Neuropsychological profiles of children with cerebral palsy
Kristine Stadskleiv1, Reidun Jahnsen1,2, Guro L Andersen3,4
1a Department of Clinical Neurosciences for Children, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
Insights
Cognitive functioning in children with cerebral palsy (CP) varies due to gross motor skills, epilepsy, and brain injury type. Many children with CP experience intellectual disabilities, particularly those with quadriplegic CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture, often accompanied by cognitive impairments.
- Understanding the factors influencing cognitive variability in children with CP is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors contributing to the wide range of cognitive functioning observed in children with cerebral palsy.
- To analyze the relationship between motor impairments, neurological factors, and cognitive outcomes in pediatric CP.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 70 children with CP (mean age 9;9) underwent comprehensive cognitive assessments, including language, visual-spatial, attention, memory, and executive functions.
- Assessments were adapted using gaze pointing for children with severe motor impairments.
- A cognitive quotient (CQ) was calculated for each participant.
Main Results:
- The mean cognitive quotient (CQ) was 78.5, with significant variability (range 19-123).
- Gross motor functioning, epilepsy, and the type of brain injury collectively accounted for 35.5% of the variance in cognitive quotient.
- Intellectual disability was present in 24% of the children, predominantly those with quadriplegic CP.
Conclusions:
- Gross motor function, epilepsy, and brain injury type are significant predictors of cognitive variability in children with CP.
- A substantial proportion of children with CP, especially those with quadriplegic CP, exhibit intellectual disabilities.
- Cognitive profiles varied, with a subset showing uneven performance, particularly in perceptual reasoning.
Purpose:
To explore factors contributing to variability in cognitive functioning in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Method:
A geographical cohort of 70 children with CP was assessed with tests of language comprehension, visual-spatial reasoning, attention, working memory, memory, and executive functioning. Mean age was 9;9 years (range 5;1-17;7), 54.3% were girls, and 50.0% had hemiplegic, 25.7% diplegic, 12.9% quadriplegic, and 11.4% dyskinetic CP. For the participants with severe motor impairments, assessments were adapted for gaze pointing. A cognitive quotient (CQ) was computed.
Results:
Mean CQ was 78.5 (range 19-123). Gross motor functioning, epilepsy, and type of brain injury explained 35.5% of the variance in CQ (F = 10.643, p = .000).
Conclusion:
Twenty-four percent had an intellectual disability, most of them were children with quadriplegic CP. Verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning scores did only differ for the 21% with an uneven profile, of whom two-thirds had challenges with perceptual reasoning.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
01:30Information Processing Approach