Persistence of Neuropsychological Deficits Following Pediatric Critical Illness. Issue 8 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Als, Lorraine C.; Tennant, Anna; Nadel, Simon; Cooper, Mehrengise; Pierce, Christine M.; Garralda, M. Elena
• Is Part Of: Critical care medicine. Volume 43:Issue 8(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: child -- critical care -- follow-up studies -- intelligence -- memory -- outcomes assessment; Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Soins intensifs -- Périodiques; 616.028
• DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000001075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0090-3493

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To study 12-month persistence of neuropsychological deficits in PICU survivors. Design: Prospective follow-up study. Setting: Two PICUs. Participants: Children 5–16 years old with neuropsychological deficits 3–6 months following PICU care for meningoencephalitis, sepsis, and other critical illnesses (excluding other primary neurological disorders). Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Neuropsychological function was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, the Children's Memory Scale, and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence or Wide Range Intelligence Test. Forty-seven of 88 PICU admitted children (53%) were identified as neuropsychologically impaired 3–6 months after discharge; of these, 23 provided 12-month follow-up data. In spite of significant improvements in measures of memory, there was little change in intelligence quotient and visual attention over the study period, and children's educational progress remained below expectation. Conclusions: We found persistently reduced neuropsychological function following PICU admission in the critical illnesses under study. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.