Risk Factors For Poor Performance Research Articles

Risk factors for poor performance in finger cuff non-invasive monitoring of arterial pressure: A prospective multicenter study

BackgroundCompared to the invasive technique, non-invasive monitoring of arterial pressure favors easier and faster implementation while potentially sacrificing some reliability. This may be particularly true for the Clearsight™ system (Edwards Lifesciences), which enables continuous monitoring. We evaluated the risk factors for its poor performance. MethodsPatients with an arterial catheter and stable mean arterial pressure (MAP) over a 5-min period were included. Six pairs of invasive and Clearsight measurements of MAP were collected and the bias between the two techniques was calculated. Poor performance of the Clearsight™ system was defined as either a failure to measure and display MAP or displaying an erroneous MAP (individual bias > 5 mmHg). Fingertip perfusion was assessed using the plethysmographic perfusion index (PI) and the capillary refill time (CRT). ResultsAmong 152 ICU patients (MAP of 81 ± 14 mmHg, norepinephrine in 78 [51%]), 78 (51%) experienced a poor performance of the Clearsight™ system: failure to display MAP in 19 (13%) patients, and erroneous value displayed in 59 (44%). In multivariate analysis, PI ≤ 0.85% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.94 [95% confidence interval (95%CI):1.34;6.45]), CRT > 4 s (aOR = 5.28 [95%CI 1.39;20.05]), and the presence of hand edema (aOR = 2.06 [95%CI 1.01;4.21]) were associated with a higher likelihood of poor performance. Cardiac arrhythmia (aOR = 1.39 [95%CI 0.64;3.02]) and other tested variables were not associated with poor performance. ConclusionsHalf of the included patients exhibited poor Clearsight™ system performance. Our results caution against using finger cuff arterial pressure monitoring in patients with low PI (≤0.85%), protracted CRT (>4 s), or hand edema. RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04269382, Dr. G. Muller, February 13, 2020. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04269382.

Efficacy, Convenience, Safety and Durability of DTG-Based Antiretroviral Therapies: Evidence from a Prospective Study by the Italian MaSTER Cohort.

Background: Dolutegravir (DTG) is recommended by international guidelines as a main component of an optimal initial regimen of cART (combination antiretroviral treatment) in people living with HIV (PLWH) and in case of switching for failure or optimization strategies. However, studies on the performance of DTG-containing regimens and indications for switching therapies in the long term are sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the performance of DTG-based regimens, using the metrics of "efficacy", "safety", "convenience" and ''durability'', among a nationally representative cohort of PLWH in Italy. Methods: We selected all PLWH in four centers of the MaSTER cohort who initiated a DTG-based regimen either when naïve or following a regimen switch between 11 July 2018 and 2 July 2021. Participants were followed until the outcomes were recorded or until the end of the study on 4 August 2022, whichever occurred first. Interruption was reported even when a participant switched to another DTG-containing regimen. Survival regression models were fitted to evaluate associations between therapy performance and age, sex, nationality, risk of HIV transmission, HIV RNA suppression status, CD4+ T-cell count, year of HIV diagnosis, cART status (naïve or experienced), cART backbone and viral hepatitis coinfection. Results: There were 371 participants in our cohort who initiated a DTG-based cART regimen in the time frame of the study. The population was predominantly male (75.2%), of Italian nationality (83.3%), with a history of cART use (80.9%), and the majority initiated a DTG-based regimen following a switch strategy in 2019 (80.1%). Median age was 53 years (interquartile range (IQR): 45-58). Prior cART regimen was based mostly on a combination of NRTI drugs plus a PI-boosted drug (34.2%), followed by a combination of NRTIs plus an NNRTI (23.5%). Concerning the NRTI backbone, the majority comprised 3TC plus ABC (34.5%), followed by 3TC alone (28.6%). The most reported transmission risk factor was heterosexual intercourse (44.2%). Total interruptions of the first DTG-based regimen were registered in 58 (15.6%) participants. The most frequent reason for interruption was due to cART simplification strategies, which accounted for 52%. Only 1 death was reported during the study period. The median time of total follow-up was 556 days (IQR: 316.5-722.5). Risk factors for poor performance of DTG-containing-regimens were found to be: a backbone regimen containing tenofovir, being cART naïve, having detectable HIV RNA at baseline, FIB-4 score above 3.25 and having a cancer diagnosis. By contrast, protective factors were found to be: higher CD4+ T-cell counts and higher CD4/CD8 ratio at baseline. Conclusion: DTG-based regimens were used mainly as a switching therapy in our cohort of PLWH who had undetectable HIV RNA and a good immune status. In this type of population, the durability of DTG-based regimens was maintained in 84.4% of participants with a modest incidence of interruptions mostly due to cART simplification strategies. The results of this prospective real-life study confirm the apparent low risk of changing DTG-containing regimens due to virological failure. They may also help physicians to identify people with increased risk of interruption for different reasons, suggesting targeted medical interventions.

Development, Validation, and Reliability of a P1 Objective Structured Clinical Examination Assessing the National EPAs

ObjectiveTo document the performance of first-year pharmacy students on a revised objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) based on national entrustable professional activities, identify risk factors for poor performance, and assess its validity and reliability. MethodsA working group developed the OSCE to verify students’ progress toward readiness for advanced pharmacy practice experiences at the L1 level of entrustment (ready for thoughtful observation) on the national entrustable professional activities, with stations cross-mapped to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education educational outcomes. Baseline characteristics and academic performance were used to investigate risk factors for poor performance and validity, respectively, by comparing students who were successful on the first attempt with those who were not. Reliability was evaluated using re-grading by a blinded, independent grader, and analyzed using Cohen’s kappa. ResultsA total of 65 students completed the OSCE. Of these, 33 (50.8%) successfully completed all stations on first attempt, and 32 (49.2%) had to re-attempt at least 1 station. Successful students had higher Health Sciences Reasoning Test scores (mean difference 5, 95% CI 2–9). First professional year grade point average was higher for students who passed all stations on first attempt (mean difference 0.4 on a 4-point scale, 95% CI 0.1–0.7). When evaluated in a multiple logistic regression, no differences were statistically significant between groups. Most kappa values were above 0.4 (range 0.404–0.708), suggesting moderate to substantial reliability. ConclusionThough predictors of poor performance were not identified when accounting for covariates, the OSCE was found to have good validity and reliability.

P148 Work Ability Index (WAI) as a suitable instrument to assess work ability among IBD patients

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) is a chronic disease usually diagnosed in early adulthood and characterized by unpredictable flare-ups and debilitating symptoms that can interfere with the patient's ability to work and perform daily activities. In fact, since work disability is difficult to quantify, several scores have been developed for this purpose. The Work Ability Index(WAI) is a validated practical tool to measure the work capacity of patients. The objective of this study was to assess work performance in patients followed for IBD using the WAI psychometric tool, and to identify predictive factors of work disability. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including working patients followed for IBD, over a 9-months period. We collected sociodemographic, clinico-biological and evolutionary data. Quality of life was assessed by the IBDQ questionnairy. Work capacity was assessed using the WAI, a short 7-item questionnairy, which classified work performance into four categories: poor (score between 7-27), moderate(28-36), good(37-43) and excellent(44-49). Results We included 45 patients: 80% Crohn disease and 20% ulcerative colitis. The mean age was 44 years[20-72], the sex-ratio M/F was 0.7, and the mean of follow-up time was 9 years[1-18]. The average number of working hours per week was 38.84 [9-60]. The mean absenteeism during the last twelve months was 49.6 days [0-240] and the average number of hospitalization days was 30.7 [0-150]. The mean WAI value was 32.58, which corresponds to a moderate work performance. Assessment of work performance according to the WAI questionnaire showed that 38% of patients (N=17) had poor work ability, 24% (N=11) moderate work ability, 33% (N=15) good work ability and only two patients had an excellent work ability. In univariate and multivariate study, predictive factors of disability at work in IBD patients were: Furthermore, the assessment of health-related quality of life by the IBDQ questionnairy showed a mean IBDQ value of 160.78 which corresponds to a moderate score relating a quality of life; 224 being the maximum score obtainable reflecting an optimal quality of life. In the analytical study and using Spearman's test, a statistically significant correlation was found between the WAI and IBDQ with a p-value <0.0001 and a correlation coefficient r=0.7, reflecting the impact of work life on quality of life. Conclusion In our study, one third of patients had poor work capacity. Risk factors for poor performance were disease severity, presence of osteoarticular extraintestinal manifestation, and patients with children. The only protective factor identified was a high level of education. Thus, the Work Ability Index can be used as a screening tool to identify the need for rehabilitation.

Effects of daytime hypercapnia on logical memory and working memory in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective: To investigate the effects of daytime hypercapnia on logical memory and working memory in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods: This prospective study recruited patients complaining of snoring and diagnosed with OSAHS at the Sleep Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January to November 2020. Patients were assessed clinically and scored for their memory function. All patients underwent daytime transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtcCO2) test, and overnight polysomnography (PSG). Logical memory was scored using the Logical Memory Test (LMT), while working memory was evaluated by Digit Span Test (DST) and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) which included Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM), Spatial Span (SSP), and Spatial Working Memory (SWM). Patients were divided into the normocapnic group and the hypercapnic group using the daytime PtcCO2 test. The clinical and PSG parameters and the memory test scores between the two groups were compared. Binary logistic stepwise regression was conducted to identify risk factors of memory impairment in OSAHS patients. Results: Among the 123 enrolled OSAHS patients, 79 were normocapnic and 44 were hypercapnic. There was no significant difference in the general clinical parameters between the two groups. The snoring history in years in the hypercapnic group was longer than that in the normocapnic group (P<0.05). Compared with the normocapnic group, the apnea-hyponea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and percentage of total sleep time with oxygen saturation level<90% (TS90) of the hypercapnic group were higher (all P<0.05), while other PSG parameters exhibited no statistically significant differences. There was no statistically significant difference in the immediate logical memory and PRM immediate accuracy rate between the two groups, while the delayed logical memory, verbal and spatial working memory, and executive function were worse in the hypercapnic group, as shown by lower total LMT scores, lower DST, lower SSP scores (all P<0.05), and higher between errors and strategy scores (P<0.01) of SWM in the hypercapnic group. Binary logistic stepwise regression showed that PtcCO2 ≥45 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, OR=3.055, 95%CI 1.359-6.868, P=0.007) and higher body mass index (BMI) (OR=1.132, 95%CI 1.005-1.275, P=0.041) were risk factors for poor performance in Digit Span Backwards Test. Therefore, PtcCO2 ≥45 mmHg was an independent risk factors for poor performance in delayed LMT, SSP, and between errors and strategy scores in SWM (OR=3.109, 3.941, 3.238 and 2.785, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusion: Hypercapnia had negative impacts on logical memory and working memory of OSAHS patients, especially on the delayed logical memory, verbal working memory and spatial working memory impairment.

Effect of hyperuricemia on functional outcomes and complications in patients with elbow stiffness after open arthrolysis combined with hinged external fixation: a retrospective study

Hyperuricemia is considered a risk factor for increased postoperative complications and adverse functional outcomes in a variety of orthopedic surgeries. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of patients with different uric acid levels after elbow arthrolysis. The study included 131 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness who underwent arthrolysis between March 2014 and March 2016. All patients were divided into 4 groups based on the preoperative serum level of uric acid (UA). The quartile method was used for grouping patients, including 33 in Q1 (UA <293 μmol/L), 34 in Q2 (293-348 μmol/L), 32 in Q3 (348-441 μmol/L), and 32 in Q4 (441-710 μmol/L). At baseline and each time point of follow-up, functional performance, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, visual analog scalefor pain, and complications were evaluated. Preoperative data were not significantly different among the 4 groups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4). At the final follow-up, the following data showed significant differences among the 4 groups: extension (P = .031), flexion (P = .008), range of motion(P = .003), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (P = .011), and visual analog scale (P = .032). Interestingly, patients in the Q4 group had the poorest clinical outcomes. However, no significant differences were found among the 4 groups in new onset or exacerbation of nerve symptoms (P = .919), reduced muscle strength (P = .536), instability (P = .567), or infection (P = .374) at the last follow-up. This study confirms that in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness, abnormal serum uric acid metabolism was a risk factor for poor performance and postoperative pain after arthrolysis. Therefore, detecting the preoperative serum uric acid levels of the patients would be helpful for evaluating the postoperative outcomes.

Providing Compassionate Off-Ramps for Medical Students Is a Moral Imperative.

It is highly unusual for learners to leave medical training in the United States even though some individuals' goals may change and others may not achieve expected competence. There are a number of possible reasons for this: (1) Students may feel that they have progressed too far into their careers and amassed too much debt to leave medical training; (2) students may be allowed to graduate despite marginal performance; and (3) students may have entered medical training with risk factors for poor performance that were not addressed. As stewards of the educational process, medical educators have an ethical obligation to students and the public to create off-ramps, or points along the educational continuum at which learners can reassess their goals and educators can assess competence, that allow students to leave medicine.Given the nationwide focus on physician health and wellness, the authors believe the creation of options to leave medical training without compromising one's self-esteem or incurring unmanageable debt (i.e., compassionate off-ramps) is a moral imperative. The practice of medicine should not be an exercise in survival; it should allow people to develop and thrive over the course of their careers. Offering students options to make use of the medical competencies they have accumulated in other attractive careers would enable medical educators to behave compassionately toward individual students and fulfill their societal obligation to graduate competent and committed physicians. To this end, the authors present six recommendations for consideration.

Recruit Fitness as a Predictor of Police Academy Graduation.

BackgroundSuboptimal recruit fitness may be a risk factor for poor performance, injury, illness, and lost time during police academy training.AimsTo assess the probability of successful completion and graduation from a police academy as a function of recruits’ baseline fitness levels at the time of academy entry.MethodsRetrospective study where all available records from recruit training courses held (2006–2012) at all Massachusetts municipal police academies were reviewed and analysed. Entry fitness levels were quantified from the following measures, as recorded at the start of each training class: body composition, push-ups, sit-ups, sit-and-reach, and 1.5-mile run-time. The primary outcome of interest was the odds of not successfully graduating from an academy. We used generalized linear mixed models in order to fit logistic regression models with random intercepts for assessing the probability of not graduating, based on entry-level fitness. The primary analyses were restricted to recruits with complete entry-level fitness data.ResultsThe fitness measures most strongly associated with academy failure were lesser number of push-ups completed (odds ratio [OR] = 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–11.7, for 20 versus 41–60 push-ups) and slower run times (OR = 3.8, 95% CI 1.8–7.8, [1.5 mile run time of ≥15′20″] versus [12′33″ to 10′37″]).ConclusionsBaseline pushups and 1.5-mile run-time showed the best ability to predict successful academy graduation, especially when considered together. Future research should include prospective validation of entry-level fitness as a predictor of subsequent police academy success.

Associations between cortical thickness and neurocognitive skills during childhood vary by family socioeconomic factors

Studies have reported associations between cortical thickness (CT) and socioeconomic status (SES), as well as between CT and cognitive outcomes. However, findings have been mixed as to whether CT explains links between SES and cognitive performance. In the current study, we hypothesized that this inconsistency may have arisen from the fact that socioeconomic factors (family income and parental education) may moderate the relation between CT and neurocognitive skills. Results indicated that associations between CT and cognitive performance did vary by SES for both language and executive function (EF) abilities. Across all ages, there was a negative correlation between CT and cognitive skills, with thinner cortices associated with higher language and EF scores. Similarly, across all cognitive skills, children from higher-SES homes outperformed their age-matched peers from lower-SES homes. Moderation analyses indicated that the impact of SES was not constant across CT, with SES more strongly predictive of EF skills among children with thicker cortices and more strongly predictive of language skills among children with thinner cortices. This suggests that socioeconomic advantage may in some cases buffer against a neurobiological risk factor for poor performance. These findings suggest that links between brain structure and cognitive processes vary by family socioeconomic circumstance.

Translation and adaptation of the action control scale aimed at nursing care

The study aimed to describe the of translation and adaptation phases of the questionnaire HAKEMP 90 to the Brazilian version. Derived from the Action Control Theory, the questionnaire consists of 36 items that identify the orientation towards action or state. The Spanish version was translated into Portuguese, back-translated into Spanish, reassessed by bilingual translators and tested in five nursing students. In the Brazilian version, the questionnaire kept the original format and nine items underwent replacement of terms for semantic equivalence. The fundamental concepts to investigate the action or state were kept in all stages. The cross-cultural adaptation to Portuguese language resulted in an appropriate tool, with understanding and agreement between the items. The adapted questionnaire represented a valuable resource for the student's success as a diagnostic tool, by enabling the early detection of risk factors for poor performance in specific situations.

Migrationshintergrund als Einflussfaktor auf die kindliche Entwicklung im Einschulungsalter - ein multivariates Modell

There is an increasing awareness for the role of a migration background regarding health over the past years in Germany. Descriptive data show that children from families with a migration background score significantly lower in developmental screening tests at school-enrolment compared to their peers of German origin. The analyses presented here examine the impact of a migration background on child development in the context of additional factors of influence. Data are from the routine examina-tion at school-enrolment in Berlin in 2010 and 2011 (N=54 818). Because of the multicollinearity of migration background and the German language skills of the child and its parents these variables are combined to one variable. Multiple regression models are conducted with 'poor performance in 2 or more developmental domains' as the dependent variable and the migration variables as the independent variable controlled for sociodemographic and other relevant predictor variables. The strongest predictor variable is the socioeconomic status of the family (OR 5.8). A migration background is only a predictor in combination with insufficient German language skills of child or parent (OR 1.6) and insufficient German language skills of child and parent (OR 5.3) respectively. Furthermore, very low birth weight children (birth weight < 1 500 g) are at risk for poor performance in 2 or more developmental domains (OR 4.2). Having spent not more than 2 years in day care (OR 1.6), living with a single parent and missing the preventive health check-up at the age of 4 (so called U8) have only a weak significant impact (OR 1.2 each). Electronic media exposure (television, computer) is no significant risk factor in our analyses. The analyses show that migration background is not a risk factor for poor performance in developmental tests per se, but is attributed to the higher proportion of families with a low socioeconomic status in this group and with insufficient German language skills. This emphasizes the importance of support for socially disadvantaged children in general and for comprehensive promotion of German language skills for children and their parents from foreign origin.

Adherence to hand hygiene and risk factors for poor adherence in 13 Ontario acute care hospitals

Multicenter studies assessing hand hygiene adherence and risk factors for poor performance are scarce. In an observational study involving 13 hospitals across Ontario, Canada, we found a mean adherence rate of 31.2%, and that adherence was positively associatedwith nurses, single rooms, contact precautions, and the availability of alcohol hand rub dispensers.

Sleep duration, wake/sleep symptoms, and academic performance in Hong Kong Secondary School Children

Sleep deprivation is common among teenagers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep duration, wake/sleep symptoms, and academic performance among Hong Kong students. The sleep habit questionnaires were distributed to all Year 11 students at an international school that catered to different ethnic groups in Hong Kong. Analysis of various parameters of academic performance and sleep habits and their relationships were undertaken. Fifty-nine students were recruited. The average sleep duration in this group was 7.23 h. The overall prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (defined as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of >10) was 25.4%. Eleven subjects had excessive class sleepiness, defined as high likelihood to fall asleep during at least one school session. Mathematics performance was positively correlated with sleep duration. Excessive sleepiness on rising was identified as a significant risk factor for poor performance in English and Mathematics. Sleepiness during the third and fourth lessons was identified as a significant risk factor for poor performance in Mathematics only. Sleep deprivation was common in the studied cohort and it was associated with a decrease in Mathematics performance. Excessive sleepiness on rising and sleepiness during third and fourth lessons were associated with poorer grades in Mathematics and English. Excessive daytime sleepiness was reported in 25% of students. Bruxism and snoring were associated with excessive daytime sleepiness.

Risk factors for poor performance on the undergraduate medical course: cohort study at Nottingham University

To determine the risk factors for poor performance at different stages of the undergraduate medical course. Longitudinal retrospective cohort study of progress on a 5-year undergraduate medical course. The University of Nottingham medical school. All students (594) who joined the course in 3 consecutive years were followed throughout their course until graduation, even if this was delayed. Risk factors for poor performance varied at different stages on the course. Students with lower A levels were at increased risk throughout, but primarily in the pre-clinical course. Non-white ethnicity was also a risk factor, independent of domicile, but this was associated more strongly with lower marks on the clinical course. Males and those who received a later offer of a place were at some risk throughout the course. Overall attrition from the course was 5%, and 34/594 students (6%) spent more than the normal 5 years on the course. School performance remains an important indicator of ability to cope with the pre-clinical course. Further research is required to understand why ethnic minority students may be more at risk at all stages, but particularly in the clinical course, and to increase their use of existing support services if necessary.

Effects of physical activity on cognitive functioning in middle age: evidence from the Whitehall II prospective cohort study.

We examined the association between physical activity and cognitive functioning in middle age. Data were derived from a prospective occupational cohort study of 10308 civil servants aged 35-55 years at baseline (phase 1; 1985-1988). Physical activity level, categorized as low, medium, or high, was assessed at phases 1, 3 (1991-1994), and 5 (1997-1999). Cognitive functioning was tested at phase 5, when respondents were 46-68 years old. In both prospective (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.30, 2.10) and cross-sectional (OR=1.79; 95% CI=1.38, 2.32) analyses, low levels of physical activity were a risk factor for poor performance on a measure of fluid intelligence. Analyses aimed at assessing cumulative effects (summary of physical activity levels at the 3 time points) showed a graded linear relationship with fluid intelligence, with persistently low levels of physical activity being particularly harmful (OR=2.21; 95% CI=1.37, 3.57). Low levels of physical activity are a risk factor for cognitive functioning in middle age, fluid intelligence in particular.

COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN PEDIATRIC LIVER TRANSPLANT (LT) RECIPIENTS

20 Most childhood LT recipients resume their education in regular classrooms. Previous studies have suggested that some may have delays or deficits in cognitive ability resulting in poor academic performance. The purpose of this study was to measure cognitive ability and academic achievement in children who are long-term survivors of LT, compare their function to a control group of children with chronic illness, and attempt to identify risk factors which may predispose them to poor educational outcomes. Methods: The study group included 20 children ages 4 - 12 yrs. and at least two years post LT. The control group included 15 children with cystic fibrosis (CF), matched to the study group for age, educating and parental education. Each child was tested for IQ (WISC-III or WPPSI-R), language skills (CELF-R or CELF-P) and academic achievement (Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-Revised). Risk factors evaluated included; age at LT, UNOS status, number of grafts, days in ICU, hospital days the first year, and pre-transplant labs. Results: The mean age of the LT group was 6.95±2.11 yrs. and mean age at LT was 2.4± 2.8 yrs. Indicators for LT were Biliary Atresia (n=16), biliary cirrhosis (n=4). 5 had received multiple grafts. The mean Full Scale IQ of the LT group was 91.2± 19.1 (range 60-123,4 patients had FSIQ < 70), CF groupmean 99.3±17.7; p=NS. There was, however, a trend toward lower Verbal IQ scores in the LT vs. the CF group, mean 88.4±19.4 vs. 99.5±17.9; p<0.09. Achievement scores were within the average range and did not differ from the CF group. Total Language Scores were lower in the LT vs. CF group, mean standard score 79.5±14.6 vs. 90.9±16.5; p<0.05, with receptive language showing the most difference, LT group 82.3±15.7, CF group 95.9±16.9; p<0.03. Serum total bilirubin pretransplant was negatively correlated with Verbal IQ p<0.02 and expressive language p<0.03.No other risk factors for poor performance were identified. When children with multiple transplants were excluded from analysis, hospital days the first year after transplant negatively correlated with Verbal IQ p<0.0004, receptive language p<0.006, math p<0.003 and writing p<0.03 skills, and expressive language p<0.03. Conclusion: Most children who have survived liver transplantation do not have obvious cognitive deficits. However, when compared to children with cystic fibrosis, they have lower Verbal IQ and receptive language scores. Pre-transplant bilirubin level and duration of hospitalization after LT may predict which patients are most likely to experience speech and language difficulties.