title: Developmental delays in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.
abstract: It is well documented that children with neurofibromatosis type 1 are at high risk for a variety of cognitive and learning deficits. The current study investigated the use of a developmental screening tool, the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status: Developmental Milestones, as an accurate, reliable, and efficient indicator of developmental delays. Sixty-eight percent of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 were found to have a developmental delay in at least 1 of the 8 areas tested by the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status: Developmental Milestones. Significant developmental abnormalities were found in the areas of fine motor (35%), gross motor (52%), and math/premath (31%). A positive association was found between the presence of a previously diagnosed optic glioma and math/premath delays (χ(2) = 0.0022) and between male sex and fine motor delays (χ(2) = 0.0325). The Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status: Developmental Milestones assessment demonstrates the high presence of developmental delays in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and the need for aggressive and early screening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Soucy
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gutmann
authors.forename: Courtney M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index