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Neuropsychological evaluation of neurologically asymptomatic HIV-infected children
P S Bisiacchi1, A Suppiej, A Laverda
1Department of General Psychology, Padova, Italy.
Insights
Neuropsychological testing reveals executive function impairments in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even asymptomatic children show early cognitive deficits, highlighting the prognostic value of these assessments for neurological involvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can affect the central nervous system.
- Early identification of neurological involvement in children with HIV is crucial for prognosis.
- Neuropsychological assessment may detect subtle cognitive deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the neuropsychological performance of children born to HIV-positive mothers.
- To identify specific cognitive functions affected by HIV infection in children.
- To explore the utility of neuropsychological assessment in detecting early neurological signs of HIV.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 42 children born to HIV-positive mothers was assessed.
- Participants included infected (n=29) and non-infected (n=13) children.
- A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered.
Main Results:
- All infected children exhibited executive function impairments.
- Memory and visuospatial deficits were observed in children with advanced HIV disease (AIDS).
- Language and overall intelligence remained unaffected; seroreverters performed normally.
Conclusions:
- Neuropsychological evaluation can detect early cognitive impairments in neurologically asymptomatic children with HIV.
- These findings underscore the prognostic significance of neuropsychological assessment for identifying early HIV-related neurological involvement.
Abstract:
Forty-two children born to HIV positive mothers (29 infected at different stages of the disease, according to the Disease Control Classification Centers, and 13 noninfected) underwent evaluation using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Executive function impairments were present in all infected children, whereas memory and visuo-prassic deficits were evident only in those with full-blown AIDS. Language abilities and overall intelligence were spared. Performance of seroreverters was in the normal range. These findings suggest that even in neurologically asymptomatic children, neuropsychological evaluation can identify early impairment of specific cognitive functions. The findings are discussed in the light of the prognostic power of neuropsychological assessment for early signs of HIV neurological involvement.