Spatial orientation deficit in children due to cerebellum astrocytoma pediatric tumor obtained by means of the Attentional Network Test.

Cerebellum astrocytomas are the most typical nervous system tumors in children. Several cognitive deficits have been previously described. These deficits are probably produced by cerebellar connection and gray matter damage. The present study examines attentional deficits in children operated on for cerebellum astrocytomas, using an attentional paradigm with theoretical and clinical bases: the Attentional Network Test (ANT). This test was designed considering the attentional network theory proposed by Posner, and its usefulness has been demonstrated in clinical settings. Children operated on for cerebellar astrocytoma showed a mild attentional deficit in the orientation network.

[Relationship between neurological deficit and intelligence quotient in children and adolescents]. / Relación entre el déficit neurológico y el cociente de inteligencia en niños y adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between developmental and mental deficits due to genetic or acquired causes is well established. However the possible relationship between neurological signs and intellectual development has not been sufficiently studied. OBJECTIVE: We have conducted a transversal study to test the possible association between neurological signs and psychometric measures in children and young adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 123 patients were neurologically explored (ages between 54-185 months), 36 girls and 87 boys. These subjects were neurologically and psychometrically tested during a period of 3 years. Contingency tables, chi squared tests, discriminant analysis and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. This statistic allowed to establish the contingencies between neurological signs (presence or absence) and intelligence quotient (IQ) groups (low and normal scores). RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant relationship between IQ and the presence of 7 neurological signs (chi2=6.213; p=0.013). The discriminant analysis classified correctly 77.2% of subjects. The ROC curves indicated a high sensitivity and specificity if subjects presented more than 3 neurological signs. The frequency analysis established the more discriminant neurological signs. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results in children with learning and behavioural disabilities suggest comorbidity between low IQ and neurological signs. This association is more marked in the group of children than in the pre- and adolescent group.

Relación entre el déficit neurológico y el cociente de inteligencia en niños y adolescentes / Relationship between neurological deficit and intelligence quotient in children and adolescents

Introducción. Aunque se conoce bien la relación existente entre déficit de desarrollo (por etiologías genética o adquirida) del sistema nervioso y discapacidad mental, la relación entre diversos signos neurológicos y el cociente intelectual (CI) se ha abordado pocas veces. Objetivo. Nuestro estudio utiliza un diseño de tipo transversal para comprobar la posible relación entre los resultados que se obtienen mediante la exploración neurológica y la psicométrica en dos grupos de edad (niños y adolescentes). Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó una exploración clínica en una muestra de 123 pacientes, de edades comprendidas entre los 54 y los 185 meses, 36 niñas y 87 niños, que forman parte de un estudio del desarrollo más amplio. Los pacientes se valoraron neurológica y psicométricamente durante un período de tres años. Para el análisis de datos se utilizaron diversas pruebas, tablas de contingencia, chi al cuadrado, análisis discriminante y curvas COR. Se analizaron las contingencias entre signos neurológicos específicos respecto a valores de CI normal y normal-bajo. Resultados. Se obtuvo una relación estadísticamente significativa entre el CI y siete signos neurológicos distintos (ji2 = 6,213; p = 0,013). El análisis discriminante indicó que el 77,2 por ciento de las clasificaciones realizadas eran adecuadas. Las curvas COR indicaron una alta sensibilidad y especificidad a partir de la presencia de tres signos neurológicos. El análisis de frecuencia precisó cuáles fueron estos signos. Conclusiones. Los resultados que se obtuvieron en niños y adolescentes con problemas de aprendizaje y conducta sugieren una comorbilidad entre un CI normal-bajo y determinados signos neurológicos, más marcada en el grupo de menor edad (AU)

Introduction. The relationship between developmental and mental deficits due to genetic or acquired causes is well established. However the possible relationship between neurological signs and intellectual development has not been sufficiently studied. Objective. We have conducted a transversal study to test the possible association between neurological signs and psychometrical measures in children and young adolescents. Patients and methods. 123 patients were neurologically explored (ages between 54-185 months), 36 girls and 87 boys. These subjects were neurologically and psychometrically tested during a period of 3 years. Contingency tables, chi squared tests, discriminant analysis and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. This statistic allowed to establish the contingencies between neurological signs (presence or absence) and intelligence quotient (IQ) groups (low and normal scores). Results. The results showed a statistically significant relationship between IQ and the presence of 7 neurological signs (χ2 = 6,213; p = 0,013). The discriminant analysis classified correctly 77.2% of subjects. The ROC curves indicated a high sensitivity and specificity if subjects presented more than 3 neurological signs. The frequency analysis established the more discriminant neurological signs. Conclusions. The obtained results in children with learning and behavioural disabilities suggest comorbidity between low IQ and neurological signs. This association is more marked in the group of children than in the pre- and adolescent group (AU)