Child Neurodisability

Dear Colleagues,

Many child-onset chronic health conditions are associated with functional limitations (traditionally referred to as “disabilities”). Some authors use the term neurodisability to refer to “a group of congenital or acquired long-term conditions that are attributed to impairment of the brain and/or neuromuscular system that create functional limitations, including difficulties with movement, cognition, hearing and vision, communication, emotion, and behavior”. 

Historically, this population has been variably referred to as children with neurodevelopmental disorders or with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with these two terms often used interchangeably. However, it is important to differentiate the terms “disability” and “disorder”. Children with neurological pathologies imply a deep knowledge of the disease, related disorders, and possible complications with multidisciplinary management. Furthermore, neurodisability in children negatively impacts the family by lowering their quality of life.

The goal of this Special Issue of Children is to describe the early identification of neurological diseases for a precocious and targeted therapeutic intervention, for adequate management, and, finally, for a better outcome and better life quality in family members. Usually, it is assumed that in the pediatric age, brain plasticity is maximum, resulting in a better prognosis; however, the possibility of reducing the severity of symptomatic expression and functional relapses is not always as strong as expected. Increased knowledge of the biological basis and pathogenetic mechanisms of neurogenetic and neurometabolic diseases has led to an increase in clinical areas in which there are real possibilities to favorably affect early diagnosis, treatment, and sometimes even prevention of neurological disorders: already in some rare and multisystemic diseases, targeted and personalized therapies are able to modify the path of the disease itself and thus prevent severe secondary neurodisabilities. Today, evidence is being issued of the efficacy of targeted interventions in asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic children that appear to prevent or modify the trajectories of potential development of neurodisability.

 

Prof. Raffaele Falsaperla
Prof. Martino Ruggieri
Dr. Silvia Marino
Guest Editors

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