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IntroductionAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently defined as a cognitive/ behavioral developmental disorder. There are three subtypes of ADHD, namely (i) predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, (ii) predominantly inattentive, and (iii) combined hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive. Overweight and obesity seem to be more prevalent among patients with mental disorder and children with ADHD symptoms. Obesity has become increasingly common in recent years, and is now considered as an epidemic by the World Health Organization. In humans, there is a high correlation between body mass index (BMI) and circulating leptin; the greater the amount of adipose tissue the higher the level of leptin. The aim of this study was to measure the serum leptin level of a group of ADHD children and adolescents and to find its correlation with cognitive function. Methods Thirty patients with ADHD of both sexes, aged between 6 and 18 years, with BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex were recruited along with 15 healthy agematched and sex-matched individuals who served as controls. Patients and controls were assessed for BMI, intelligence quotient (IQ) testing, and serum leptin level that was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. ResultsThe majority of cases (21 cases) were children below the age of 12 years. There was male predominance in our group, with 56% presenting with hyperactive-impulsive type. Obesity was evident in 47% of patients, with no significant difference between children and adolescents. A significant relationship was found between cases and controls with regard to IQ and serum leptin level. Serum leptin level showed a significant relationship with performance IQ, which was not evident with either verbal IQ or total IQ score. ConclusionWe conclude that patients with ADHD show decline in cognitive abilities, that at a young age, BMI may not reflect the relationship between serum leptin level and cognitive function. Still, leptin level could be a marker for decline in cognitive abilities manifesting in social disturbance in ADHD cases.

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Background: Hemiparetic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy(CP) constitute at least a third of all people with CP. Children with hemiparesis are suffering from weak hand muscles and retarded hand use.Mirror therapy is a relatively new approach in rehabilitation used in different neurological disorders. In mirror therapy a mirror is positioned orthogonally in front of the center of the patient's body. The less-affected (healthy) extremity is moved and observed in the mirror. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mirror visual feedback on improving hand functions in children with hemiparesis.Methods: Forty children with hemiparesis of both sexes, ranged in age from five to seven years old, participated in thisstudy. They were divided randomly into two groups of equal number (control and study). The control group received a specially designed physical therapy exercise program for four successive weeks while the study group received mirrorexercise program in addition to the same program of the control group. Hand functions assessments was done usinggrasping and object manipulation subtests of Peabody developmental motor scale (PDMS-2). Hand grip strength was performed using handheld dynamometer. Evaluation was performed pre and post treatment program.Results:There was no significant difference between both groups in the pre-treatment mean values of all measured variables. Also, the results of this study revealed a significant improvement in the scores of the PDMS-2 andin grasp strength of the 2 groups. Post treatment results revealed more improvement in favor of the study group as compared with the control group. Conclusion:Using the mirror visual feedback could help in improving hand functions in children with hemiparesis.