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Reported baseline findings from the neurological assessment component of the Hemophilia Growth and Development Study (HGDS). HIV-positive (HIV+; n = 207) and HIV-negative (HIV-; n = 126) young males with hemophilia ages 6 to 18 years, were enrolled in a prospective study of their growth and development. At baseline, HIV+ and HIV- subjects were not significantly different in test performance. The number of subjects exhibiting below-average performance in three or more areas assessed was about 25% overall. For both groups, mean test scores were within the average range. Academic and adaptive skills were lower than expected based on mean IQ scores, and more behavioral/emotional problems than expected were reported by parents. Absolute CD4 cell counts per mm3 were not related to neuropsychological performance at baseline. Results suggest that the subjects with HIV were relatively free of HIV-related neuropsychological impairment at baseline and that observed differences from a general population reflect effects of hemophilia as a chronic illness.

A longitudinal study was undertaken to examine (a) the development of the relationship between physical maturation rate and cognitive performance as children become adolescent and (b) the specific components of cognitive processing that are most closely linked to physical maturation rate. Seventy-eight girls and 67 boys were examined prepubertally on a battery of cognitive ability and perceptual asymmetry measures and reexamined 2 years later when secondary sex characteristics could be evaluated as a measure of pubertal status. At that time, extreme groups of early and late maturers were selected for examination on a more detailed battery designed to assess specific components of cognitive processing. Although there were no maturation-related differences in performance on the cognitive ability tasks, differences were detected on the cognitive process tasks. Implications of these findings are discussed.

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