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Query: UMLS:C0026850 (muscular dystrophy)
 5,870 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

To investigate the diagnostic validity of electromyography in the hypotonic infant, 79 children aged 0 to 12 months, seen over a 20-year period, were studied retrospectively. The diagnoses using clinical, muscle biopsy, and laboratory characteristics were: 25 central hypotonia, 20 spinal muscular atrophy, 20 myopathy, four myotonic dystrophy, four benign congenital hypotonia, two congenital muscular dystrophy, two myasthenia gravis, one infantile inflammatory myopathy, and one arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Using strict criteria, electromyography accurately predicted the final diagnosis in 65% of infants with spinal muscular atrophy and was consistent with the diagnosis in another 25%. In contrast, electromyography accurately predicted the final diagnosis in only 10% of infants with myopathy and was normal in 88% of infants with central hypotonia. In infants with spinal muscular atrophy, there was no difference in the predictive value of electromyography when performed in the newborn compared to older infants. Normal distal nerve conduction velocities in infants with spinal muscular atrophy may predict prognosis, since these infants had a longer survival. Electromyography thus has a high predictive value for infantile spinal muscular atrophy but not for myopathy.
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PMID:Predictive value of electromyography in diagnosis and prognosis of the hypotonic infant. 146 46

Thirty five floppy children seen during two year period, were subjected to clinical examination, electroneuromyography and muscle biopsy. The muscle biopsy was sent for routine histology, histochemistry and electron microscopy. Using muscle pathology as the 'gold standard' for diagnosis, the aetiological entities were spinal muscular atrophy (16), congenital muscular dystrophy (6), mitochondrial myopathy (3), congenital fibre type disproportion (2), acid mutase deficiency (1) and benign congenital hypotonia (6). Mental subnormality, seizures, ptosis and ophthalmoplegia suggested mitochondrial disease (n=2). Macroglossia, hepatomegaly and cardiomegaly along with the dive bomber effect on electromyography were useful clues to the diagnosis of Pompe's disease (n=1). Positive decremental test established the diagnosis of congenital myasthenia in one patient. Contrary to most previously published reports, infantile onset of spinal muscular atrophy did not always spell a poor prognosis on follow up. 'Floppy infant syndrome' has varied etiology. Comprehensive evaluation including clinical, electrophysiological and detailed histological examination is necessary for proper diagnosis and prognosis of this heterogenous entity.
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PMID:Neuromuscular disorders in infancy and childhood. 2951 74