SUMMARY A study of the spatial and temporal parameters of gait was performed on 134 normal children, 68 boys and 66 girls, aged between three and 18 years. Normal gait showed a clear asymmetry; gait was considered to be abnormally asymmetrical if differences between left and right measurements exceeded 8 to 10 per cent. In addition, there was a definite bias corirparing left and right sides, which may relate to individual laterality. RÉSUMÉ Paramètres spatiaux et temporaux de la démarche chez I ‘ensant. I: Données des contrǒles normaux Une étude des paramètres spatiaux et temporaux de la demarche a Aeté effectuée chez 134 enfants norrnaux, 68 garcons et 66 filles, ǎgés de trois a 18 ans. La demarche normale révélait une assymétrié nette lasque les parametres droits et gauches étaient comparés; la dAemarche ne peut ětre considérée comme assymetriquement pathologique que si les differences des mesures droites et gauches dépassent 8 à 10 pour cent. De plus, il y a un biais defini dans la comparaison droite/gauche qui peut ěré relié a la latérahti individuelle. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Zeiiliche und räumlictie Paranieter des Gehens bei Kitidern. I: Normale Kontrolldaren Bei 134 gesunden Kindern, 68 Jungen und 66 Mädchen im Alter von drei bis 18 Jahren, wurde eine Ganguntersuchung durchgeführt. Beim Vergleich der linken and rechten Parameter weist der normale Gang eine deutliche Asymrnetrie auf; der Gang kann als abnorm asymmetrisch angesehen werden, wenn die Unterschiede zwischen linken und rechten Messungrn 8 bis 10 Prozent überschreiten. Aunβerdem gibt es eine definierte Neigung beim Vergleich der linken und rechten Seite, die vielleicht mit der individuellen Setesndominanz zusammenhängt. RESUMEN Parámetros temporales y espaciales de la marcha en ninCos. I: Datos normales de control Se realizó un estudio de los parámetros espaciales y temporales de la marcha en 134 ninCos norrnales. 68 varones y 66 hembras, de edad entre tres y 18 años. La marcha normal muestra una Clara asimetria al comparar los parámetro; derechos e izquierdos; la marcha puede ser considerada como asimétricamente anormal si las diferencias entre las mediciones entre la derecha y la izquierda sobrepasan el 8 por ciento. Además hay un sesgo bien definido comparando los lados derecho e izquierdo, lo que puede estar en relacion con la lateralidad individual.

Age-specific norms are necessary to determine potential secondary brain insult after head injury in children. We describe and quantify the secondary physiological derangement recorded in children of different ages following traumatic brain injury, and relate it to outcome at 12 months post-injury. Prospective time-series data (including intracranial pressure, arterial blood pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature and heart rate) downloaded from ICU monitors, were examined to identify abnormal (i.e. outside normal age-specific limits) recordings lasting more than 5 min. Cumulated total duration of derangement was calculated for each parameter and as a percentage of the time that the ICP monitor was in situ. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate predictors of outcome. Age-specificity allows realistic comparisons of physiological data among children. Duration of age-specific derangement of CPP was found to predict outcome (dead v. alive: p = 0.003 and Glasgow Outcome Score 1-3 v. 4-5, i.e. poor v. independent outcome p = 0.004).

An unusual case of cervical spinal cord tethering with diplomyelia is described. A 12‐month old female presented with self‐mutilation of the fingers due to sensory loss in the hands, absent reflexes, poor muscle tone, and reduced distal upper‐limb movements. There was a deep skin dimple overlying the T1 spinous process. Imaging showed angulation of the lower cervical cord and an operation revealed a low cervical meningocele and a split cord malformation with tethering of one half of the cord; the cord was untethered. In this report the literature is reviewed.

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Twenty-five normal newborns aged between 3 and 6 days had their movements recorded by clinical observation in a controlled environment, chart recording from an automatic movement mattress over 4 hours, and cine photography triggered by the movement mattress. Over 80 different individual types of movement were grouped into six categories: progression movements (obligatory reciprocal movements), symmetrical movements (slower flexion or extension movements), startle movements, asymmetrical tonic neck reflex and 'Moro', facial movements and athetoid movements. The normal newborn's motor activity is significantly related to the level of arousal, gestational age, and environmental variables such as position, temperature, light and noise.

An unusual case of cervical spinal cord tethering with diplomyelia is described. A 12-month old female presented with self-mutilation of the fingers due to sensory loss in the hands, absent reflexes, poor muscle tone, and reduced distal upper-limb movements. There was a deep skin dimple overlying the T1 spinous process. Imaging showed angulation of the lower cervical cord and an operation revealed a low cervical meningocele and a split cord malformation with tethering of one half of the cord; the cord was untethered. In this report the literature is reviewed.

Making the diagnosis of non‐accidental head injury, particularly in the acute illness, can be difficult. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the acute presentation of non‐accidental head injury. Twelve cases admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh with a diagnosis of non‐accidental head injury, and who had magnetic resonance imaging in the acute illness, were identified. The average age was 5.7 mo (range 1 to 34 mo). The mechanism of the primary injury was whiplash‐shaking injury syndrome with impact in four cases and without evidence of impact in seven; in one case there was a compression injury. The magnetic resonance imaging findings reflected the pathological consequences of rotational acceleration‐deceleration injury and did not differ between those cases with evidence of impact and those without. Subdural haematomas were identified in all cases; the commonest location for subdural blood was the subtemporal region. It is surprising and important that the most frequent location of subdural blood was in the subtemporal area. This is an area difficult to assess by computerized tomography. Evidence of repeated injuries was found in two cases. These findings confirm the value of magnetic resonance imaging in the acute phase of non‐accidental head injury. □Child abuse, magnetic resonance imaging, non‐accidental head injury, whiplash shaking injury