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Intelligence in children with hydrocephalus, aged 4-15 years: a population-based, controlled study

K Dalen1, S Bruarøy, T Wentzel-Larsen

  • 1Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. knut.dalen@psych.uib.no

Neuropediatrics
|November 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children with hydrocephalus (HC) exhibit significantly lower IQ scores compared to their peers. This population-based study highlights the impact of HC on cognitive development, particularly in infantile cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Hydrocephalus (HC) is a condition characterized by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
  • Understanding the cognitive impact of HC is crucial for early intervention and support.
  • Previous research indicates potential cognitive deficits in children with HC, but specific factors require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate intelligence quotient (IQ) and related cognitive factors in children with hydrocephalus.
  • To compare cognitive performance between children with infantile HC (IH) and childhood HC (CH) and matched controls.
  • To identify specific cognitive profiles associated with different types of HC.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study conducted in western Norway.
  • Intelligence was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised (WPPSI-R) for younger children and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Revised (WISC-R) for older children.
  • Exclusion criteria included myelomeningocele, traumatic brain injury, and intracranial tumors. Controls were matched for age, gender, and geographic variables.

Main Results:

  • Children with HC demonstrated significantly lower IQ levels compared to the control group.
  • Cognitive performance, assessed by Kaufman factors, was lowest in infantile HC (IH) and intermediate in childhood HC (CH).
  • The study confirmed that hydrocephalus negatively affects overall IQ.

Conclusions:

  • Hydrocephalus significantly impacts intellectual functioning in children.
  • Standard Wechsler tests may not detect specific cognitive deficits like non-verbal learning disabilities.
  • Further research employing alternative assessment tools and analytical models is recommended to explore nuanced cognitive profiles in children with HC.

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