Neuropsychological function in children following admission to paediatric intensive care: a pilot investigation.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about neuropsychological status following acute severe paediatric illness. This pilot study explored the effects on memory function of severe acute paediatric illness and associations between memory functioning and psychiatric sequelae.


METHODS
Case control study of children after paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) discharge and healthy volunteers.


METHODS
16 PICU discharged children comprised of 11 boys and 5 girls (mean age 9.44 +/- 2.85 years) tested a mean of 4.8 +/- 1.4 months following hospital discharge, and 16 age- and sex-matched controls.


RESULTS
Visual-spatial memory and attention were assessed using the CANTAB battery (visual memory) and verbal memory with the Children Memory Scale; Intelligence Quotient was tested using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. Emotional and behavioural function was measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Impact of Event Scales. Children admitted to PICU displayed statistically poorer performance on tests of spatial memory (spatial working memory) sustained attention (rapid visual information) and verbal memory (word pairs learning and delayed recognition). Septic illness was specifically associated with poorer pattern recognition memory on the CANTAB. There were significant correlations in the PICU group between cognitive functioning and emotional/behaviour scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest impaired memory and attention in children following acute severe paediatric illness, a specific deficit in children with septic illness and links between memory anomalies and emotional/behavioural problems. The findings and their clinical significance require replication and clarification in a larger sample.
Elison
Sarah
S
Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK.
Shears
Dan
D
Nadel
Simon
S
Sahakian
Barbara
B
Garralda
M Elena
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires