This study is the first to determine a comparative incidence of PS and BECTS. The findings suggest BECTS is eight times more common than PS and that the incidence of PS is lower than previously suggested.

The incremental effects of a cognitive map (CM) and a symbolic code (SC) treatment were evaluated (separately and in combination) relative to a standard modeling treatment (SMT) that generated equivalent demand characteristics. SMT in turn was compared to a no-treatment control condition (NT). In simulated job interviews conducted 3 weeks after treatment," significant gains were attributable to CM on four of six social skills criteria. The SC and combination (CM + SC) treatments produced significant improvement on all dependent variables. Evidence favoring SMT over NT was weak. Cost-benefit implications for the theoretically derived CM and SC treatments are noteworthy. Bandura's (1971) seminal work in observational learning has guided the development of social skills training programs in such diverse areas as assertiveness (e.g.,

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Whooping cough is a notifiable bacterial respiratory infection caused by It may produce serious disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals and very young children. The number of reported cases increases in the winter months and the incidence peaks every 4-5 years. However, this periodicity is variable and is inconsistent between different geographical regions. Bordetella pertussis infection (BPI) may be underdiagnosed because of its seasonality and the fact that clinical features may be indistinguishable from other respiratory disorders in the paediatric ED setting. Treatment with antibiotics reduces the period of infectivity but may not shorten the illness. This review discusses the epidemiology of the disease, its clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and the disposition of patients with BPI.

AimTo evaluate and compare the incidence of PS and BECTS.MethodsCriteria for the definition of PS and BECTS were circulated monthly to paediatricians with an interest in epilepsy. The geographical area covered a population of approximately 600,000 children (<15 years of age). Clinicians were requested to notify all new cases of PS and BECTS using a standard proforma over a 16 month period. All EEGs undertaken in the same geographical catchment area during this period and independently reported by two clinical neurophysiologists were reviewed to identify any additional new cases to maximise ascertainment.ResultsNew cases of PS and BECTS were identified in 7 and 51 children respectively, representing an annual incidence of 0.8 and 6.3 per 100,000, respectively. There was a longer delay before PS was diagnosed.ConclusionFrom the observed incidence, this study suggests that PS is a relatively uncommon partial epilepsy syndrome, and certainly far less common than BECTS. There is a delay of several years from onset before diagnosis of PS.AcknowledgementMembers of the Mersey Region Paediatric Interest Group (EPIC) are thanked for recruiting patients to this study.Abstract G101(P) Table 1