Cognitive Functioning in Children Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol and Psychotropic Drugs

Abstract

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.

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“…Overall, the articles that assessed intellectual functioning in individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol found general impairment in intelligence. 13,15,16,20,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]45 This fi nding was consistent with the revisions included in this study. 11,12,22,32,38,39 Curiously, while compiling the studies data, we found that the intellectual performance injury occurs diff erently depending on the individual diagnosis.…”

“…This information is consistent with the fi ndings of Coriale et al 3 Impairments of verbal and non-verbal intelligence in the exposed samples were presented in several studies. 13,20,25,37,41,42 The verbal and non-verbal IQ were equally impaired 38,39 and with an undefi ned consistent pattern. 36 A study by Nash et al 32 also highlighted this diffi culty in both areas and the same study also emphasized that impairment in the verbal domain becomes increasingly pronounced with advancing age.…”

“…17 When the sampled individuals who were exposed to alcohol were compared with each other, it was found that those with FAS had greater impairment in terms of general, 16,27,31 as well as verbal and non-verbal intelligence. 13 which indicated the most severe form of the spectrum. This information is consistent with the fi ndings of Coriale et al 3 Impairments of verbal and non-verbal intelligence in the exposed samples were presented in several studies.…”

“…The FDI/WMI <90 was presented by 87.5% and POI/ PRI <90 was presented by 75% of the samples. While comparing and reviewing the results, it was noted that the sample that was prenatally exposed to alcohol was less damaged in terms of VCI 13,14 and POI/PRI. 15 The PSI results diff ered between the studies; they were most negatively aff ected in the population exposed to alcohol as concluded in a study by Dalen et al 15 and most preserved in a study by Ferreira et al 19 The FDI/WMI was more adversely aff ected in the population who were exposed to alcohol 14,15 than other groups.…”

“…Analyzing the samples addressed in these studies, it was clear that mostly they consisted of milder forms of FASD or of individuals who had been exposed to alcohol, but without a diagnosis, as stated in several studies. 13,14,17,20,31,34,35,46,47 The fact that the samples presented predominantly milder forms of FASD resulted in higher scores. This explains why some studies state that most individuals who were prenatally exposed to alcohol are not intellectually impaired.…”