Cognitive functioning was compared in 29 children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), 35 children with fetal alcohol effects (FAE), and 66 psychotropic drugs-exposed (PDE) children using Wechsler tests and the neuropsychological test battery NEPSY. In the FAS group, verbal IQ (VIQ=78), performance IQ (PIQ=77), and full scale IQ (FSIQ=75) were significantly lower as compared to the FAE and PDE groups. In the PDE group VIQ and FSIQ were significantly higher than in the FAE group. In the FAS group, processing speed (PS) was significantly lower than the other three factors. In the FAE group, perceptual organization (PO) was significantly higher, whereas PS was significantly lower than the other factors. In the PDE group, verbal comprehension (VC) was significantly higher than the other factors. Attention subscales on the NEPSY were significantly lower in all the three groups. Prenatal alcohol exposure affects IQ levels more than exposure to psychotropic drugs. Attentional problems were found in all children when tested with the NEPSY in all groups.

The aim of this population-based study is to investigate IQ and IQ-related factors in children with hydrocephalus (HC). Psychometric intelligence was assessed in subjects below the age of 7.3 years (N=52, F=18, M=34) with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised (WPPSI-R) and for children above the age of 7.3 years (N=29, F=6, M=23) with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R). The controls were matched according to age, gender, and geographic variables. All children were living in western Norway. 57 children had infantile HC (IH) and 24 had childhood HC (CH). Children with myelomeningocele (MMC), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or intracranial tumours were excluded. IQ levels were found to be significantly higher in the control group than in the HC groups. The Kaufman factors showed a similar pattern, with lowest values in IH, and CH intermediate between IH and NC. The results demonstrate that HC affects IQ. More specific cognitive profiles, such as non-verbal learning disabilities, are not detectable when using the Wechsler tests. For this purpose, other tests and models for analyses may be recommended.

The rate of FAS/FASD may be greatly underestimated because of lack of knowledge. An information program aimed at health-care and social workers is effective.

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The aim of this population-based, controlled study was to investigate non-verbal learning disabilities (NLD) in children with infantile hydrocephalus (IH). For this purpose, the results from subtests measuring either assets or deficits within Rourke's model of NLD were analyzed. Children with myelomeningocele (MMC), intracranial tumors, or IQ < 70 were excluded. Of the 52 IH children included in the study, 46 were shunt-treated, whereas 6 were not shunted. The 44 controls were matched according to age, gender, and geographic variables. The Neuropsychological Assessment of Children (NEPSY) was administered to 52 children (age 4-7) with IH; (F = 17, M = 35), and to 44 controls (F = 17, M = 27). The tests used were classified along each of the dimensions "assets" or "deficits", according to Rourke's model of the elements and the dynamics of the NLD syndrome. Differences between sum scores for the subtests classified as "assets", versus "deficits" were significantly higher in the IH group as compared with the controls (p < 0.005). These findings are compatible with a higher frequency of NLD in the IH group, in which neurological confounding factors have been excluded. In addition, the model of the elements and the dynamics of the NLD syndrome may be useful when analyzing neuropsychological test results obtained with traditional and comprehensive test batteries.