title: Cognitive abilities associated with the Silver-Russell syndrome.
abstract: There is no consensus opinion on whether or not cognitive impairments are found in the Silver-Russell syndrome. An investigation of a substantial sample was undertaken, using standardised assessments, in 20 boys and five girls aged 6.0 years to 11.8 years. Mean (SD) birth weights were -2.65 (0.95) SD scores, corrected for gestation. At evaluation the children had a mean (SD) age of 8.8 (1.8) years and a mean height of -2.26 (1.5) SD scores. Tests of cognitive abilities included assessments of general intelligence, reading and arithmetic attainments, and a cognitive processing task. Most had some degree of developmental delay: mean (SD) full scale IQ was 86 (24); 32% scored within the learning disability range (that is, IQ < 70); 40% were reading at least 24 months below their chronological age. Current head circumference correlated highly with full scale IQ. Assessments of special educational needs had been completed on 36%; 48% were receiving speech therapy. Approximately half of children with the Silver-Russell syndrome have significant impairment of their cognitive abilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Skuse
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanhope
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hindmarsh
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004392:Dwarfism / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D004410:Dyslexia; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013577:Syndrome