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Neurodevelopmental outcome of children born with an isolated atretic cephalocele
Itay Tokatly Latzer1,2, Jonathan Roth3,4, Shlomi Constantini3,4
1Pediatric Neurology Institute, The Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel. itaylatzer@gmail.com.
Insights
Children with isolated atretic cephalocele (IAC) typically have normal neurodevelopmental outcomes. This suggests continuing pregnancy is often a safe option when IAC is diagnosed prenatally.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Limited data exist on the neurodevelopmental outcomes for children with isolated atretic cephalocele (IAC).
- Understanding these outcomes is crucial for prenatal counseling and clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with isolated atretic cephalocele (IAC).
- To provide guidance for parents and clinicians regarding prenatal diagnosis of IAC.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study involving nine children diagnosed with IAC.
- Comprehensive evaluations by pediatric neurologists and child development specialists.
- Assessment of global development, motor skills, language, adaptive skills (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition), and social domains.
Main Results:
- No neurological abnormalities were found in the nine children (median age 4.5 years).
- Most children achieved age-appropriate developmental milestones; mild delays resolved by 3.5 years.
- Mean general adaptive composite score was 105 (normal=100), with no behavioral or social issues.
Conclusions:
- Children with IAC, without intracranial abnormalities, generally exhibit normal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Continuation of pregnancy may be recommended following prenatal IAC diagnosis.
- Reassurance is advised for postnatal IAC diagnoses without complications.
Purpose:
The existing data on the neurodevelopmental outcome of children born with an isolated atretic cephalocele (IAC) are scant. We aimed to expand upon these data by describing our experience with affected children, as well as assist parents and clinicians in deciding how to proceed when an IAC is diagnosed prenatally.
Methods:
A follow-up study was conducted on nine children who were born with an IAC. Evaluations were performed by pediatric neurologists and child development specialists. Developmental outcomes were based on a global development evaluation that assessed gross and fine motor skills, receptive and expressive language levels, activities of daily living, communication skills, and social domains. Adaptive skills were estimated by the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition.
Results:
None of the nine children (median age 4 years and 6 months) had abnormal findings on neurological examination. Six children had age-appropriate developmental milestones, two had a mild motor delay, and one had mild expressive language delay (catchup was achieved by all of the latter three by ~ 3.5 years of age). The mean general adaptive composite score was 105 ± 11.7 (normal = 100). None of the children had behavioral, social, or communication problems.
Conclusions:
Children diagnosed with an IAC with/without a falcine sinus and devoid of coexisting intracranial abnormalities seem to have a normal neurodevelopmental outcome. Continuation of pregnancy may be recommended when an IAC is detected prenatally, and reassurance if detected postnatally.
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