Incidence of specific absolute neurocognitive impairment in globally intact children with histories of early severe deprivation.
Postnatal deprivation is associated with neurocognitive delay/dysfunction. Although "catch up" in global cognition following adoption has been reported, this study examined the incidence of specific absolute impairment in adopted children with intact global cognitive functioning. Eighty-five children (38 males, mean age = 112.8, SD = 30.3 months; range 61-209 months) raised from birth in orphanages underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Fifty-four were deemed globally intact (IQ > 85). Of those deemed globally intact, 46% evidenced absolute impairment in at least one domain of functioning. Duration of stay in the orphanage was directly associated with incidence of impairment and number of domains affected. A substantial proportion of participants evidenced persistent, absolute impairment in one or more domains of neurocognitive function despite integrity of basic intellectual functions.
Behen
Michael E
ME
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. mbehen@pet.wayne.edu
Helder
Emily
E
Rothermel
Robert
R
Solomon
Katherine
K
Chugani
Harry T
HT
D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008426:Maternal Deprivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010333:Paternal Deprivation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index