title: Cognitive and academic outcomes after pediatric liver transplantation: Functional Outcomes Group (FOG) results.
abstract: This multicenter study examined prevalence of cognitive and academic delays in children following liver transplant (LT). One hundred and forty-four patients ages 5-7 and 2 years post-LT were recruited through the SPLIT consortium and administered the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 3rd Edition (WPPSI-III), the Bracken Basic Concept Scale, Revised (BBCS-R), and the Wide Range Achievement Test, 4th edition (WRAT-4). Parents and teachers completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Participants performed significantly below test norms on intelligence quotient (IQ) and achievement measures (Mean WPPSI-III Full Scale IQ = 94.7 ± 13.5; WRAT-4 Reading = 92.7 ± 17.2; WRAT-4 Math = 93.1 ± 15.4; p < 0001). Twenty-six percent of patients (14% expected) had 'mild to moderate' IQ delays (Full Scale IQ = 71-85) and 4% (2% expected) had 'serious' delays (Full Scale IQ ≤ 70; p < 0.0001). Reading and/or math scores were weaker than IQ in 25%, suggesting learning disability, compared to 7% expected by CDC statistics (p < 0.0001). Executive deficits were noted on the BRIEF, especially by teacher report (Global Executive Composite = 58; p < 0.001). Results suggest a higher prevalence of cognitive and academic delays and learning problems in pediatric LT recipients compared to the normal population.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA. Lsorensen@childrensmemorial.org
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Sorensen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neighbors
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Martz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zelko
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bucuvalas
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Alonso
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012042:Registries; D014481:United States