[Normative data on clinical neuropsychological tests in Hungary II.] / Klinikai neuropszichológiai tesztek magyarországi normatív adatai II.

INTRODUCTION: One basis of clinical neuropsychology is the application of objective, standardized measurements. Several internationally widespread measurements of memory and learning do not have normative data of the Hungarian population, hence it is crucial to provide a basis for future reference. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide normative data about neuropsychological instruments measuring executive functions, memory and verbal learning skills in relation to demographic factors. METHOD: Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) were administered to an adult, Hungarian representative sample (age, sex, education). RESULTS: Higher educated participants performed better on PRMQ, MoCA and RAVLT. Participants with primary education were identified as a risk group for poor verbal learning skills, executive functions and they committed more memory errors. Age had no significant effect on the results of PRMQ, while on MoCA and RAVLT a significant decline in performance was observed with the passage of lifetime. Females performed better in immediate and delayed recall on RAVLT. CONCLUSION: Application of the presented neuropsychological tests is recommended in clinical practice and scientific research as well. The presented normative data could be a valuable reference point for future studies and practical application, furthermore a basis for early identification of neurocognitive deficits. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(16) 618-629.

[Normative data on clinical neuropsychological tests in Hungary I.] / Klinikai neuropszichológiai tesztek magyarországi normatív adatai I.

INTRODUCTION: Executive functions are crucial cognitive processes which enable us to manage our daily life, to be able to sustain goal-oriented behavior, to adapt to environmental changes and to regulate and coordinate the behavior during task situations. There are several means of evaluating executive functioning, but normative data for the Hungarian population were unavailable for detailed assessment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of gender, age, and education on the performance of three neurocognitive tests measuring executive functions, and to provide normative data in the Hungarian population. METHOD: Victoria Stroop Test, Five-Point Test and Trail Making Test were administered to 316 individuals (175 female, 141 male). The sample was representative for Hungarian adults regarding age, gender and education. RESULTS: Performance scores decreased with increasing age, while scores increased by higher educational level. Performance was not influenced by gender. Significant correlations were observed between the measures. CONCLUSION: The provision of normative data should enhance the potential of the applied measures for clinical and research applications. These data provide a normative comparison for the assessment of executive functions and cognitive decline. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(15): 577-585.

Perinatal, neonatal, developmental and demographic predictors of intelligence at 4 years of age among low birth weight children: a panel study with a 2-year follow-up.

INTODUCTION: Childhood intelligence is an important predictor of later outcomes in life such as socioeconomic status or health. Hence, a deeper understanding of predictors of child intelligence should suggest points of intervention for children facing adversities. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the predictive value of demographic, perinatal and neonatal variables after birth and developmental characteristics at age 2 for 4-year intelligence as outcome among low birth weight children. METHODS: We designed a panel study with a 2-year follow-up with 114 child-mother pairs. The outcome variable was IQ intelligence quotient at 4 years of age of LBW low birth weight children measured by the Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scales of Intelligence. Potential predictors were maternal education, family wealth, ethnic identity; sex, twin pregnancy, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, maternal smoking during pregnancy; diagnosis of intravetricular haemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia after birth and cognitive, language and motor development at age 2 measured by one composite score of the three Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development aggregated. RESULTS: Stepwise backward regression was carried out including significant variables from the bivariate analysis. The best model included 4 predictors which accounted for 57% of the variance of the full IQ intelligence at 4-years of age. Maternal higher education was significant positive, below average family wealth and neonatal diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were significant negative predictors in the model after birth. 2-year developmental characteristics such as cognitive, motor and language skills were positive predictors of the IQ intelligence at age 4. CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic assessment at birth and developmental assessment at two years of age are of crucial importance to recognize children at high risk for delayed cognitive development. High-risk children should be directed to supportive interventions and their development should be regulary monitored.

A new perspective: Establishing developmental profiles of premature infants based on Bayley-III scores at age 2.

Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in early childhood generally focus on different developmental areas separately. The aim of this study is to identify the most common developmental profiles regarding cognitive, language and motor skills among low birthweight (LBW) children. Our sample included 208 LBW children examined at 24-28 months. We used cluster analysis to identify developmental profiles based on the scores of the Bayley-III Cognitive, Language and Motor scales. We found three consistent profiles (High, Mildly Delayed and Severely Delayed) and three inconsistent, average profiles (with High Expressive Language, with Mildly Delayed Expressive Language and with Severely Delayed Language). Socioeconomic status, maternal education, in vitro fertilization, plurality and chronic morbidities were significantly related to the clusters. Cluster analysis might be an effective method to identify developmental profiles of preterm (and other at-risk) children, which might result in a more complex understanding of cognitive and psychomotor development in early childhood.

Adaptive Behavioral, Social-Emotional, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 2 Years of Age in Hungarian Preterm Infants Based on Bayley III.

AIM:  This study aimed to assess cognitive, language, and motor development as well as social-emotional and adaptive behavior skills of low birthweight (LBW) children. METHODS: Our cohort contained 305 two-year-old LBW children. Developmental functioning was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition. RESULTS: Performance in language, particularly in expressive communication was the poorest. Extremely low birthweight (ELBW) children were found to be at increased risk of developmental delay: 12.73 times in motor (95%CI = 2.8-57.5), 9.81 times in cognitive (95%CI = 3.2-29.6) and 3.91 times in language (95%CI = 1.6-9.4), and social-emotional skills (95%CI = 1.6-9.5). Parents of children with lower birthweight reported poorer social and practical adaptive skills. Self-care domain seemed to be the least developed. CONCLUSION: Additionally, the screening for developmental delays, monitoring the adaptive behavior skills may also be useful - especially among ELBW children - in order to identify the specific areas, situations, and functions that are most in need of interventions. ABBREVIATIONS: AB: Adaptive Behavior; ABAS-II: Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II; BPD: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; BSID-III: Bayley Scales of Infant Development 3rd Edition; BW: Birthweight; CI: Confidence Interval; CS: Composite Score; ELBW: Extremely Low Birthweight; GA: Gestational Age; IVF: In Vitro Fertilization; IVH: Intraventricular Hemorrhage; LBW: Low Birthweight; NEC: Necrotizing Enterocolitis; OR: Odds Ratio; ROP: Retinopathy of Prematurity; SE: Social-Emotional Development; VLBW: Very Low Birthweight.

[Psychomotor state of development of preterm children concerning chronic neonatal morbidities at the age of 2 years]. / Koraszülöttek kétéves kori pszichomotoros fejlettsége a leggyakoribb krónikus utóbetegségek tekintetében.

Introduction: Over the last few years, in the development of neonatology, the limits to which it is possible to sustain the lives of premature babies have been extended, and thus the proportion of survivors with chronic morbidities has increased. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), all of which deeply influence the quality of life, life expectancy and social integration, are the most significant morbidities among premature newborns. Aim: Description of psychomotor development of low birth weight (<2500 g) premature infants at the age of 2 years, in relation to the most common chronic morbidities. Method: Psychomotor development (Brunet-Lézine scale, 1980) of low-birth-weight preterm infants at the age of 2 years (n = 200) was measured and the neonatal final reports were analysed retrospectively. Results: After age correction, birth weight positively correlated with the developmental quotient (DQ), while the length of stay in hospital correlated negatively. Grades I/II of neonatal IVH were not significant predictors of lower DQ, while the opposite was true for grades III/IV. We identified a similar relationship with the stages of ROP. According to the result of the homogeneity test, we can consider the independent effects of significant diseases. We also observed that the more diagnoses the premature baby received, the more they are at risk of later developmental delay at the age of 2 years. Conclusions: We recommend the early childhood interventions of the most vulnerable children of ≤1500 g birth weight with severe ROP and IVH - to reduce deficiencies in capabilities and prevent future mental and motor difficulties. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(5): 183-192.

[Examination of psychomotor development in relation to social-environmental factors in preterm children at 2 years old]. / Koraszülött gyermekek kétéves kori pszichomotoros fejlodése társas-környezeti tényezok függvényében.

INTRODUCTION: The development of children born prematurely is an important aspect in public health, because preterm birth rates are not decreasing with the development of medical sciences. AIM: Description of psychomotor development of preterm children related to potentially influencing environmental factors. METHOD: Children born below 2.500 grams at the age of two (n = 75). Psychomotor development, quality of home environment, socio-demographic background were measured. RESULTS: Lower birth weight was associated with lower development quotients. Psychomotor development was also negatively affected by child deprivation, low levels of cognitive stimulation and maternal empathy, regardless of birth weight. Increased performance loss was found related to lower sociodemographic variables, such as low maternal education or ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Psychomotor development of 2-year-old premature children is affected by the examined social-environmental factors. We recommend the screening and developmental interventions for premature children as early as possible, thus preventing difficulties in mental and motor development in the future. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(1), 31-38.