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Eur J Pediatr Surg 1998; 8: 52-54
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071255
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Longitudinal Study of Cognitive Abilities and Achievement Status of Children with Myelomeningocele and Their Relationship with Clinical Types

E. F. Casari , A. G. Fantino
  • U.O. Psicologia Università degli Studi di Genova, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Largo Gaslini 5, Genova, Italia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
25 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Cognitive abilities and achievement status of 178 children with myelomeningocele (MMC) were examined with neuropsychological techniques. These children as a whole scored below the population average. Children with MMC and shunted hydrocephalus performed worse than the arrested (unshunted) and non-hydrocephalic children. The greater deficit occurred on the Performance IQ. 80.7% of the subjects attended normal school while, 19.3% received remedial instruction. The results of our study are consistent with a large body of literature indicating that children with shunted hydrocephalus demonstrate poorer development of nonverbal relative to verbal cognitive abilities.

Key words

Myelomeningocele - Spina bifida - Intelligence - Achievement - Children - Shunted hydrocephalus

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