The effects of hydrocephalus on intelligence, visual perception and school attainment

A group of 59 children with spina bifida, and a group of matched controls, were given detailed psychological and educational tests at five and seven years. The scores of the control group were similar to the national figures. The scores of the children with spina bifida only (without hydrocephalus) were closest to normal, but still below average. Those with spontaneously arrested hydrocephalus were in the backward range of abilities, and those with shunt-treated hydrocephalus had scores which generally were incompatible with normal levels of intelligence and attainment. Abnormal visuo-perceptual functioning closely correlated with defects in intelligence. The results of the school-attainment tests paralleled the distribution of intelligence but many of the children were found to be functioning below expectation for both age and measured intelligence.