With increasing numbers of children being diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) attention has been drawn to these children's physical health. We aimed to identify the prevalence of defined physical problems (epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cancer, diabetes, psoriasis, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, diarrhea, constipation, daytime enuresis, encopresis) in a nationwide population of 9-and 12-year-old twins subdivided into those with and without indications of NDDs. Parents of 28,058 twins participated in a well-validated telephone interview regarding their children's mental health and answered questions about their physical problems. The results indicate a high rate of physical problems in children with NDDs, particularly in those with indications of the presence of combinations of several NDDs.

Background and Purpose: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD-like behaviours.Experimental Approach: C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mgÁkg À1 ) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3, neuroligin-1, and cell-adhesion molecule nectin-1, were analysed at P12 and P45.

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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD-like behavior. C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1mg/kg) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behavior was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex-vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3, neuroligin-1, and cell-adhesion molecule nectin-1 were analyzed at P12 and P45. Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI-DKI and overgrowth in hippocampus together with retention of long-thin immature synapses on apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well as reduced expression of trans-synaptic and cell-adhesion molecules. The study provides new insights into sex-dependent mechanisms that may underlie ASD-like behavior in males following PIA. We identify GABAergic interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) are a rare group of genetic disorders of neuromuscular transmission. Some subtypes of CMS can be associated with respiratory and bulbar weakness and these patients may therefore be at high risk of developing a severe disease from COVID-19. We screened 73 patients with genetically confirmed CMS who were attending the UK national referral centre for evidence of previous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 infection and their clinical outcome. Of 73 patients, seven had history of confirmed COVID-19. None of the infected patients developed a severe disease, and there were no signals that CMS alone carries a high risk of severe disease from COVID-19.

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Introduction/Aims The congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders that affect neuromuscular junction transmission. Data on pregnancy outcomes in women with CMS are limited due to their infrequency. In this study we explored pregnancy with CMS in a large cohort of women attending a national specialty clinic in England. Methods All women with CMS who had a documented pregnancy were invited to complete a questionnaire assessing clinical status during pregnancy and postpartum, pregnancy outcomes, fetal outcomes, and medication use during pregnancy. Results Among 16 women with CMS (acetylcholine receptor deficiency [CHRNE], slow channel syndrome [CHRNA1], DOK7, RAPSYN and glycosylation [DPAGT1 and GFPT1]), 27 pregnancies were recorded: 26 single pregnancies and 1 twin pregnancy. Symptom worsening was reported in 63% of pregnancies, but recovery to baseline function was seen in all but one patient. Miscarriage and cesarean section occurred in 31% and 33% of the women, respectively. Over half of the patients continued taking their medication during pregnancy, which included pyridostigmine (n = 10), 3,4‐diaminopyridine (n = 9), ephedrine (n = 3), salbutamol (n = 3), and quinidine (n = 1). No fetal malformations were recorded. Discussion Our results show that clinical worsening during pregnancy was common but rarely persistent. The majority of women with CMS can safely plan pregnancy, but close follow‐up is required from their neurology and obstetric teams. Although we identified no safety concerns, continued medication use should be reviewed on a case‐by‐case basis.