent a potential key link between neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and immune system signaling. There is a lack of information regarding the molecular pathology of the hippocampus in ASD. We conducted RNAseq profiling on postmortem human brain samples containing the hippocampus from male children with ASD (n = 7) and normal male children (3–14 yrs old), (n = 6) from the NIH NeuroBioBank. Gene expression profiling analysis implicated molecular pathways involved in extracellular matrix organization, neurodevelopment, synaptic regulation, and immune system signaling. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to confirm several of the top markers identified. The CSPG protein BCAN was examined with multiplex immunofluorescence to analyze cell-type specific expression of BCAN and astrocyte morphology. We observed decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD95 (p < 0.02) and SYN1 (p < 0.02), increased expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protease MMP9 (p < 0.03), and decreased expression of MEF2C (p < 0.03). We also observed increased BCAN expression with astrocytes in children with ASD, together with altered astrocyte morphology. Our results point to alterations in immune system signaling, glia cell differentiation, and synaptic signaling in the hippocampus of children with ASD, together with alterations in extracellular matrix molecules. Furthermore, our results demonstrate altered expression of genes implicated in genetic studies of ASD including SYN1 and MEF2C.

Can we preserve the necrotic testis caused by incarcerated inguinal hernia in infants under 3months?

This study aims to investigate whether necrotic testis resulting from incarcerated inguinal hernias can be preserved in infants under 3months old. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data collected from infants under 3months old who had necrotic testis caused by incarcerated inguinal hernias between 2016 and 2020. They were divided into two groups: the orchiectomy group and the testicular preservation group. The control group consisted of normal male children of the same age. Data regarding bilateral testicular volume, dihydrotestosterone, inhibin B, and antisperm antibodies were collected. The study included 42 cases, with 18 patients being followed up for 6-54months after the operation. In the testicular preservation group, 2 children did not experience testicular atrophy. There was no significant difference in the volume of the contralateral testes between the testicular preservation group and the control group; however, both groups had smaller testicular volumes compared to the orchiectomy group. There was no significant difference in the levels of inhibin B between the testicular preservation group and the orchiectomy group, although both were lower than the control group. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in the levels of dihydrotestosterone and the positivity rate of antisperm antibodies among the three groups. Preserving the necrotic testis may allow it to survive without impacting the contralateral testis. Therefore, a more conservative approach should be considered for orchiectomy when dealing with testicular necrosis caused by incarcerated inguinal hernias in infants.

Feasibility of Anterior Fixation with Single Screw for Odontoid Fractures in Pediatrics: A Computed Tomographic Study.

Although it is an effective fixation technique for an unstable odontoid, anterior fixation remains challenging in pediatric populations. Our study measures the anatomical parameters of the odontoid to identify the feasibility of anterior fixation with a single screw for children. We retrospectively collected data from 112 normal male and female children (aged between 2 and 18) in our institute from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Subjects were divided into a youth group (2-6 years old), a juvenile group (7-12 years old), and an adolescent group (13-18 years old). Sagittal and coronal computed tomography images of the upper cervical spine were used to measure the screw length, angle, and inner and outer diameters of the odontoid. One-way analysis of variance with the Tukey test was used to analyze the parameters among the groups, while the t-test was used to analyze gender differences. Correlations between parameters and age were assessed using Pearson's test. There were significant differences between male and female subjects in screw length and inner and outer diameters (of both sagittal and coronal views) but not in screw angle. The narrowest diameter of the odontoid was 4.0 ± 1.5 mm in the youth group, 5.5 ± 1.5 mm in the juvenile group, and 5.6 ± 1.1 mm in the adolescent group, respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups in screw length (p < 0.0001). The screw angle of the adolescent group was significantly smaller than that of the youth and juvenile groups. More than 90% of children aged 7-18 years old had an odontoid diameter greater than 4 mm, while only half of the youth group had an odontoid with diameter >4 mm. Screw length and inner and outer diameters in lateral view were positively correlated with age, and screw angle was negatively correlated with age. It is feasible to insert a standard single screw (Φ 3.5 mm) into the odontoid of children aged 7-18 years old but not those aged 2-6 years old. How the anatomical parameters of the odontoid change with age, especially the narrowest diameters, is worthy of attention.

Preliminary Reference Interval for 5-Alpha Reductase in Normal Male Children and Its Association with Hypospadias.

5-alpha reductase (5-AR) enzyme is responsible for conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in humans, which subserves various functions. The aim of the study was to establish a normal reference interval (RI) for blood levels of the enzyme 5-AR. We conducted a prospective study on 150 boys, 75 of whom underwent circumcision for various benign conditions or for religious reasons (Group A/controls) and 75 suffering from hypospadias of variable severity (Group B/cases). The plasma levels of 5-AR were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all 150 boys and correlated with the severity of hypospadias. The 5-AR levels in Group A ranged from 14.6 to 17.3 ng/mL. The enzyme levels decreased in value with increasing severity of hypospadias in Group B (P-value &lt;0.01 - statistically significant). The levels of the enzyme in this group ranged from 0.6 ng/mL (in the most severe variety of hypospadias) to 11.5 ng/mL (mild variety of hypospadias). There is no record of RI values of 5-AR in the literature. The RI of 5-AR needs to be determined by conducting more studies globally. Its levels falls considerably with clinical severity of hypospadias, reinforcing the importance of the enzyme in the development of male external genitalia.

Omparing Certain Time Representation Features In High-functioning Autistic Children with Normal Children’s Narrative Discourse

Background and Aims: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting the individual’s cognitive and language skills. Since human social life is highly dependent on cognitive and linguistic abilities, these abilities are essential factors in human growth and development. The production and perception of narrative discourse at a language level require the utilization of cognitive and linguistic abilities. Considering the fact that the timeline and the way it is expressed is one of the main components of narrative formation, the topic of time can be challenging in the narrative discourse for children with autism. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate and assess the representation of some features of time, such as perfective and imperfective aspects and grounding, including foreground and background in the narrative discourse of children with high-functioning autism. Methods: In the current research, the representation of grounding in narrative discourse aspects of Persian-speaking children with high-functioning autism disorder (HFAD) and normal children were studied, compliant with classifications by Hickman et al. To this end, 20 male children with high-functioning autism disorder (chronological age: 7-11) and 20 normal male children (chronological age: 7-11) participated in this study. Narratives were elicited based on “Horse” and “Cat” picture stories provided by Hickman. Pursuant to studying and describing the collected data, they were thereafter analyzed via the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results: The findings pointed out that there was a significant difference between HFAD and normal children in the representation of perfective aspect and grounding (P=0.05). Children with HFAD had a weaker representation compared to normal children. Similarly, the children with HFAD had a more anemic performance in representing perfective aspect and foreground as the core data in producing narrative, whereas children with HFAD produced more marginal data and background compared to normal children. Conclusion Consistent with the findings, it appears that poor performance by children with HFAD in comparison with normal children in the representation of certain features of time, such as aspect and grounding in narrative discourse can be related to their cognitive and linguistic weaknesses.

Urethral Meatus and Glanular Closure Line: Normal Biometrics and Clinical Significance.

103 male children were asked to participate in the study during ritual circumcision. Par-ents of 94 of them (mean age 5.9 years, range 0.6-13) accepted while remaining 9 did not. Glans biometrics were measured using digital calipers. 100% of the study participants had a vertical slit-like meatal opening located at the tip of the glans. The length of the meatal opening was 5.3 (± 1) mm and of ventral glans closure was 4.8 (±1.1) mm. Significant cor-relation between both the external meatal opening and closure lines lengths and age was observed. Moreover, the meatal opening size was correlated to the glans closure line as well (r = 0.36, confidence interval 0.14-0.54, P < .001). The site and size of the meatus opening in normal male children is consistent, and ventral glans clo-sure is equal to or slightly less than meatal length. These findings could aid in glanular reconstruction configuration during hypospadias surgery.

Abstract MP30: Longitudinal Tracking of Obesity From Childhood and Adolescence Into Adulthood: The International Childhood Cardiovascular Cohort (i3C) Consortium

Obesity in childhood and adolescence tracks into adulthood. However, limited longitudinal data exist on variation in tracking in relation to pediatric development periods, race, and gender. The study objective was to relate adult (age&gt;30) weight status to that in childhood (3-11, mean 8.5 yrs; adult 36.6 yrs; N=4,511) and adolescence (12-17, mean 14 yrs; adult 39.9 yrs; N=7,215) from seven i3C cohorts. Overall tracking of BMI into adulthood was highly significant (p&lt;0.0001) and similar from childhood and adolescence. Almost all obese children (74.3%) and adolescents (81.6%) became obese adults, and few obese children (6.5%) or adolescents (4.2%) became normal-weight adults. Overweight children and adolescents also were more likely to become obese adults (60.7% and 65.2%, respectively), and few became normal weight (11.7% and 6.6%). Normal weight children and adolescents tended to remain normal weight into adulthood (43% and 40.3%), but 22.7% of both normal-weight children and adolescents became obese. Patterns differed by race and gender (both p&lt;0.001). Obese adolescent females had the highest persistence of obesity in adulthood (84.2%), followed by obese adolescent males (79.3%), obese male children (78.1%) and obese female children (70.6%). Normal weight male and female children and adolescents had a similar low prevalence of obesity as adults (22-23%), but females were more likely than males to remain normal weight from childhood (51.2% and 33.1%) and adolescence (48.7% and 30.6%). Tracking by race (see Table) showed that blacks had greater risk of adult obesity regardless of childhood or adolescent weight category. The results show that: 1) almost all obese and most overweight children and adolescents became obese adults; 2) one-fifth of white normal weight children and adolescents became obese adults; 3) even normal weight black children and adolescents are at significant risk of becoming obese adults. These data strongly suggest the need for early intervention to prevent adult obesity-related morbidity.

Comparing Executive Function of Normal Children with ADHD Children

&lt;p&gt;This study was conducted to compare with the executive function of ADHD versus normal male and female children. To obtain this objective, 30 ADHD children referring a private psychological center for the first time who had taken no medication for this disorder, and 30 normal children from one of the schools of District 14 in Tehran were selected randomly who were of the same age and gender of ADHD children. Wisconsin test was used as a measurement tool. Results showed that there is a significant difference between the average scores of the executive function of normal and ADHD children as well as average scores of the executive function of normal boys and ADHD children at the 0.01 level. In addition, there was a significant difference between the average scores of the executive function of normal girls and ADHD girls at the 0.05 level according to which null hypothesis is rejected. Therefore, ADHD children are of lower executive and cognitive function compared to normal children and have extensive cognitive deficits. Therefore, they require medications along with special training and rehabilitation.&lt;/p&gt;

Energy allocation between brain and body during ontogenetic development

We here studied how energy is allocated between brain and body both during the ontogenetic development from a child to an adult and during weight loss. We investigated 180 normal weight female and male children and adolescents (aged 6.1-19.9 years) as well as 35 overweight adolescents undergoing weight reduction intervention. 52 normal weight and 42 obese adult women were used for comparison. We assessed brain mass by magnetic-resonance-imaging and body metabolism by indirect calorimetry. To study how energy is allocated between brain and body, we measured plasma insulin, since insulin fulfils the functions of a glucose allocating hormone, i.e., peripheral glucose uptake depends on insulin, central uptake does not. We used reference data obtained in the field of comparative biology. In a brain-body-plot, we calculated the distance between each subject and a reference mammal of comparable size and named the distance "encephalic measure." With higher encephalic measures, more energy is allocated to the brain. We found that ontogenetic development from a child to an adult was indicated by decreasing encephalic measures in females (r = -0.729, P < 0.001) and increasing plasma insulin concentrations (F = 6.6, P = 0.002 in females and F = 8.6, P < 0.001 in males). Weight loss of about 5 kg in females and about 9 kg in males resulted in reduced insulin concentrations and increased encephalic measures. Our results indicate that the share of energy allocated to the brain increased with weight loss, but decreased during the ontogenetic development from childhood to adolescence. These developmental changes in brain-to-body energy allocation appear to be driven by increasing plasma insulin concentrations.

Relación talla sentada/talla de pie del nacimiento a la adultez en niños españoles

For the diagnosis of patients with growth disorders, visual inspection and the measurement of body segments may provide important information. The most commonly used method is the assessment of the sitting/standing height (SH/SH) ratio and its comparison to aged matched controls.To establish the normal values of the sitting/standing height ratio in a normal Aragonese population from birth to 18 years old.Longitudinal study from birth to 18 years old. Length (up to 3 years old), standing height (as of 2 years old) and sit-ting height were recorded. Percentiles for sitting/ standing height ratio were determined.The study included 165 male children and 167 female children. The values of the sitting/standing height ratio decrease from birth both in males and females (0.656 and 0.647, respectively) until the onset of puberty (0.514 and 0.519); and later start to slightly increase until reaching the definitive adult ratio (0.52 and 0.53, respectively).Sitting/standing height ratio values are presented in normal male and female children up to 18 years old. This ratio decreases from birth to puberty and then slightly increases until reaching the final adult ratio.

Sitting/standing height ratio in Spanish children from birth to adulthood

Introduction. For the diagnosis of patients with growth disorders, visual inspection and the measurement of body segments may provide important information. The most commonly used method is the assessmentof the sitting/standing height (SH/SH) ratio and its comparison to aged matched controls. Objective. To establish the normal values of the sitting/standing height ratio in a normal Aragonese population from birth to 18 years old. Population and Methods.Longitudinal study from birth to 18 years old. Length (up to 3 years old), standing height (as of 2 years old) and sitting height were recorded. Percentiles for sitting/ standing height ratio were determined. Results. The study included 165 male children and 167 female children. The values of the sitting/standing height ratio decrease from birth both in males and females (0.656 and 0.647, respectively) until the onset of puberty (0.514 and 0.519); and later start to slightly increase until reaching the definitive adult ratio (0.52 and 0.53, respectively). Conclusion. Sitting/standing height ratio values are presented in normal male and female children up to 18 years old. This ratio decreases from birth to puberty and then slightly increases until reaching the final adult ratio.

Uroflowmetry Nomograms for Healthy Children 5 to 15 Years Old

We determined flow rates and generated flow rate-voided volume nomograms based on healthy children 5 to 15 years old voiding spontaneously in their natural environment. A total of 824 healthy school children of both genders were enrolled. A single uroflow record from each child was evaluated. A total of 103 children with a voided volume of less than 50 ml and/or a staccato/interrupted uroflow pattern were excluded, and 721 records were analyzed. Data were evaluated using several mathematical formulas and goodness of fit was determined. Linear regression analysis was used to generate nomograms. Flow rates and voided volumes increased with increasing age, with the effect being more pronounced in girls. No significant difference was noted in uroflow rates from 5 to 10 years, but significant differences (p <0.001) started appearing at 11 to 15 years. Also no significant difference was noted in uroflow rates among children 11 to 15 years. Therefore, 2 age groups were designated, with group 1 consisting of patients 5 to 10 years old and group 2 consisting of patients 11 to 15 years old. There were 222 boys and 122 girls in group 1 and 240 boys and 137 girls in group 2. In group 1 the maximum and average ± SD flow rates were 15.26 ± 4.54 ml per second and 7.68 ± 3.26 ml per second, respectively, for boys and 17.98 ± 6.06 ml per second and 9.19 ± 4.23 ml per second, respectively, for girls. In group 2 these rates were 22.50 ± 7.24 ml per second and 10.78 ± 4.03 ml per second, respectively, for boys and 27.16 ± 9.37 ml per second and 13.48 ± 5.21 ml per second, respectively, for girls. This large study, which expands the scant existing literature on uroflow parameters in healthy children, will hopefully promote wider application of uroflowmetry testing in the pediatric population.

Physical growth during adolescence in mentally retarded children

Abstract Background and aims : Growth in children with mental retardation differs from that of normal children, but majority of studies have been performed in western countries and have focused on the early years of life. The purpose of this study therefore was to evaluate the growth pattern of male mentally retarded adolescents from North India and compare it with that of normal male children. Materials and methods : Two hundred institutionalized intellectually disabled (I.Q. less than 70) and two hundred normal male children between 10-20 years of age from North India were selected and the physical growth parameters i.e. height and weight were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated in all subjects. The mentally retarded and normal groups of boys were categorized separately on the basis of their age into one-year age groups. The data was then compared between the two groups using 2 sample't' test. Results : The results indicated that the mean height and weight of mentally retarded boys during adolescence was significantly retarded as compared to normal subjects. However, the intellectually disabled and the normal group do not show any significant difference in their body fat during adolescence. The mean height and weight gain of mentally retarded children during adolescence (11-20 years) however did not vary from that of normal children. Conclusions : Thus, the physical growth retardation in children with intellectual disabilities occurs during early childhood i.e. before 11 years of age.

Physical growth during adolescence in mentally retarded children

Background and aims : Growth in children with mental retardation differs from that of normal children, but majority of studies have been performed in western countries and have focused on the early years of life. The purpose of this study therefore was to evaluate the growth pattern of male mentally retarded adolescents from North India and compare it with that of normal male children. Materials and methods : Two hundred institutionalized intellectually disabled (I.Q. less than 70) and two hundred normal male children between 10- 20 years of age from North India were selected and the physical growth parameters i.e. height and weight were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated in all subjects. The mentally retarded and normal groups of boys were categorized separately on the basis of their age into one-year age groups. The data was then compared between the two groups using 2 sampleti test. Results : The results indicated that the mean height and weight of mentally retarded boys during adolescence was significantly retarded as compared to normal subjects. However, the intellectually disabled and the normal group do not show any significant difference in their body fat during adolescence. The mean height and weight gain of mentally retarded children during adolescence (11-20 years) however did not vary from that of normal children. Conclusions : Thus, the physical growth retardation in children with intellectual disabilities occurs during early childhood i.e. before 11 years of age.

Development and evaluation of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis during growth

The aim of this study was to establish ranges of angular variation in lordotic and kyphotic curves in normal male and female children and adolescents. We developed a pantograph to measure dorsal curves. It consisted of a tripod-supported vertical strut to which an articulated bar was fixed and which had an arm that was able to follow the dorsal surface while moving up and down. This arm was positioned over the C7 spinous process and followed spinous processes to L5 at constant speed. A laser beam was used to ensure the proper positioning of the pantograph and the subject. The motion was recorded using software so that the dorsal outline was represented on a computer screen, and lordotic and kyphotic curves were automatically measured. Before performing the population study, the pantograph was validated in 20 normal subjects by comparing the pantograph measurements with lateral spine radiographs. There were no statistically significant differences in the measurements. There were 718 subjects with no race selection, of whom 350 were males and 368 females ranging in age from 5 to 20 years and presenting normal weight and height. Individuals with generalized ligament laxity, trunk asymmetry, muscle retraction, or any orthopedic anomaly were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed according to age and gender. Student's t tests and regression analysis were performed. Kyphotic curves increased linearly from 25 degrees at 7 years of age to 38 degrees at 19 years of age (kyphotic angle = 25 degrees + 0.58 x age). Lordotic curves increased linearly from 22 degrees at 5 years of age to 32 degrees at 20 years of age (lordotic angle = 24 degrees + 0.51 x age). There were no differences between males and females. The pantograph that was developed for this study was successfully used to establish the normal ranges and progression of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in the studied population. Both curves increased linearly with age, with no differences between males and females.

Tactile sensitivity of normal and autistic children

Many children with autistic spectrum disorders have unusual reactions to certain sensory stimuli. These reactions vary along a hyper- to hypo-responsivity continuum. For example, some children overreact to weak sensory input, but others do not respond negatively to even strong stimuli. It is typically assumed that this deviant responsivity is linked to sensitivity, although the particular stage of sensory processing affected is not known. Psychophysical vibrotactile thresholds of six male children (age: 8–12) who were diagnosed to have autistic spectrum disorders and six normal male children (age: 7–11) were measured by using a two-alternative forced-choice task. The tactile stimuli were sinusoidal displacements and they were applied on the terminal phalanx of the left middle finger of each subject. By using a forward-masking paradigm, 40- and 250-Hz thresholds of the Pacinian tactile channel and 40-Hz threshold of the Non-Pacinian I tactile channel were determined. There was no significant difference between the thresholds of autistic and normal children, and the autistic children had the same detection and masking mechanisms as the normal children. The sensory responsivity of each subject was tested by clinical questionnaires, which showed again no difference between the two subject groups. Furthermore, no significant correlations could be found between the questionnaire data and the psychophysical thresholds. However, there was a high correlation between the data from the tactile and emotional subsets of the questionnaires. These results support the hypothesis that the hyper- and hypo-responsivity to touch, which is sometimes observed in autistic spectrum disorders, is not a perceptual sensory problem, but may probably be emotional in origin.

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, manganese, zinc, and plasma calcium levels in G-6-PD-deficient and normal male children.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency is the most common human enzymopathy in the world. Trace elements are important for normal hematopoiesis and can play a role in acute hemolytic anemia induced by G-6-PD deficiency. For this purpose, we studied two groups consisting of 10 male children who are G-6-PD-deficient and 12 age-matched normal male children to compare plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, manganese, zinc, and plasma calcium levels between G-6-PD-deficient and normal children. All assays were performed under normal conditions free of any oxidative attack that may result in hemolytic crisis in G-6-PD-deficient subjects. All parameters in each group did not differ significantly except for erythrocyte G-6-PD activities. These data show that plasma and erythrocyte trace element contents of G-6-PD-deficient subjects do not differ in normal conditions.

Is Physical Activity Related to Body Size, Fundamental Motor Skills, and CHD Risk Factors in Early Childhood?

The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of physical activity (PA) during a single weekend to ascertain possible relationships between PA and anthropometry, fundamental motor skills, and CHD risk factors among 105 normal male and female children, aged 3–4 years. The children played, when awake, on the average for 14 hr, 16 min indoors and for 5 hr, 12 min outdoors of which low activity playing accounted about 4 hr. Notable gender differences were observed in the intensity of PA but not in fundamental motor skills and CHD risk factors. The results suggest that physical activity is weakly related to fundamental motor skills and CHD risk factors at an early age. The association between PA and body size was modified by gender (p = .024): The girls who played indoors a lot were heavier than the others, and the boys who played much more outdoors were heavier in relation to other boys. The associations between PA and motor skills as well as PA and CHD risk factors were also highly gender-dependent: The boys benefited from interacting with parents, while the girls benefited from independence. The most influential factors seemed to be the amount of playing outdoors, the amount of high level play activities, as well as interaction with parents.

Sistema de evaluación multidimensional de la conducta. Escala para padres de niños de 6 a 11 años, versión Colombiana

Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) has demonstrated to be useful in the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). A randomized sample of 120 children, 6 to 11-year-old, participants from the school of the city of Medellín, Colombia, was selected. The sample was stratified by sex and two socioeconomic status (SES). Parents were asked to answer the BASC Parent Rating Scale (PRS) 6-11, authorized Spanish version. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.85 for the clinical scale (9 items). It was 0.75 for the Adaptive Scale (3 items). A scale designed with 4 items to assess ADD (hyperactivity, attention problems, aggression, and conduct problems) showed an alpha coefficient of 0.82. Male children scored significantly higher than female (ANOVA, p < 0.05) in hyperactivity, conduct problems, and atypicality. Children from low SES scored significantly higher than children of high SES on the most of clinical measures (p < 0.05) and lower on the three adaptive measures. Cluster analysis selecting six clusters found a prevalence of 61.6% for normal male children. In the total sample there were a 4% at risk of DDA type II (inattentive) and 14% at risk of DDA type I (combined). BASC PRS (6-11) showed reliability and validity to assessing the behavior in Spanish speaking Colombian children.

An investigation into selective learning abilities in normal and attentionally disordered children using the Kamin blocking paradigm

Previous research is unclear about the ability of hyperactive subjects to engage in selective processing, although a failure in this system is a feature of the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; American Psychiatric Association, 1987). In the present study selective processing is tested, by means of a Kamin blocking task, in 60 normal and 20 ADHD children. The Kamin blocking effect was observed in both normal and ADHD male children. Female subjects (all of whom were normal children) failed to exhibit the Kamin blocking effect. Reports of incidental learning studies have indicated that hyperactive children process information in a more diffuse manner than controls. The present results indicate normal selective processing in hyperactive children. It is suggested that abnormalities in recall strategies, rather than information processing, may therefore explain incidental learning findings. The lack of blocking in female subjects was not expected, a possible reason for this is discussed, which can be tested by simple alterations to the current blocking task.