The value of the Mini-Mental State Examination in childhood: a preliminary study.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a screening test of higher mental function, has been modified slightly for use in a pediatric outpatient setting. The test, which takes 5 to 10 minutes to administer, covers a range of cognitive functions including orientation, attention-concentration, memory, language, and constructional ability. In a preliminary study, we have found that the test can be applied from the age of 4 years. Highly significant correlations were found between the MMSE score and chronologic age (r = .57; P < .001), reading age (r = .79; P < .001), and mental age (r = .83; P < .001). MMSE scores reach a plateau at a mental age of approximately 10 years. The MMSE is a suitable instrument for screening higher mental function in children at the age of 4 years and above and can be readily incorporated into the routine neurologic examination of children.
Ouvrier
R A
RA
Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Camperdown, Australia.
Goldsmith
R F
RF
Ouvrier
S
S
Williams
I C
IC
D000293:Adolescent; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007360:Intelligence; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data