Significant Difference In Intelligence Quotient Research Articles

Clinical Analysis of Lacosamide Monotherapy in the Treatment of Self-Limited Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lacosamide (LCM) monotherapy in the treatment of self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS). In this study, 89 children with SeLECTS who were treated with LCM monotherapy in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from June 2019 to June 2021 were included. Clinical seizures and spike wave index (SWI) on video EEG during slow-wave sleep were evaluated before and after treatment. The role of LCM monotherapy in improving SWI, controlling clinical seizures and improving cognition was analyzed, and corresponding adverse reactions were documented. There were 52 males and 37 females in this group, with an average age of 7.6 ± 2.1 years. The total effective rate was 93.83% and at 18 months of treatment, the cumulative control rate was 85.19%, the retention rate was 91.01% and the effective rate in terms of EEG spike index was 72.92%, all of which showed a high rate; there was no statistically significant difference in intelligence quotient before and after treatment (P > 0.05). In addition, it was found in the study that the earlier the age of onset, the less obvious the improvement in SWI after LCM treatment; the lower the baseline seizure frequency, the more significant the improvement in SWI after LCM treatment. LCM monotherapy had curative effect and adverse reactions for SeLECTS, with no negative impact on cognition. These significant findings indicate that LCM is likely to become a widely prescribed ASM for the treatment of SeLECTS. Meanwhile, the onset age and baseline seizure frequency had certain value in judging prognosis and predicting curative effect.

No Clinically Relevant Memory Effects in Perinatal Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia: A 40-Year Follow-Up of a Small Cohort.

Maternal diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is associated with impairments in memory functions of the offspring in childhood and adolescence but has not been studied in adulthood. The association of perinatal hypoglycemia with memory has not been studied in adulthood either. The combined sequelae of these two risk factors have not been directly compared. We studied general cognitive ability and memory functions in a prospective follow-up of a cohort born in 1971 to 1974. The sample included participants exposed to prenatal hyperglycemia (n = 24), perinatal hypoglycemia (n = 19), or both (n = 7). It also included controls with no early risks (n = 82). We assessed the participants' Intelligence quotient (IQ), working memory, and immediate and delayed recall of both verbal and visual material at the age of 40. We did not find significant differences in IQ or the memory tests between the groups. We did identify an interaction (p = 0.03) of the early risk with the type of digit span task: compared to the controls, the participants exposed to perinatal hypoglycemia had a larger difference between the forward digit span, a measure of attention, and the backward digit span, a measure of working memory processing (p = 0.022). The interaction remained significant when birth weight was controlled for (p = 0.026). Thus, in this small cohort, prenatal hyperglycemia, perinatal hypoglycemia, and their combination appeared relatively benign disorders. The association of these conditions with neurocognitive impairments in adulthood remains unconfirmed. The significance of the working memory difference needs to be verified with a larger sample.

Cognitive and behavioural outcome of children born after IVF at age 9 years.

STUDY QUESTIONDo ovarian stimulation (OS) and the in vitro laboratory procedures affect offsprings’ cognitive and behavioural outcome at 9 years?SUMMARY ANSWEROS and the in vitro laboratory procedures or the combination of both were not associated with cognitive and behavioural outcome at age 9 years.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYART is not associated with an adverse short-term developmental outcome of the offspring, but limited knowledge is available on the offspring’s long-term neurodevelopmental condition.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONA 9-year longitudinal, assessor-blinded, prospective follow-up study of 169 out of 215 singletons (79%) born between March 2005 and December 2006 was performed.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSSingletons born following IVF or ICSI with OS (n = 57), born after modified natural cycle IVF/ICSI (MNC-IVF/ICSI; n = 46) and born after natural conception to subfertile couples (Sub-NC; n = 66), were assessed at 9 years. This study design, with two ART groups and a subfertile reference group, allows for disentangling the effects of OS and ART procedures on developmental outcome. Cognitive outcome was evaluated with the Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence and the NEPSY-II. Behaviour was assessed with the child behaviour checklist (CBCL) and teacher report form (TRF). Univariable analyses and multiple linear regression models were used.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEThere was no significant difference in intelligence quotient (IQ) scores between ART groups (mean IQ (95% CI): OS 114.8 (83.2–142.6); MNC 114.0 (90.2–140.8); Sub-NC 115.4 (87.9–141.2), P = 0.746). Multivariable analyses did not reveal a statistically significant association between ART group and total, verbal and performance IQ. CBCL and TRF scores did not differ significantly between ART groups (P = 0.090 and 0.507, respectively). Multivariable analyses did not demonstrate a statistically significant association between ART group and CBCL and TRF total, or internalising and externalising T-scores. No significant correlations between time to pregnancy (TTP)—a proxy for the severity of parental subfertility—and outcome measures were found (Spearman rho between −0.050 and 0.049, NS), which was confirmed with multivariable analyses.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONThe attrition rate of 21% may be considered as a limitation of the study; however, after a follow-up period of 9 years, this rate is generally considered acceptable, and there were no significant differences in background characteristics between children with and without follow-up, making an attrition-related selection bias less likely. Another limitation of the study is the relatively small sample size, which could contribute to selection bias, hamper generalizability to the ART population and lead to false negative findings as a result of underpowering. An a priori power analysis on total IQ indicated that the OS-IVF/ICSI and Sub-NC groups should contain 64 children, confirming that our study including 57 and 66 children, respectively, was slightly underpowered.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSOur study indicated that OS and the in vitro laboratory procedures or the combination of both and TTP were not associated with cognitive and behavioural outcome at 9 years. These are reassuring results for both parents and clinicians involved in ART.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)The study was financially supported by the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), two graduate schools of the UMCG (BCN and SHARE) and the Cornelia Stichting. The sponsors of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Breast Milk and Intellectual Development among Preschool Children attending a Rural Family Healthcare Unit, El Bagour District, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract: Background:There are several potential mechanisms linking breastfeeding with enhanced neurodevelopment in infancy. Breast milk contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which are structural lipids critical for retina and cortical brain development in early life.Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between breastfeeding and the intellectual development. Methods:A retrospective study involving 350 preschool children( aged two years and six months till the age of five years) attending Kafr El-Khadra family health unit ,El Bagour district, Menoufia governorate, Egypt during the period of data collection (three months). They were subjected to a semistructured questionnaire from the mothers and their intellectual development were assessed using Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale questionnaire for children 2013(WPPSI) Results:This study revealed that out of 350 studied preschool children, 154 children (44%) had an average intelligence quotient (IQ) while 4 children (1.1%) had an extremely low IQ and one child (0.3%) had very superior IQ. There were high statistically significant difference in IQ of studied children as regard exclusivity of breastfeeding and types of feeding either artificially or breast feeding (P value <0.001). Also, this study shows that there was statistically significant association between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and IQ of the studied children (P value <0.001). Conclusion:There is a significant association between breast milk and intellectual development of children. Therefore, the support of breastfeeding should be seriously viewed as a major public health issue.

Mean high-dose L-thyroxine treatment is efficient and safe to achieve a normal IQ in young adult patients with congenital hypothyroidism

Context The optimal levothyroxine (LT4) dose to treat congenital hypothyroidism (CH) remains unclear, with debate over whether higher starting doses (>10 µg/kg) are necessary and safe for a normal intelligence quotient (IQ). Objective To examine psychomotor, metabolic, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with CH treated with a mean high initial LT4 dose. Design, settings, participants A cross-sectional cohort study of patients with CH identified in the Berlin newborn screening program from 1979 to 2003; 76 patients with CH (mean age, 18 years; mean initial LT4 dose, 13.5 µg/kg) and 40 siblings completed the study. Main outcome measures Psychomotor (Wechsler Intelligence Test, CNS Vital Signs), QoL (short form-36 Health Survey), anthropometric (body mass index, height), and metabolic (intima media thickness, laboratory parameters) outcomes were compared with those of healthy siblings. Mean values and percentage of episodes of elevated thyroxine (T4) and tri-jod-thyronin (T3) and suppressed thyrotropin (TSH) before age 2 years were analyzed. A meta-analysis of CH treatment studies was performed. Results There were no significant differences in IQ, QoL, or other outcome measures in patients with CH compared with controls. Most T4 levels were high before age 2 years and during subsequent testing, but mean T3 and TSH levels remained normal. The meta-analysis showed a significant IQ difference in severe vs mild CH cases only when treatment started with an LT4 dose Conclusions High initial LT4 dosing was effective and safely achieved optimal cognitive development in patients with CH, including those severely affected. Supranormal T4 values during infancy were not associated with impaired IQ in adolescence.

Mean High-Dose l-Thyroxine Treatment Is Efficient and Safe to Achieve a Normal IQ in Young Adult Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism.

The optimal levothyroxine (LT4) dose to treat congenital hypothyroidism (CH) remains unclear, with debate over whether higher starting doses (>10 µg/kg) are necessary and safe for a normal intelligence quotient (IQ). To examine psychomotor, metabolic, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with CH treated with a mean high initial LT4 dose. A cross-sectional cohort study of patients with CH identified in the Berlin newborn screening program from 1979 to 2003; 76 patients with CH (mean age, 18 years; mean initial LT4 dose, 13.5 µg/kg) and 40 siblings completed the study. Psychomotor (Wechsler Intelligence Test, CNS Vital Signs), QoL (short form-36 Health Survey), anthropometric (body mass index, height), and metabolic (intima media thickness, laboratory parameters) outcomes were compared with those of healthy siblings. Mean values and percentage of episodes of elevated thyroxine (T4) and tri-jod-thyronin (T3) and suppressed thyrotropin (TSH) before age 2 years were analyzed. A meta-analysis of CH treatment studies was performed. There were no significant differences in IQ, QoL, or other outcome measures in patients with CH compared with controls. Most T4 levels were high before age 2 years and during subsequent testing, but mean T3 and TSH levels remained normal. The meta-analysis showed a significant IQ difference in severe vs mild CH cases only when treatment started with an LT4 dose <10 µg/kg. High initial LT4 dosing was effective and safely achieved optimal cognitive development in patients with CH, including those severely affected. Supranormal T4 values during infancy were not associated with impaired IQ in adolescence.

Comparing Intelligence Quotient (IQ)among 3 to 7-year-old strabismic and nonstrabismic children in an Iranian population

This study was designed to compare the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) among 3 to 7-year-old strabismic and nonstrabismic children in an Iranian population.In this cross-sectional study, 108 preschool children with equal numbers of strabismic/non-strabismic disorder (age 3–7 years) were randomly selected from exceptional strabismus clinics of Ahvaz and were evaluated with the preschool and primary scale of intelligence versions of Wechsler (WPPSI).In the current study, 108 children were evaluated. In strabismic patients the mean performance, verbal and total IQ were 89.46±19.79, 89.57±21.57 and 91.54±22.08 respectively. These mean scores in normal children were 91.89±47.53, 87.56±15.6 and 89.96±17.62consecuently. The results showed that these three different IQ subscales were not significantly different among 3 to 7 years old strabismic and nonstrabismic children ((P>0.05 for all comparisons). There was no significant difference in IQ between two sexes (P>0.05) while Persian tribe children had greater IQ score compared to other tribes (P<0.05). Also, higher paternal educational status of children related to higher IQ score. IQ score was better in combined deviations and was higher in exotropes than esotropes; however, these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05).In this evaluation, we did not found a significant negative interference of strabismus on IQ score of preschool children. It can be concluded that paternal educational level and tribe have a significant effect on intelligent quotient, while this is not the case on sex and ocular deviation.

Comparison of intelligence, weight and height in children after general anesthesia with and without perioperative desaturation in non-cardiac surgery: a historical and concurrent follow-up study

PurposeTo determine whether perioperative desaturation (PD) in preschool children undergoing non-cardiac surgery is associated with subsequent impairment of intelligence or subsequent change in age-specific weight and height percentile.MethodA historical-concurrent follow-up study was conducted in children aged ≤ 60 months who underwent general anesthesia (GA) for non-cardiac surgery between January 2008 and December 2011 at Songklanagarind Hospital. Children who developed PD (PD group) and children who did not develop perioperative respiratory events (no-PRE group) were matched on sex, age, year of having index GA, type of surgery and choice of anesthesia. The children’s age-specific weight and height percentile and intelligence quotient (IQ) scores by Standford Binet-LM or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition 12–60 months after GA were compared using Student’s t- test and Wilcoxon’s rank sum test. Multivariate linear regression models for standardized IQ and multivariate mixed effects linear regression models for the change of age-specific weight and height percentile from the time of index GA to the time of IQ test were performed to identify independent predictors. The coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were displayed and considered significant if the F test p-values were < 0.05.ResultsOf 103 subjects in each group (PD vs no-PRE), there were no statistically significant differences in IQ (94.7 vs 98.3, p = 0.13), standardized IQ (−0.1 vs 0.1, p = 0.14) or age-specific weight percentile (38th vs 63th, p = 0.06). However, age-specific height percentile in the PD group at the time of IQ test was significantly lower (38th vs 50th, p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, PD was not a significant predictor for standardized IQ (coefficient: −0.06, 95% CI: −0.3, 0.19, p = 0.57), change in age-specific weight percentile (coefficient: 4.66, 95% CI: −2.63, 11.95, p = 0.21) or change in age-specific height percentile (coefficient: −1.65, 95% CI: −9.74, 6.44, p = 0.69) from the time of index GA to the time of IQ test after adjusting for family and anesthesia characteristics.ConclusionOur study could not demonstrate any serious effect of PD on subsequent intelligence or on the change in age-specific weight and height percentile of children after non-cardiac surgery.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-164) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Correlation between Intelligence Quotient and the Level of Improvement of Autistic Children

Background and Aims: Autism in children is known to affect brain systems implicated in cognitive, communication, social functioning and intelligence. Although autism is a neurobiological disorder, behavioral interventions are currently the primary treatments for individuals with autism. The objective of the present study was to identify the correlation between intelligent quotient and the level of improvement of autistic children. Materials and Methods: A descriptive design was carried out in the rehabilitation clinic for children with autism at psychiatric research unit-Mosul Medical College / University of Mosul. Data were collected by using Childhood Autism Rating scale (CARS) and I.Q was measured by Stanford-Binet scale in order to achieve the objectives of the present study. A pre-test was carried out on children with autism who participated in the rehabilitation program. The childhood autism rating scale was used for this purpose. After five months, post-test was administered for autistic children to identify the effects of caregivers' techniques and interventions on the children with autism disorders. The subjects of the studywere consisted of the 30 children who were received interventions at the rehabilitation clinic for autistic children. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Results: The study revealed that most autistic children who participated in the study had learning disabilities and low moderate intelligence quotient, they accounted 33.3% and 27.7%, respectively. The study confirmed that the children’s I.Q had highly significant difference regarding improvement. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was significant difference in intelligence quotient between pre and post intervention levels of autism (improvement). Keywords: Autism, Intelligence Quotient, Interventions, Improvement.

Impact of Low Blood Lead Concentrations on IQ and School Performance in Chinese Children

ObjectivesExamine the relationships between blood lead concentrations and children's intelligence quotient (IQ) and school performance.Participants and MethodsParticipants were 1341 children (738 boys and 603 girls) from Jintan, China. Blood lead concentrations were measured when children were 3–5 years old. IQ was assessed using the Chinese version and norms of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised when children were 6 years old. School performance was assessed by standardized city tests on 3 major subjects (Chinese, Math, and English [as a foreign language]) when children were age 8–10 years.ResultsMean blood lead concentration was 6.43 µg/dL (SD = 2.64). For blood lead concentrations, 7.8% of children (n = 105) had ≥10.0 µg/dL, 13.8% (n = 185) had 8.0 to <10.0 µg/dL, and 78.4% (n = 1051) had <8.0 µg/dL. Compared to children with blood lead concentrations <8 µg/dL, those with blood lead concentrations ≥8 µg/dL scored 2–3 points lower in IQ and 5–6 points lower in school tests. There were no significant differences in IQ or school tests between children with blood lead concentrations groups 8–10 and ≥10 µg/dL. After adjustment for child and family characteristics and IQ, blood lead concentrations ≥10 µg/dL vs <8 µg/dL at ages 3–5 years was associated with reduced scores on school tests at age 8–10 years (Chinese, β = −3.54, 95%CI = −6.46, −0.63; Math, β = −4.63, 95%CI = −7.86, −1.40; English, β = −4.66, 95%CI = −8.09, −1.23). IQ partially mediated the relationship between elevated blood lead concentrations and later school performance.ConclusionsFindings support that blood lead concentrations in early childhood, even <10 µg/dL, have a long-term negative impact on cognitive development. The association between blood lead concentrations 8–10 µg/dL and cognitive development needs further study in Chinese children and children from other developing countries.

Effectiveness and Safety of Donepezil in Boys With Fragile X Syndrome

The present study was designed as a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of donepezil in boys with fragile X syndrome. Twenty boys with fragile X syndrome were randomized to receive 12 weeks of treatment with either placebo or donepezil (2.5 mg daily for initial 4 weeks followed by 5 mg daily for next 8 weeks). The outcome measures included change in intelligence quotient scores on Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Hindi adaptation by Kulshrestha), change in behavioral scores by Conners 3 Parent Rating Scale (Short) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale, safety, and tolerability of donepezil. The study failed to show significant difference in intelligence quotient and behavioral scales with donepezil therapy over 12 weeks. However, donepezil appeared to be safe and well tolerated.

Comparison of intelligence quotient in children surviving leukemia who received different prophylactic central nervous system treatments

Background:Neurocognitive deficits and decrease in intelligence quotient (IQ) is one of the complication of prophylactic central nervous system (CNS) treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. In this study, we compare the IQ in survivors of ALL that were treated with different prophylactic CNS treatments.Materials and Methods:We compared 43 long-term survivors of ALL: 21 survivors with intrathecal methotrexate (IT MTX) as CNS prophylaxis, 22 with IT MTX+1800-2400 rads cranial irradiation and 20 healthy controls. The IQ was measured using the Raven's test in these patients.Results:Raven's test revealed significant differences in IQ between the survivors of ALL that were treated with IT MTX, IT MTX plus cranial irradiation and control group. There was no significant difference in the IQ with respect to sex, age and irradiation dose.Conclusion:We can that reveal that CNS prophylaxis treatment, especially the combined treatment, is associated with IQ score decline in ALL survivors. Therefore,a baseline and an annual assessment of their educational progress are suggested.

Klotho gene promoter polymorphism and cognitive impairment

Aim: To study the association between the klotho gene polymorphism and cognitive impairment in community-living men and women. Methods: The subjects consisted of 2234 community-living Japanese men and women aged 40–79 years. The klotho gene promoter polymorphism G-395A was identified and cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales – Revised Short Forms ( JWAIS-R SF) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Brain infarction and atrophy were assessed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The differences in cognitive function, infarction and atrophy were compared between the GG type and GA/AA type of the klotho gene G-395A polymorphism. Results: The distribution of the klotho gene G-395A polymorphism was GG 1639 (73.4%), GA 539 (24.1%), and AA 56 (2.5%). There was no significant difference in intelligence quotient (IQ) between the GG type and GA/AA type in the subjects aged 40–59 years. However, the IQ level was significantly different in terms of the klotho genotype for subjects aged 60–79 years (P = 0.004). The mean and SE of IQ levels of the subjects with the GG type and the GA/AA type at nucleotide −395 were 99.8 ± 0.5 and 102.6 ± 0.8, respectively. There were also significant differences in three subtests of JWAIS-R SF – Information, Similarities, and Picture Completion – for subjects aged 60–79 years. Also, the MMSE score was slightly lower for the GG type than for the GA/AA type (P = 0.099). However, there were no differences in the findings of brain MRI. Conclusion: There were statistically significant differences in cognitive function for klotho gene promoter polymorphism G-395A only in subjects aged 60 or over. This polymorphism may be associated with age-related cognitive impairment.

Cholecystokinin A Receptor Gene Promoter Polymorphism and Intelligence

To study the association between Cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) genotypes and intelligence in community-living men and women. Subjects were 2251 community-dwelling Japanese men and women aged 40 to 79 years. The CCKAR gene promoter polymorphisms A-81G and G-128T were determined. Intelligence was assessed by Japanese Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales - Revised Short Forms (JWAIS-R SF). The difference in intelligence between wild type and mutation was tested. There were no subjects with AA/GT, AA/TT, or AG/TT genotypic combinations. Both A-81G and G-128T genotypes were related to intelligence quotient (IQ) estimated by JWAIS-R SF. The mean and SE of IQ levels of subjects with the wild-type allele and the mutation allele at nucleotide -128 were 103.4 +/- 0.3 and 101.6 +/- 0.6, respectively. There was a significant difference in IQ for G-128T (p=0.008). The difference in IQ for A-81G was also significant (p=0.011). The IQ level was 103.6 +/- 0.4 in the subjects with the wild-type allele and 102.0 +/- 0.5 in the subjects with the mutation. Differences in IQ levels by haplotypes for combinations of A-81G/G-128T were examined. IQ significantly decreased with an increasing number of mutation alleles (p=0.018). There were statistically significant differences in IQ for CCKAR gene promoter polymorphisms A-81G and G-128T in community-living Japanese.

Isokinetic Leg Strength of Institutionalized Older Adults With Mental Retardation With and Without Downʼs Syndrome

This study compared isokinetic leg strength of aged individuals with mental retardation (MR) with and without Down's syndrome (DS). Nine subjects with MR and DS (mean age = 61) and 16 subjects with MR but without DS (mean age = 63) performed a leg strength test on a Biodex dynamometer. Parameters measured were peak torque, peak torque percent body weight (ratio displayed as a percentage of the maximum torque production to the subject's body weight), and average power percent body weight. In addition, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, skinfolds, and body mass index) and intelligence quotient (IQ) were also analyzed and compared. The results indicate a significant increase of scores for isokinetic knee extension and flexion in the group with MR but without DS over the subjects in the group with MR and DS. As a group, the individuals with MR and DS tended to be smaller and fatter. No significant difference in IQ was observed between the 2 groups with MR. It was concluded that the strength of individuals with MR but without DS is greater than the group of subjects with MR and DS. When comparing their results to aged individuals without MR, a significant decline in muscle strength can be observed among people with MR.

Isokinetic Leg Strength of Institutionalized Older Adults With Mental Retardation With and Without Down's Syndrome

This study compared isokinetic leg strength of aged individuals with mental retardation (MR) with and without Down's syndrome (DS). Nine subjects with MR and DS (mean age = 61) and 16 subjects with MR but without DS (mean age = 63) performed a leg strength test on a Biodex dynamometer. Parameters measured were peak torque, peak torque percent body weight (ratio displayed as a percentage of the maximum torque production to the subject's body weight), and average power percent body weight. In addition, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, skinfolds, and body mass index) and intelligence quotient (IQ) were also analyzed and compared. The results indicate a significant increase of scores for isokinetic knee extension and flexion in the group with MR but without DS over the subjects in the group with MR and DS. As a group, the individuals with MR and DS tended to be smaller and fatter. No significant difference in IQ was observed between the 2 groups with MR. It was concluded that the strength of individuals with MR but without DS is greater than the group of subjects with MR and DS. When comparing their results to aged individuals without MR, a significant decline in muscle strength can be observed among people with MR.

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and school performance in very low birth weight infants in adolescence

AIMTo determine whether neurological deficits are associated with structural anomalies of the brain in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants with subsequent learning disorders but without cerebral palsy, or whether other...

The relationship between intelligence and duration of circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia

A total of 114 children (51 with tetralogy of Fallot, 30 with transposition of the great arteries, and 33 with ventricular septal defect) who had these defects repaired with the use of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest were assessed for intellectual and neuropsychologic function at an average of 9 to 10 years after the operation. Children with preoperative intellectual handicaps or postoperative neurologic complications were excluded. These children were compared with 54 who had atrial septal defects repaired with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. The only significant difference in the neuropsychologic measures was that the bypass group had reaction times 2 to 3 seconds shorter on average than those of the hypothermic circulatory arrest group. Although there was no significant difference in intelligence quotient between the groups, a relationship between intelligence quotient and arrest time was found. Regression analysis of intelligence quotient against duration of arrest showed a significant decrease in intelligence quotient with increasing arrest time (slope = -0.36; p = 0.002; 95% confidence interval, -0.59, -0.14) indicating a decrease of 3 to 4 intelligence quotient points for each extra 10 minutes of arrest time. It appears that deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest for cardiac operations in children does not fully protect the brain, with a linear relationship existing between the amount of impairment and the duration of circulatory arrest. (J T HORAC C ARDIOVASC S URG 1995;110:786-92)

The effect of forceps delivery on cognitive development

We evaluated the influence of forceps delivery on cognitive development of preschool children. A cohort of 3413 children who were born at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, California, were selected at age 5 for intelligence quotient testing with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices. Data were analyzed by means of the Student t test to compare mean intelligence quotient scores of intervention modes of delivery with spontaneous delivery. No significant difference in intelligence quotient was seen in 1192 children delivered by forceps (114 midforceps) compared with 1499 who were delivered spontaneously. The association of forceps delivery with adverse cognitive development cannot be supported.

Psychological characteristics of children with Shwachman syndrome.

Twelve children and young adults with Shwachman syndrome were compared with their unaffected siblings and with controls suffering from cystic fibrosis in terms of intellectual ability, motor skills, and behaviour. There were highly significant differences in intelligence quotient between those with Shwachman syndrome and the other two groups. Four of the index subjects but none of the control subjects were below the normal range. The differences between groups on other tests of cognitive and motor skills were not significant, though those with Shwachman syndrome tended to have the lowest scores. There was no evidence that those with Shwachman syndrome had more behavioural difficulties than the control subjects. We suggest that the intellectual difficulties of patients with Shwachman syndrome may be of neurological rather than social origin and that they may originate before birth.