[Relationship between serum folic acid and 25(OH)D levels and intelligence and core symptoms in children with autism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between folic acid and 25-hydroxy vitamin D[25(OH)D] and intelligence and core symptoms in children with autism. METHODS: A total of 124 children with autism aged 3-6 years who were admitted to The Fouth Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College from March 2018 to March 2021 were enrolled as the case group, and 120 healthy children who underwent physical examination in hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Respectively in the hospital the same day or physical examination on two groups of children fasting venous blood collected 4 mL, let stand centrifugal after processing into-80 ℃ refrigerator, using chemiluminescence immunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection of two groups of children folic acid and serum 25(OH)D level, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent method to detect the serum level of folic acid metabolites. For the children in the case group and the control group, the Wechsler scale for early childhood and child intelligence(WISC) was used to assess intelligence. Core symptoms of autism were assessed using the behavior scale for autistic children(ABC). T test was used to compare serum folic acid and 25(OH)D levels, WISC and ABC scale scores between the case group and the control group. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between serum folic acid, 25(OH)D level and intelligence and core symptoms in children with autism. RESULTS: The serum folic acid and 25(OH)D levels in the case group were(16.13±4.26) ng/mL and(25.78±3.24) ng/mL respectively, which were lower than those in the control group(21.58±5.37) ng/mL and(36.94±6.11) ng/mL, with statistical significance(all P<0.05). The WISC scale score of the case group was(62.83±11.73) points, lower than that of the control group(89.42±12.58) points, while the ABC scale score was(77.39±10.28) points, higher than that of the control group(42.30±5.87) points, with statistical significance(all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum folic acid and 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with WISC score(r=0.512, 0.584; P=0.012, 0.001), and was negatively correlated with ABC scale score(r=-0.546, -0.602; P=0.008, <0.001). The serum THFA and 5-MTHF levels in the case group were(3.85±1.22) ng/mL and(4.84±1.32) ng/mL respectively, which were lower than those in the control group(4.30±1.51) ng/mL and(5.34±1.34) ng/mL respectively. The serum FRAA level was(433.29±74.34) pg/mL, higher than that of the control group(402.10±65.87) pg/mL, with statistical significance(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The serum folic acid and 25(OH)D levels are lower in children with autism, and are closely related to the intelligence and core symptoms of the children, that is, with the decline of the two serological indicators, the lower the intelligence of children with autism, and the more obvious the core symptoms.

Intelligence and Socioeconomic Context on Childhood: Comparisons by Place of Residence and School Type / Inteligência e Contexto Socioeconômico na Infância: Comparação por Região de Moradia e Tipo de Escola / Inteligencia y Contexto Socioeconómico en la Infancia: Comparación por Región de Vivienda y Tipo de Escuela

Abstract Different aspects of the socioeconomic context can affect intelligence. This study investigated the intellectual performance of children from different places of residence and school types. The analyses compared children from the outskirts (n = 169) and the central region (n = 110) from Porto Alegre; and children from private (n = 49) and public (n = 61) schools. Data collection included the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and sociodemographic record. Analysis of covariance (between groups) and Analysis of Variance for repeated measures (within-group) were used. Children from the outskirts region showed poorer performance on all WASI scores and, in the within-group comparison, lower results on verbal tasks - which did not occur in the central region group. Children from public and private schools differed in all WASI scores but had a similar within-group performance.

Resumo Diferentes aspectos do contexto socioeconômico podem afetar a inteligência. Este estudo investigou o desempenho intelectual de crianças de diferentes regiões de moradia e tipos de escola. As análises compararam crianças da periferia (n = 169) e da região central (n = 110) de Porto Alegre; e crianças de escola privada (n = 49) e pública (n = 61). A coleta de dados incluiu a Escala Wechsler Abreviada de Inteligência (WASI) e ficha sociodemográfica. Utilizou-se Análise de Covariância (entre grupos) e Análise de Variância para medidas repetidas (intragrupo). O grupo de periferia apresentou menor desempenho em todos os escores da WASI e, na comparação intragrupo, resultados mais baixos nas tarefas verbais - o que não ocorreu no grupo da região central. Crianças de escolas públicas e privadas diferiram em todos os escores da WASI, mas apresentaram desempenho intragrupo semelhante.

Resumen Los diferentes aspectos del contexto socioeconómico pueden afectar la inteligencia. Este estudio investigó el desempeño intelectual de niños de diferentes regiones de vivienda y tipos de escuela. Se llevó a cabo una comparación de niños de la periferia (n = 169) y de la región central (n = 110) de Porto Alegre con niños de escuelas privadas (n = 49) y públicas (n = 61). Para recopilar los datos se utilizó la Escala de Inteligencia Abreviada de Wechsler (WASI) y la ficha sociodemográfica. Se aplicó el análisis de covarianza (entre grupos) y el análisis de varianza para medidas repetidas (intragrupo). El grupo de la periferia tuvo un desempeño más bajo en todos los puntajes de la WASI y presentó los resultados más bajos en las tareas verbales en la comparación intragrupo, lo que no ocurrió con el grupo de la región central. Los puntajes de los niños de las escuelas públicas y privadas fueron distintos en todos los puntajes de la WASI, pero en la comparación intragrupo tuvieron un rendimiento similar.

Developmental quotient to estimate intelligence in autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, and are associated with restricted patterns of behavior. The developmental quotient (DQ) is based on the developmental age and chronological age of children. This study investigated the utility of the DQ to estimate cognitive ability in young children with ASD. METHODS: The DQ and intelligence quotient (IQ) were assessed using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001 (KSPD) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III), respectively. The correlation between the DQ and IQ was then analyzed among children with ASD. RESULTS: We enrolled 18 children with ASD (16 boys, two girls; age, 63.6 ± 9.4 months; age range, 45-83 months). Overall, Cognitive-Adaptive and Language-Social DQ scores were significantly correlated with IQ score in the full scale, verbal, and performance domains. Full-scale IQ and overall DQ had a linear correlation (y = -22.747 + 1.177x, R2 = 0.677, R = 0.823). CONCLUSIONS: The DQ scores obtained using the KSPD were a reasonable estimate of cognitive ability in children with ASD. The KSPD may be a useful alternative to the WISC-III for young children with ASD and could facilitate earlier assessment.

Cognitive outcomes for congenital hypothyroid and healthy children: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and the prevention of developmental retardation is the main goal of public health national screening programs. This study compares the cognitive ability of children with CH diagnosed by neonatal screening with a healthy control group (2007) in Yazd, Iran. MATERIALS & METHODS: In a case-controlled study, the intelligent quotient (IQ) of 40 five-year-old children with early treated CH and good compliance were evaluated by the Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligent test and compared to 40 healthy age and gender matched children as controls. RESULTS: 22 boys (55%) and 18 girls (45%) in both groups were evaluated. In children with CH, 19 (47.5%) and 21 (52.5%) persons had transient and permanent hypothyroidism, respectively. Range of TSH and T4 level at the onset of diagnosis were 11.41-81 mu/l and 1.50-14.20 µg/dl, respectively. The intelligence levels of all children with CH were within the average or normal range and IQs ranged from 91-108. Children with CH had lower full-scale IQs (107.25 ± 2. 9 versus 110.50 ± 2.66, p=0.001), verbal IQ (106.95 ± 3.5 versus 109.90 ± 3.44, P-value=0.001) and performance IQ (106.3 ± 3.68 versus 108.87 ± 3.70) than the control group. However, no statistically significant differences were observed for mean IQ scores in permanent and transient CH. CONCLUSION: Children with CH who had early treatment and good compliance had normal cognitive abilities, but may have a decreased IQ relative to the healthy control group.

Cognition in elderly people: study of the Short Form 8 (SF8) of the Wechsler-III Scale / Cognição de idosos: estudo a partir da FA8 - Forma Abreviada da Wechsler-III

Using psychometrical instruments adequate for the elderly cognitive evaluation is crucial. The Short Form (SF8) of the WAIS-III has been recommended for such purpose. This study aimed at characterizing cognition in the elderly using the SF8. A hundred ninety two individuals, aged 60 or older, were divided into case and control groups (G1 and G2). Women were the majority (75%). The mean age was 75.9 years (SD=9.1) and their educational level 6.40 years (SD=4.8). There were significant differences in the groups' cognition according to the age, with better performance on verbal than executive skills. Schooling influenced the cognitive performance. The SF8 seemed to be advantageous in evaluating the elderly. It is important to investigate the behavior of individuals with different diagnoses in the SF8.

Utilizar instrumentos psicométricos e adequados à avaliação cognitiva de idosos é fundamental. A Forma Abreviada (FA8) da WAIS-III vem sendo indicada nessa tarefa. Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a cognição de idosos, utilizando a FA8. Cento e noventa e dois indivíduos, de 60 ou mais anos, foram divididos em grupos caso e controle (G1 e G2). As mulheres foram maioria (75%). A média etária foi de 75,9 anos (DP=9,1) e a de escolaridade de 6,4 anos (DP=4,8). Houve diferença significativa na cognição dos grupos segundo a faixa etária, com melhor rendimento em habilidades verbais que executivas. A escolaridade influenciou o desempenho cognitivo. A FA8 mostrou-se vantajosa na avaliação de idosos. Faz-se importante investigar o comportamento de indivíduos com diferentes diagnósticos na FA8.

Cognition in elderly people: study of the Short Form 8 (SF8) of the Wechsler-III Scale / Cognição de idosos: estudo a partir da FA8 - Forma Abreviada da Wechsler-III

Using psychometrical instruments adequate for the elderly cognitive evaluation is crucial. The Short Form (SF8) of the WAIS-III has been recommended for such purpose. This study aimed at characterizing cognition in the elderly using the SF8. A hundred ninety two individuals, aged 60 or older, were divided into case and control groups (G1 and G2). Women were the majority (75%). The mean age was 75.9 years (SD=9.1) and their educational level 6.40 years (SD=4.8). There were significant differences in the groups' cognition according to the age, with better performance on verbal than executive skills. Schooling influenced the cognitive performance. The SF8 seemed to be advantageous in evaluating the elderly. It is important to investigate the behavior of individuals with different diagnoses in the SF8.(AU)

Utilizar instrumentos psicométricos e adequados à avaliação cognitiva de idosos é fundamental. A Forma Abreviada (FA8) da WAIS-III vem sendo indicada nessa tarefa. Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a cognição de idosos, utilizando a FA8. Cento e noventa e dois indivíduos, de 60 ou mais anos, foram divididos em grupos caso e controle (G1 e G2). As mulheres foram maioria (75%). A média etária foi de 75,9 anos (DP=9,1) e a de escolaridade de 6,4 anos (DP=4,8). Houve diferença significativa na cognição dos grupos segundo a faixa etária, com melhor rendimento em habilidades verbais que executivas. A escolaridade influenciou o desempenho cognitivo. A FA8 mostrou-se vantajosa na avaliação de idosos. Faz-se importante investigar o comportamento de indivíduos com diferentes diagnósticos na FA8.(AU)

Migraine and cognition in children: a controlled study / Migrânea e cognição em crianças: um estudo controlado

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the cognitive functions of children with migraine and compare them to A control group. METHOD: 30 migraineur children and 30 control group children without migraine, age ranging from 8 to 12 years old, were subjected to a cognitive functions assessment with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISCIII). RESULTS: Although both groups had a normal cognitive performance, children with migraine had significantly worse scores compared to the control group in the subtests of Information, Arithmetic, Vocabulary, Object Assembly and in the Indexes of Perceptual Organization, Resistance to Distraction and Processing Speed. CONCLUSION: Children with migraine had impairment in some cognitive functions such as attention, memory, information speed, and perceptual organization compared to the control group.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as funções cognitivas de crianças com e sem migrânea, utilizando a Escala de Inteligência Wechsler para Crianças (WISC-III). MÉTODO: A amostra foi composta por 30 crianças com diagnóstico de migrânea na idade entre 8 a 12 anos e grupo controle de 30 crianças sem migrânea na mesma faixa etária. Todas foram avaliadas pela Escala de WISC-III. RESULTADOS: Embora ambos os grupos tenham demonstrado um quociente de inteligência dentro da média, as crianças com migrânea, quando comparados aos controles, tiveram desempenho inferior nos subtestes de Informação, Aritmética, Vocabulário, Armar Objetos e nos Índices de Compreensão verbal, Organização Perceptual, Resistência à Distração e Velocidade de Processamento. CONCLUSÃO: Quando comparadas aos controles, crianças com migrânea apresentaram desempenhos inferiores em vários domínios cognitivos como atenção, velocidade de processamento, memória e organização perceptual.