Lower IQ Levels Research Articles

Intellectual function of a productive social character

The humanistic-psychological aspect of the problem of the totalitarianism psychological basis, in particular racism, is the formation of resistance to totalitarian ideas among the citizens of those states that have chosen the path of social progress. It is shown that this basis is formed by conscious and unconscious conformists and individuals who are unable to understand socio-political and socio-economic realities on their own due to a low IQ level. Thus, it has been proven that the formation of psychological resistance to totalitarian ideas should be based not on the development of the intellect, but on character education. If intelligence is not only the IQ level, but also a derivative of a person’s independence and courage, and stupidity and dullness – from fear and subordination, then what is needed is not an increase in “intelligence”, but the education of a productive social character of citizens, which is characterized by independence, persistence, love of life in all its healthy and beautiful manifestations. Therefore, the intellectual function of a productive social character is its constant focus on solving socio-political tasks, solving social problems from the standpoint of humanistic spiritual values. The primary condition of formation of such a character is the development of the ability to love, which is born in the process of communication with a child, saturated with generous manifestations of sincere love, from its birth. Then there is a full-fledged gaming activity (“fair game”). Satisfaction the benevolent self-regulation in such a game corresponds to the emotion-motivational center of decency as an essential component of a virtuous social character, therefore, which accelerates its development. he age-related transition of the leading developmental function from communication to play does not reduce the power of sincere love for a child in terms of enriching his biophilia. A sufficient condition for a child’s full-fledged development is his cognitive activity, which requires significant mental and volitional efforts, which are most effectively motivated by the curiosity of the learning process. Students should be primarily got interested by the content of the subjects of the artistic-aesthetic cycle, because a full-fledged artistic-aesthetic activity is interesting, exciting, creative, and because their main task is precisely the education of a spiritual orientation of a personality. Self-actualization is a person’s work on himself, which powerfully develops biophilia. Personalities who are self-actualized love their work, enjoy their professional competence and self-realization, which is a significant component of biophilia. A set of self traits is developed in them, that perfectly correspond to a productive social character.

Health risks of heavy metals in food and their economic burden in Armenia

Mining leads to excessive heavy metal contamination of agricultural products in Armenia and can adversely impact human health. We quantify the concentrations of toxic heavy metals (lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury) in food sampled from local markets of the capital city, Yerevan. We combine these measured concentrations with data from a diet survey of 1,195 people. The results provide an estimate of people’s heavy metal intake in a typical day.The study finds that only dietary exposure to lead raises consumer safety concerns. More than 50 % of the population have daily intakes of lead that exceed the benchmark dose level (BMDL10) of 0.63 μg/kg b.w./day established by European Food Safety Authority. Moreover, risk assessment results indicate that approximately 96 % of the population has dietary exposure values for lead that exceed the threshold level, with animal products as the primary source. The lead exposure observed in sampled population has the potential to increase blood pressure on average by 0.54 mmHg, lower IQ levels by 1.2 point, and reduce lifetime earnings by $5000. The study reveals a strong need to determine the specific pathways by which lead enters the food supply, to mitigate the excess exposures, and to reduce the potential or severity of the resulting adverse health impacts.

Paternal age is affected by genetic abnormalities, perinatal complications and mental health of the offspring.

Infertility and fecundity problems concern 10-18% of partners in their reproductive years compromising around one million females and males in Poland. Research and analysis of factors that affect male fertility are limited, especially, regarding the age of the father and determining the age at which quality of semen decreases. Age of the father has greater impact than maternal age, on cases of sporadic autosomal dominant congenital diseases such as Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer, Noonan and Costello syndromes, multiple endocrine neoplasia (types 2A and 2B) and achondroplasia. However, there are only a few reports taking paternal advanced age into consideration for pre-mature birth, low Apgar scores or admission to a neonatal intensive care department. Paternal age increases the frequency of congenital diseases such as heart malformations as well as oral, palate and lip cleft. Moreover, mental disorders (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, low IQ level as well as ADHD) also occur more frequently in advanced father's age. Advanced paternal age is defined differently in every research. It depends on disorders in offspring we are talking about. Paternal age has an impact on child's health and development and it is as significant as maternal age, when it comes to reproductive matters.

Vers un rapprochement du syndrome de Klinefelter et de la psychopathie en psychiatrie légale

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) (47,XXY) is the most common aneuploidy (1/650) of sexual chromosome among male (0,1 à 0,2 % of male population) (Hong and Reiss, 2014). Because its large physical phenotypic variability (high tall, sparse hairiness, gynecomastia), this syndrome is largely underdiagnosed (less than 25 % of affected persons) (Samango-Sprouse et al., 2018). Nevertheless, cognitive variability is smaller. Normal to low average total IQ, low verbal IQ, social problems and high levels of psychiatric comorbidities including early aggressiveness are commonly described (Hong and Reiss, 2014). In Denmark, higher risks of committing sexual crime and arson (compared to criminal controls) was recently reported (Stochholm et al., 2012). Quite a few clinically relevant cases reports scattered in the literature, suggests the presence of a pattern of a specific subtype of KS inpatients among forensic population (Bénézech, 1975). However, very few studies provide quantitative or qualitative pertaining to robust results. KS well-documented neurobiological (van Rijn, 2018) (e.g. low levels of testosterone), neuropsychological (Bénézech, 1975; Hong and Reiss, 2014; Samango-Sprouse et al., 2018; Savic, 2012; Seara-Cardoso et al., 2016; Senon, 2005; Stochholm et al., 2012; van Rijn, 2018; van Rijn et al., 2008; van Rijn et al., 2018; van Rijn et al., 2014; van Rijn et al., 2012) [29] (e.g. alterations of both complex cerebral — attention, empathy — and behavioral regulation functions - inhibition, mental flexibility, emotional response modulation, control of own actions) and neuroanatomical (Hong and Reiss, 2014; Itti et al., 2003; Savic, 2012; van Rijn et al., 2008; van Rijn et al., 2012) [29] (e.g. limbic system and temporal lobe abnormal volume, hemispheric specialization shortcoming) features may be helpful to understand comorbid symptoms psychopathology. Numbers of recent studies conduct on KS pediatric or adult population provide interesting results on conduct, anxiety, psychotic and autism spectrum disorders. In addition, some authors use genetic and epigenetic specific features of sex chromosome aneuploidies (e.g. X genes neurodevelopmental role; imprinting) in order to clarify genotype-phenotype links of comorbid symptoms (Bruining et al., 2011; Zitzmann et al., 2004;). With Belgian colleagues from the Social Defense Research Center (CRDS, Tournai, Belgium), we are currently recruiting KS inpatients from security hospitals or psychiatric units in Belgium and France. We aim to assess psychopathic traits with the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R, Hare) (Hare, 2003). Our first results concerning 3 KS males outline that PCL-R is useful for the characterization of clinical phenotype among KS forensic sample. While three of them present psychopathic traits, two of them present categorical double diagnose “psychopathy-KS” (total PCL-R score>=30/40 (Delannoy et al., 2017)). Moreover, dimensional analysis support our hypothesis of a higher prevalence of “explosive profile” in comparison to other psychopathic profiles in our sample (Delannoy et al., 2017). The present article summarizes historic background (e.g. “psychopathy” disappearance of mental disorder reference classification schemes, “crime chromosome” (Bénézech, 1975)) and current context argues (e.g. French psychiatrists court experts widely refer to psychopathy concept despite a lack of consensual definition (Senon, 2005), weak knowledge and training of PCL-R and its related biopsychological recent findings (Blair, 2013; de Oliveira-Souza et al., 2008; Dotterer et al., 2017; Glenn and Raine, 2014; Hosking et al., 2017; Korponay et al., 2017; Pham, 1995; Pham, 2005; Raine, 2008; Raine et al., 2003); stigma and discrimination apprehensions of KS and psychopath) that motivate our research project. Finally, we discuss the advantages of our research protocol on KS participants assessed with PCL-R, such as tackling stigma and discrimination, better understanding psychopathology, and clarifying murky interactions of biological, psychological and social factors entangled in the development of these two fascinating troubles.

Neglect and its Effect on Cognition

The brain is a powerful organ that can be damaged with irreversible consequences. Neglect alongside coexisting factors, such as childhood abuse, can affect the overall development of the brain. The severity and longevity of such adverse childhood effects can impair the cognitive, social, and behavioral progresses. This literature review discusses the effects of neglect and coexisting factors, and the negative effects on overall cognition (intellectual, social and behavioral). Results expressed that neglect effects children’s ability to strive in the future. Children who were neglected demonstrated low IQ levels, significantly low levels of social skills, and troubling behavioral skills.

Cognitive deterioration in adult epilepsy: clinical characteristics of “Accelerated Cognitive Ageing”

"Epileptic dementia" is reported in adults with childhood-onset refractory epilepsy. Cognitive deterioration can also occur in a "second-hit model". We studied the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of patients with cognitive deterioration (≥1 SD discrepancy between current IQ and premorbid IQ). Memory function, reaction time and processing speed were also evaluated. Analyses were performed to investigate which clinical characteristics correlated with cognitive deterioration. Twenty-seven patients were included with a mean age of 55.7years old, an average age at epilepsy onset of 33.9years and a mean duration of 21.8years. Over 40% had experienced at least one status epilepticus. About 77.8% had at least one comorbid disease (most of (cardio)vascular origin). Cognitive deterioration scores were significant for both Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ, but not for Verbal IQ. Impairments in fluid functions primarily affected the IQ-scores. Memory was not impaired. Epilepsy factors explained 7% of the variance in deterioration, whereas 38% was explained by relatively low premorbid IQ and educational level, high age at seizure onset and older age. A subgroup of patients with localization-related epilepsy exhibits cognitive decline characterized by deterioration in PIQ and FSIQ, but with preserved higher order functions (VIQ and memory). Patients typically have epilepsia tarda, comorbid pathology, relatively low educational level and older age. These are factors known to increase the vulnerability of the brain by diminishing cognitive reserve. Cognitive deterioration may develop according to a stepwise "second-hit model", affecting and accelerating the cognitive ageing process.

Lead exposure of Bangladeshi women at childbearing age: Does mother's education reduce fetal risk factors?

Lead is one of the oldest toxins existing in the environment that can affect almost all organs of the body without any noticeable symptom. Depending on its concentration in the body, lead may cause lower IQ level, autism, abnormal pregnancy outcome, abortion, and increased involvement in crime. As lead can cross the placental barrier and affect the fetus, pregnant women, fetuses, and children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning because of rapid bone mobilization and neurodevelopment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness of lead exposure among Bangladeshi women of childbearing age on the basis of their educational level. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the participants comprising both less-educated (n = 62) and more-educated (n = 52) women. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version20), and relevant statistical techniques were used to draw the results. The findings showed highly significant differences between the two groups in relation to economic condition, lifestyle, residential location, use of traditional cosmetics, and food habit (p < 0.0001). Although the more-educated women claimed that they were aware of the harmful effects of lead, as opposed to the less-educated women not being aware (p < 0.0001), they failed to substantiate their claim because this was not reflected in their everyday practices as revealed by the ‘previous birth outcome records’ of their fetuses. This indicated that their knowledge or awareness of lead, particularly its sources and detrimental effects, remained superficial, and their educational background had no statistically significant difference with respect to the awareness of lead toxicity (p = 0.103). Given that a mother's exposure to lead can directly affect her fetus, this study bears high significance, as the results imply that if women are aware of the sources of lead and the consequences of lead poisoning, the body burden of lead could be reduced in the next generation, which, in turn, would have a high economic impact.

Perbedaan Pengaruh Fungsi Guru (Guru Bidang Studi dengan Guru Kelas) terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Ditinjau dari Tingkat IQ Siswa

<p>The aim of the study was to analyze differences in the influence function of <br />teachers (between classroom teachers with subject teachers ) and the IQ level of the mathematics learning outcomes. This research was conducted at the fifth grade elementary school students in the district Kramat Jati. The sample used in this study consisted of 10 elementary schools, both public and private as many as 352 students and were selected by cluster sampling. Normality Tests performed using Liliefors test with the results of several different groups. Where data is normally categorized Testing homogeneity with the Bartlet test results data used is homogeneous. Research hypothesis testing using 2 way ANOVA, with the calculation that the learning outcomes of students who are taught mathematics by teachers of better than students taught by classroom teachers, math learning outcomes of students who have a high IQ level is better than the students who have a low IQ level, there was an interaction effect between the teacher and the function of the IQ level of mathematics learning outcomes of primary school students in the District Kramat Jati. </p>

G.P.174: Behavioral and neurocognitive profile in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Non progressive cognitive impairment and increased rates psychosocial disorders, ADHD and Autism are reported in DMD patients. Through structured and validated questionnaire (Wechsler scales or Griffiths developmental scale, CBCL, Youth Self Report, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, ADOS and DAWBA) we explored the possible role of cognitive impairment on the neuropsychiatric comorbidity in 32 boys with DMD (4–18years). Our preliminary analysis shows a mean Full Intelligence Quotient of the whole group of 83.90±16.68, lower in the patients with deletions in the distal portion of the gene (78.28±16.72) than in the ones with proximal deletions (88.52±15.62), with a very high frequency of Autism (about 20%) particularly in children with lower IQ level, and a high frequency of internalizing problems at CBCL, in boys with FIQ within the normal range, suggesting a role of cognitive capabilities in DMD children psychopathology.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in School Age Children in District Karak Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in school-going children. Both Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia have considerable adverse effect on human health. Among the different negative health concerns, including stunt development, less developed immunity, lower IQ level, no proper physical work capacity, more fatigue, maternal mortality rates, young ones born with low birth weight, birth complications and infant mortality rates are some of the remarkable health concerns posed by iron deficiency level. Our study sample was consisting of 420 school age children of both genders. The blood samples were collected in EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) tubes from different school and health maternity centres by trained and veteran persons. Questionnaires were utilised for the data collection, at the time of blood samples collection. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrite (Hct), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell and red blood cell (RBC) were determine by automatic hematological analyzer model Symex Ks-21 having two reagents, cell pack and Stromatolyser-wwt 500 ml. The total percentage of anemia recorded in school age children was 34.0%. In tehsil Banda Daud Shah, the incidence of anemia was high up to 43.6% while in tehsil Takhti Nasrati and Karak was 32.1% and 26.4% respectively. The percentage was higher in girls (38.9%) than in boys (31.0%). The anemia percentage was recorded high (55.8%) in lower socioeconomic family children, than middle class (32.2%) and upper class (17%). The percentage of anemic children was also high (40%) in age group of 10 - 12 years. Pale skin was the most common symptom of anemia.

Asymmetry Pattern of Resting EEG for Different IQ Levels

The aim of this work is to analyze asymmetry pattern of resting brainwave for different intelligence levels. EEG signals were measured from fifty samples and three IQ levels were established from Raven's Progressive Matrices. Asymmetry scores for alpha and beta waves were computed by subtracting ln-transformed ESD of the left from right hemisphere. The study elucidate that individuals in high IQ level exhibit a balanced brain with smaller asymmetry score for alpha and beta waves compared to medium and low IQ levels. Meanwhile, the medium and low IQ levels exhibit unbalanced brain alpha and beta activity with greater asymmetry values.

Intellectual Function among Epileptic Children: The Role of Epilepsy Related-Factors in Nigeria

This study evaluated the role of epilepsy-related factors, such as etiological variability, sex and age, on general intellectual functions among Nigerian children with epilepsy. Sixty epileptic children (38 males and 22 females) with a mean age of 12.9 years (SD= 2.9 years) were randomly selected from a population of epileptic children attending the Outpatient Neurology Clinic at Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) was administered. The result showed that 73.4% of the epileptic children had mental retardation, borderline and low average IQ level which, in some way, corresponded to general intellectual impairment. Multiple regression analysis revealed that etiological variability independently predicted Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ among the epileptic children. Furthermore, sex independently predicted Performance IQ of the epileptic children. This study emphasised a significant joint prediction of etiological variability, sex and age on Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Full Scale IQ among the epileptic children. In conclusions, etiological variability and sex are important predictors of general intellectual functions. This research will enhance the understanding of those epileptic children who are in danger of developmental impairment so that treatment methods can be developed.

Cognitive and Behavioral Functioning in 82 Patients with Trigonocephaly

The main objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and features of autism spectrum disorders in trigonocephalic patients, using validated instruments and by ruling out the confounding influence of IQ. The second aim was to assess the association between extracranial anomalies and cognitive and/or behavioral problems in patients with trigonocephaly. Objectives were studied in 82 trigonocephalic patients aged 4 to 18 years at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Features of autism spectrum disorders were assessed using the Social Communication Questionnaire. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Parent Version. The presence and nature of extracranial anomalies were ascertained by a clinician. Mental retardation (IQ <70) was present in 9 percent of patients with trigonocephaly. Findings indicated a 70 percent versus 24 percent prevalence of psychopathology (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, or features of autism spectrum disorder) in patients with IQ levels of, respectively, <85 and ≥85. In the latter group, psychopathology was not significantly more common than expected based on prevalence rates reported in community samples. Extracranial anomalies were significantly correlated with lower IQ levels. However, when adjusted for IQ, the presence of extracranial malformations was not associated with an increased risk of behavioral problems. The relatively high prevalence of behavioral problems in patients with trigonocephaly seems to be mainly attributable to the co-occurrence of trigonocephaly and low intelligence.

Is deterioration of IQ a feature of first episode psychosis and how can we measure it?

Estimates of pre-morbid IQ are widely used to measure the trajectory of cognitive function and decline in people with schizophrenia. This study examined the usefulness of two indices of decline to identify cognitive subtypes in first episode psychosis, and to determine the specificity of non-IQ neuropsychological impairments in this population. Neuropsychological data were collected from 118 first episode psychosis patients and compared to 118 epidemiologically matched controls. The National Adult Reading Test (NART) and the Information subtest of the WAIS-III were compared as indicators of crystallised intelligence or ‘pre-morbid IQ’. Measurement of NART minus current full scale IQ (FSIQ) (where 10 points discrepancy is the decline criterion) did not reveal a large group of individuals with ‘deteriorating’ IQ patterns. Using the Information subtest and the same decline criteria, a ‘deteriorating’ patient group emerged (36%) but was matched by a larger ‘deteriorating’ control group (45%). The ‘deteriorating’ patient group performed at a low IQ level for tasks that loaded highly on performance ability but a relatively high level for tasks measuring verbal skills. Verbal memory discriminated patients from controls better than IQ. Compared to controls, patients showed large selective impairments of verbal episodic memory (effect size, d=1.4) These data suggest that in first episode populations, caution should be exercised in inferring deterioration of IQ from discrepancies between reading-based and other IQ tests. Rather, sub-groups of patients and controls do show greater verbal aptitude in comparison to performance skills. Memory is generally impaired in first episode patients regardless of IQ.

The Impact of Emotional Abuse on Psychological Distress among Child Protective Services-Involved Adolescents with Borderline-to-Mild Intellectual Disability

Childhood maltreatment is a robust contributing factor to mental health problems in adolescents. The current study examines the impact of childhood emotional abuse on adolescent psychological distress in 48 youths with borderline-to-mild intellectual disability, as compared to 117 peers with average intellectual functioning. Both emotional abuse and intellectual functioning predicted the severity of youth psychological distress. Childhood emotional abuse has an impact on adolescent distress, and maltreated child welfare-involved youth with lower IQ levels may be more vulnerable to distress than youth with average IQ. This raises a question regarding the detection of subtle manifestations of intellectual disability and the need to attend to mental health within this subpopulation receiving child welfare services.

Child Maltreatment, Adolescent Attachment Style, and Dating Violence: Considerations in Youths with Borderline-to-Mild Intellectual Disability

One of the most salient developmental tasks of adolescence is the entry into romantic relationship, which often involves developing attachments to partners. Adolescents with a history of maltreatment have been found to be at greater risk of insecure attachments to romantic partners than non-maltreated adolescents, and the interaction of maltreatment and insecure attachment style has been linked to dating violence. The current study examined attachment styles and dating violence in child welfare-involved adolescents with borderline-to-mild intellectual disability (n = 40) and with average IQ (n = 116). Despite reporting similar experiences of childhood maltreatment, IQ was found to interact with avoidant attachment style to predict the degree of dating violence victimization and perpetration experienced by youth. It is suggested that an avoidant attachment style is a risk factor for all maltreated youth, and holds a particularly strong effect on youth with lower IQ levels. These findings highlight the need for developmentally appropriate attachment and dating violence interventions for maltreated youth.

Genotype and phenotype characterization in a large dystrophinopathic cohort with extended follow-up

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD and BMD, respectively) are allelic disorders with different clinical presentations and severity determined by mutations in the gene DMD, which encodes the sarcolemmal protein dystrophin. Diagnosis is based on clinical aspects and muscle protein analysis, followed by molecular confirmation. We revised the main aspects of the natural history of dystrophinopathies to define genotype-phenotype correlations in large patient cohorts with extended follow-up. We also specifically explored subjects carrying nucleotide substitutions in the DMD gene, a comparatively less investigated DMD/BMD subgroup. We studied 320 dystrophinopathic patients (205 DMD and 115 BMD), defining muscular, cardiac, respiratory, and cognitive involvement. We also subdivided patients according to the kind of molecular defect (deletions, duplications, nucleotide substitutions or other microrearrangements) and the mutation sites (proximal/distal to exon 45), studying phenotype-genotype correlations for each group. In DMD, mutation type did not influence clinical evolution; mutations located in distal regions (irrespective of their nature) are more likely to be associated with lower IQ levels (p = 0.005). BMD carrying proximal deletions showed a higher degree of cardiac impairment than BMD with distal deletions (p = 0.0046). In the BMD population, there was a strong correlation between the entity of muscle dystrophin deficiency and clinical course (p = 0.002). An accurate knowledge of natural history may help in the clinical management of patients. Furthermore, several clinical trials are ongoing or are currently planned, some of which aim to target specific DMD mutations: a robust natural history is therefore essential to correctly design these experimental trials.

Profile Analysis on the WISC-IV and WAIS-III in the low intellectual range: Is it valid and reliable?

This paper examines how far it is valid to generate a profile of an individual’s cognitive abilities using the WISC-IV or WAIS-III for individuals in the low ability range. Data are presented which demonstrate that the WISC-IV and WAIS-III assessments produce different cognitive profiles, when given to the same 16-year-olds who receive special education. It is suggested that at the low IQ level, subtest and index scores may lack sufficient stability for the WISC-IV or WAIS-III to produce reliable cognitive profiles.

Outcome of Extremely Premature Infants at Early School Age: Health-Related Quality of Life and Neurosensory, Cognitive, and Behavioral Outcomes in a Population-Based Sample in Northern Germany

The study aimed at collecting regional data to support and establish evidence-based decision-making. We investigated a cohort of 154 preterm infants with gestational age <27+0 weeks born between 1997 and 1999 in a defined region of Northern Germany regarding neurosensory and cognitive outcomes, overall disability status, behavioral problems, and health-related quality of life at the age of seven to nine years (mean: eight years, SD seven months). 92 (60%) infants survived, 75 of these 92 (82%) were followed-up. Rates of disability were high: only 27 (36%) showed 'no dysfunction' of neurosensory status, 33 (44%) 'mild dysfunction', 5 (7%) 'moderate dysfunction' and 10 (13%) 'severe dysfunction', including 8 (11%) with non-ambulatory cerebral palsy. 19 (26%) were mentally retarded. Parents reported behavioral problems in 21 (28%), health-related quality of life was lower in preterm infants compared to a representative normal sample. In multivariate analyses IVH III-IV/PVL was an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes. Behavior problems were predicted by low IQ and lower educational level of the mother. Overall our results confirm high levels of mortality and morbidity in extremely immature infants. Regional data should include mortality, morbidity and health-related quality of life to adequately inform parents about the prognosis.

The association between onset, frequency, duration of seizure and IQ level in epileptic children

Background Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder found inall races and age groups. Epilepsy becomes a serious problem when occurs during the child's critical development period. It is known that onset, frequency, and duration of seizures are associated with IQ level. Therefore, intelligent assessment is important to determine prognostic and holistic management.Objective To determine the association between onset, frequency, duration of seizure and IQ level in epileptic children.Methods This cross sectional study was carried out at theDepartment of Child Health, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung,Indonesia from October to December 2007. The subjects wereepileptic children aged 4-16 years old being treated with valproicacid. Statistic analysis was done using logistic regression analysis, OR and RR, with 95% confidence interval.Results There were 90 subjects with epilepsy (46 males). Twentysubjects (22%) showed onset of seizures at &lt; 18 months old; these subjects had 3.08 higher risk for having a low IQ level (score &lt;90) compared to those with seizure onset at~ 18 months old (P=0.003). Sixty subjects (67%) had a seizure frequency of&gt; 10 times annually; they had 1.68 higher risk of having a low IQcompared to those with seizure frequency&lt; 10 times (P=0.430).Seven subjects (28.0%) had seizures of&gt; 10 minutes; they had 1.17 higher risk of having a low IQ compared to those with seizures of &lt; 10 minutes (P=0.706).Conclusion Onset of seizures at &lt; 18 months old is significantlyassociated with low IQ level, while frequency and durationof seizure have no significant association with lower IQ level.