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Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Published on: January 11, 2016
[Unilateral spatial and motor neglect in children]
A Laurent-Vannier1, P Pradat-Diehl, M Chevignard
1Service de rééducation des pathologies neurologiques acquises de l'enfant, Hôpital National de Saint Maurice, Cedex, France.
Insights
Pediatric cerebral damage can cause spatial neglect, a condition rarely reported in children. This study identified spatial and motor neglect in four young patients, highlighting the need for systematic assessment during rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Unilateral spatial neglect is a common deficit in adults post-cerebral damage.
- Spatial neglect is infrequently documented in pediatric populations.
- Motor neglect has not been previously reported in children.
Observation:
- Four children (3-13 years) in a rehabilitation setting were assessed for spatial neglect using the "Teddy bear test."
- Children with cerebral damage omitted significantly more Teddy bears on the left side compared to controls.
- Neglect was also observed in drawing tasks and daily activities.
Findings:
- The study identified spatial unilateral neglect in four pediatric patients.
- One patient also presented with motor neglect, characterized by left-side under-utilization without strength deficits.
- These findings suggest spatial and motor neglect can occur in children after cerebral damage.
Implications:
- Systematic screening for spatial and motor neglect is crucial in children with cerebral damage.
- Recognition of these deficits can inform tailored rehabilitation strategies.
- Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and mechanisms of pediatric neglect.
Abstract:
Although unilateral spatial neglect is well documented in adults after a cerebral damage, the description in children is rare and no motor neglect has yet been reported. We report four children age range from three to thirteen years old, in patients in a rehabilitation department. A cancellation task "the Teddy bear test" was used to assess spatial neglect in children. The children were presented a page containing line drawings of usual objects, including fifteen Teddy bears. The children were asked to cross out each Teddy bear. These four children omitted five to eleven teddy bears located on the left space, whereas children of the controlled group never omitted more than one Teddy bear. The four children also exhibited neglect in drawings, and during daily life activities. Moreover, one of them had a motor neglect with no more defects of strength and an under-utilization of his left side. Spatial unilateral neglect and motor neglect should be systematically investigated in children after a cerebral damage, and should be considered during rehabilitation.
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