title: Volume of white matter hyperintensities is an independent predictor of intelligence quotient and processing speed in children with sickle cell disease.
abstract: Sickle cell disease can be complicated by cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), which are associated with diminished neurocognitive functioning. The influence of the total volume of WMHs on the degree of neurocognitive dysfunction has not yet been characterized. In our study of 38 patients (mean age 12·5 years) we demonstrated that a higher volume of WMHs was associated with lower full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ), verbal IQ, Processing Speed Index and more fatigue. Our results suggest that volume of WMHs is an additional parameter to take into account when planning individual diagnostic and treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Haematology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: van der Land
authors.forename: Channa T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hijmans
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Ruiter
authors.forename: Henri J M M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Mutsaerts
authors.forename: Marjon H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cnossen
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engelen
authors.forename: Charles B L M
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Majoie
authors.forename: Aart J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nederveen
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grootenhuis
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fijnvandraat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013850:Thinking; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: neurocognitive functioning; sickle cell disease; silent cerebral infarcts