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Published on: November 3, 2016
Minor neurological dysfunction, cognitive development and somatic development at the age of 3 to 11 years in
Joerg Kutschera1, Johanna Tomaselli, Ute Maurer
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. joerg.kutschera@klinikum-graz.at
Insights
Transient periventricular echodensities (TPE) in very-low-birthweight infants are linked to later minor neurological dysfunction. This study found TPE impacts cognitive development and fine motor skills in children without major impairments.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Transient periventricular echodensities (TPE) are common in very-low-birthweight infants.
- Potential long-term neurodevelopmental effects of TPE require clarification, especially in the absence of major neurological impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between TPE and minor neurological dysfunction and cognitive/somatic development.
- To isolate the effects of TPE by excluding other confounding risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Matched cohort study comparing 23 infants with TPE to 23 without.
- Strict exclusion criteria applied to control for factors like SGA, microcephaly, IVH, and major anomalies.
- Neurodevelopmental assessment using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children and Draw-a-Man Test.
Main Results:
- No demographic, growth, or socioeconomic differences between groups.
- The TPE group showed significantly lower fine motor skills and Draw-a-Man Test scores.
- Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children subscales were below average in the TPE group, except sequential processing.
Conclusions:
- TPE is associated with minor neurological dysfunction and impaired cognitive development.
- Strict exclusion criteria strengthen the evidence linking TPE to these outcomes.
- TPE may represent a specific risk factor for subtle neurodevelopmental deficits.
Aim:
To determine, using strict exclusion criteria, whether transient periventricular echodensities (TPE) in very-low-birthweight infants lead to minor neurological dysfunction and problems in cognitive and somatic development in children without major neurological impairments.
Methods:
23 children with TPE were matched to 23 children without TPE. Exclusion criteria were small for gestational age, microcephaly at birth, diplegia, asphyxia, psychomotor retardation, intraventricular haemorrhage grade III/IV, major surgical interventions and malformations. The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Draw-a-Man Test and neuropaediatric examination were used for evaluation.
Results:
There were no differences in demographic data, growth and socio-economic status. Significant differences with lower results in the TPE group were found in fine motor skills and in the Draw-a-Man Test. In the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, all subscales were below average in the TPE group, except the sequential processing scale. In the control group, all subscales were within the average range.
Conclusion:
By using strict exclusion criteria to eliminate other risk factors for minimal neurological dysfunction and poor cognitive development, we were able to focus on the effect of TPE. TPE seem to affect cognitive development and cause minor neurological dysfunction.
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