Children with Down syndrome (DS) present with delays in motor development. The reduced size of the cerebrum, brain maturation disorders, and pathophysiological processes lead to motor development delay. The aim of this study was to examine the gross motor function and estimate what motor abilities are significantly delayed in children with Down syndrome even if they attend physical therapy sessions. Another purpose of the study was to assess the functional balance. The study group consisted of 79 children with DS (42 boys, 37 girls), average age 6 years and 3 months ± 4 years and 6 months. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to (i) age: 6 years old; and (ii) motor impairment scale: mild (SNR 1), moderate (SNR 2), and severe (SNR 3). Children were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). None of the assessed children developed all the functions included in GMFM-88. The standing position was achieved at the specified age by 10% of children in the first age group (<3 years old) and 95% of children aged 3-6 years. Similarly, the walking ability was performed by 10% of children under 3 years old and by 95% of children aged 3-6 years. The median score of PBS was 50 points (min. 34 p. - max. 56 p.). There was a statistically significant correlation between PBS scores and GMFM-88 scores, r=0.7; p<0.0001, and between balance scores and GMFM - 88 E (walking, running, jumping) (r=0.64; p<0.0001). Motor development, especially standing position and walking ability, is delayed in children with Down syndrome. Balance and motor functions are correlated with each other, so both aspects of development should be consider together in physical therapy of children with Down syndrome.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurodevelopmental disorders and alterations in immune function and cytokine levels. The aim of this study is to determine the salivary levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Regulated on Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES), and Eotaxin in children with ASD and in healthy controlsto assess their predictive potential. We explored correlations between the cytokine levels and the neurodevelopmental disorders related to ASD. The study comprised 19 children with ASD and 19 typically developing (TD) ones. We analyzed salivary levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, MCP-1, RANTES, and eotaxin on Luminex with custom-designed 7-plex kits. The level of RANTES in ASD children was significantly lower than those of TD. In TDs, the salivary levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, and TNFα correlated positively with age. In ASD, the cytokine levels did not correlate with age. There were statistically significant differences between the RANTES level and aggression and gait disturbances, between IL-8 level and fixations/stimulations, and between IL-1β level and no active speech. The levels of the cytokine detected can manifest both systemic and local changes related to ASD. The cytokine pattern cannot be used as a sole ASD predictor, but the salivary levels may be helpful in categorizing the ASD subtype.

Introduction: Clinical symptoms of rheumatic diseases can cause changes in the level of skin tactile sensitivity. Aim : To determine the tactile threshold of the hands in female patients with rheumatic diseases. It also attempted to determine correlations between rheumatic patients’...

Physical manifestations of Turner syndrome include short stature, a webbed neck, and a shield chest with widely spaced nipples. An aspect of the disease which has not been sufficiently explored so far is the tactile sensitivity of Turner syndrome patients. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the threshold of tactile sensitivity on hands and feet of women suffering from Turner syndrome. Information on the participants of the study was collected on the basis of questionnaires, as well as anthropometric measurements using a skinfold caliper. Semmes-Weinstein Aesthesiometer was used to find the tactile sensitivity threshold of hands and feet of study participants. Based on the results of the study, significant differences in tactile sensitivity between women with Turner syndrome and healthy women were found. Affected women seem be more sensitive to the touch on the feet than healthy volunteers. The results of the study showed that the tactile sensitivity of women with Turner syndrome is different from that of healthy women.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory immune-dependent systemic connective tissue disease leading to joint destruction and organ complications. Recent years have seen a strong interest in manual therapy and its possible use in patients with pain and limited joint mobility. This prompted us to evaluate the effectiveness of joint mobilization in a patient with RA. The present paper assesses the effects of a joint mobilization technique on pain and functionality of the hand and wrist in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.