Myelomeningocele, temperament patterns, and parental perceptions

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Child Neurology

Background:

• Temperament profiles are well-documented in typically developing children.
• Individual behavioral styles are less frequently assessed, especially in children with developmental disabilities.
• Understanding temperament in children with myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus (MM/SH) can enhance comprehension of their complex needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the temperament characteristics of children diagnosed with myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus (MM/SH).
• To identify unique temperament profiles in this population compared to typically developing children.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving 46 children (ages 5-12) with MM/SH.
• Caregivers completed Carey Temperament Scales (Behavioral Style Questionnaire or Middle Childhood Temperament Questionnaire).
• Excluded children with comorbid ADHD or mental retardation; analysis included group comparisons.

Main Results:

• Children with MM/SH differed significantly from the standardized population in adaptability (less adaptable), approach/withdrawal (poor first approach/greater withdrawal), distractibility (more distractible), attention/persistence (less attentive/persistent), and predictability/rhythm (less predictable).
• Caregiver perceptions of child difficulty correlated with negative mood, higher intensity, and lower adaptability.
• Common temperament profiles ('easy' or 'difficult' child) were not prominent in this group.

Conclusions:

• The temperament profile in children with MM/SH is not characterized by typical 'easy' or 'difficult' classifications.
• A unique constellation of temperament traits may increase risk for social cue misunderstandings.
• These findings have implications for learning and social interactions in academic, home, and medical settings.