Late Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Children with Fetal Ventriculomegaly

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment and health conditions in 85 children aged 9 to 19 years with isolated ventriculomegaly (assessed by fetal ultrasound) using a cross-sectional, parental questionnaire-based survey. If we assume all nonresponders had no impairment (thus addressing a “best case scenario”), our results still indicate an important excess of adverse outcome: 6% (5/85) would have epilepsy; 12% (10/85) in special school; 29% (25/85) with education or language support, and 7% (6/85 children) with severe behavior disturbance. We conclude neurobehavioral difficulties, special educational needs, and epilepsy are common in older children with isolated, including mild, fetal ventriculomegaly.