Early detection of cerebral visual impairment in young children: A preliminary investigation

The principal aim of this study was to determine whether a modified version of the Evaluation of Visuo-Attentional Abilities (EVA) battery could be administered to children under 4 years of age; the secondary aim was to compare the visual outcomes of full-term, preterm, and suspected Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) children aged 3 to 36 months.

Several tests, derived from a modified version of the EVA battery, were administered to the children investigated, depending on their age. They were divided into three age groups (G1: 3-5 months, G2: 6-23 months, G3: 24-36 months). Children in G1 took 7 subtests, those in G2 took 9 (including 7 common to G1), and those in G3 took 13 (including 7 common to G1 and 2 common to G2). For each age group, we compared performance on the various tests according to the group to which the child belonged (full-term, preterm, suspected CVI). We also compared performance within each of the three groups, according to age.

Children with suspected CVI scored consistently lower than both controls and preterm peers. There were no systematic significant difference between the children in the preterm group and the "suspected CVI" group across age groups. The visual performance of preterm children aged 24-36 months was not significantly better than that of children aged 6-23 months and those of children in the "suspected CVI" group did not differ significantly by age group.

Findings indicate preliminary evidence in detecting atypical visual behaviors in at risk children. Prematurity is linked to slower cortical maturation and increased developmental delays. Subtle deficits may not be apparent in the early years but can emerge as development progresses.