Intelligence in Children with Hydrocephalus, Aged 4–15 Years: A Population-based, Controlled Study

Abstract

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.

Repeated autologous umbilical cord blood infusions are feasible and had no acute safety issues in young babies with congenital hydrocephalus

“…A newer procedure called an endoscopic third ventriculostomy along with choroid plexus coagulation is now being performed in hopes of avoiding a shunt, although a shunt is still most common to manage severe hydrocephalus in the neonatal period. Survivors face the sequelae of both shunt complications and brain injury resulting from the prolonged hydrocephalic state in utero including motor deficits (50-60%), auditory and visual deficits (25-60%), seizures (20-50%), and impaired intelligence (50-70%) (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Additional comorbidities may be present if a genetic syndrome is diagnosed postnatally or if other anatomical abnormalities are present on imaging, such as agenesis of the corpus callosum, colpcephaly, holoprosencephaly, or Dandy Walker malformation.…”

Will electronic integrated text, visual and audio questionnaire be a better tool to evaluate the health status of paediatric hydrocephalus patients?

“…There are many studies available exploring the surgical outcomes of hydrocephalus [11]. However, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological studies on the outcome of children with hydrocephalus are limited because the sample selections are small and often restricted by the patients' disabilities [12][13][14][15].…”

“…Currently, studies are investigating the surgical outcomes of hydrocephalus mainly focusing on patient demographic, postoperative data and complication rates [11,27]. However, there are very limited amount reports on the functional outcomes and quality of life studies are still lacking [12][13][14][15]28].…”

“…Currently, there are limited reports on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes using validated tools. HRQOL studies on hydrocephalus patient outcome are limited because the sample selections are small and restricted by the patients' disabilities [12][13][14][15]26,28].…”

“…There are many studies available exploring the surgical outcomes of hydrocephalus [11]. However, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological studies on the outcome of children with hydrocephalus are limited because the sample selections are small and often restricted by the patients' disabilities [12][13][14][15].The degree of long-term cognitive dysfunction is dependent on the causal mechanisms of hydrocephalus and any underlying brain dysmorphology or primary injury from an inciting event such as infection or haemorrhage [16]. For example, it is noted that children with isolated aqueductal stenosis with no other brain anomaly have a cognitive level of normal healthy developing children [16].…”