Cognitive and Behavioral Abnormalities of Pediatric Diseases

This book provides a detailed account of intellectual, other neuropsychological and behavioral manifestations of general pediatric diseases. The conditions discussed include the whole range of pediatric diseases - genetic syndromes, other congenital conditions, metabolic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, infectious, immunologic, toxic, trauma, and neoplastic, as well as sensory disabilities including deafness and blindness. Although the book is not intended to discuss cognitive and behavioral manifestations of conditions usually considered to be primary neurological disease, some of those, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and epilepsy, are included. Where possible, a "translational" approach is used, linking the behavioral and cognitive manifestations of these conditions, to the underlying structural, chemical or genetic abnormalities and their effect on the brain, and, in turn, on behavior and cognition. At the same time, included are significant psychosocial factors. Together, those factors have a major effect on patients' performance, including school performance, and on their families. This book is unique in its extensive coverage of the major pediatric conditions and of the detailed neurological, neuropsychological and behavioral aspects of each condition.

Dr Nass is a pediatric neurologist with a particular interest in behavioral neurology. She has an active clinical practice where she sees child with autism, ADHD and other neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as children with migraines and other neurological disorders. Her research interests currently focus on the development of hemispheric specialization and aspects of autism, particularly the relationship with seizures, neurological disorders like tuberous sclerosis, and stereotypy patterns and their relationship to Tourettes.
Dr Frank is a pediatric Neurologist with clinical and teaching reponsibilities at Mount Sinai Medical School, in New York. His clinical practice includes in-patient hospital consultations, and outpatient faculty practice at Mount Sinai Medical Center. His teaching responsibilities include teaching of medical students, pediatric and neurology residents at the medical school. In addition he has a specific interest in pediatric behavioral neurology, including Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Autism. His current research interest is in the behavioral aspects of Learning Disabilities.