Attention difficulties and physical dysfunction common in children with complex congenital malformations: a study of

A-M Kassa1,2, M Dahl1, M Strinnholm3

  • 1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Insights

Preschool children with VACTERL (vertebral defects, anorectal malformations, cardiac defects, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, renal and limb malformations) often experience attention difficulties and physical dysfunction, requiring school support.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Surgical Congenital Anomalies

Background:

  • Limited knowledge exists regarding the neurodevelopmental and physical functioning of children diagnosed with VACTERL association.
  • Early identification of potential challenges is crucial for providing timely support to affected children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the neurodevelopmental and physical function in Swedish preschool children with VACTERL association.
  • To determine the need for additional educational support for these children upon school entry.

Main Methods:

  • Children aged 5-7 with VACTERL association were recruited from a pediatric surgical center.
  • Neurodevelopmental function was assessed using intelligence, attention tests, and psychological observation.
  • Physical function was evaluated through parental interviews and examinations, with data extracted from medical records.

Main Results:

  • All children assessed had intelligence within the normal range.
  • Eight children exhibited attention difficulties, necessitating school adjustments; two were diagnosed with ADHD.
  • All participants presented with physical dysfunctions impacting daily nutrition, bowel, or bladder functions.

Conclusions:

  • Attention difficulties and physical dysfunction are prevalent in preschool-aged children with VACTERL association.
  • These children require specific support and accommodations when transitioning to the school environment.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
306
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
15.7K
Common Ion Effect03:24

Common Ion Effect

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
46.9K
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter02:57

Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

The characteristics that enable us to distinguish one substance from another are called properties.
166.6K
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
9.4K
Associative Learning01:27

Associative Learning

Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
Classical conditioning, also known...
1.3K