NFB-15. "Cognitive Impairments in Children and Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis"

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION-BACKGROUND: Cognitive, learning and/or behavioral disorders are common (up to 70%) complications of neurofibromatosis (NF). The first multidisciplinary-clinic for neurocutaneous-disorders was established at the Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital in Athens, Greece, in 2016. Since then, more than 200 children and adolescents with NF have been examined. SCOPE Acknowledging and indicating awareness on the devastating life-long consequences (poor academic performance, behavioral problems, and limited career prospectives) that can result from cognitive impairment, a research collaboration with educational specialists was recently implemented to examine the neurocognitive functions of children and adolescents with NF. MATERIALS Children and adolescents aged 7-14 years who suffer from NF type I or type II, were eligible for study entry. The third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC-III) was used to measure participants’ cognitive function. RESULTS: Preliminary results of this ongoing study are presented. Patients’ recruitment was limited by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions. At this stage, the research involved 10 participants suffering from NF, with mean (± SD) age of 11.55 (± 1.80) years and a male-to-female ratio of 1. The mean (± SD) full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) was 85.50 (± 18.80), corresponding to the 0.3rd to 73th percentile range. The mean (± SD) scores of performance IQ and verbal IQ were 84.90 (± 17.43) and 89.40 (± 17.23) respectively, corresponding to the 1st to 73rd percentile range for both subscales. CONCLUSION: Significant cognitive deficits, according to the percentile scores of WISC-III, were demonstrated in the small number of children and adolescents suffering from NF (type I or type II). Cognitive assessment, as part of the multidisciplinary approach of these patients is warranted, to aid timely educational interventions and improve patient learning outcomes.