Developmental trajectories of young children with neurofibromatosis type 1: a longitudinal study from 21 to 40 months of age

Jennifer Lorenzo; Belinda Barton; Shelley S Arnold; Kathryn N North

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.12.012

Developmental trajectories of young children with neurofibromatosis type 1: a longitudinal study from 21 to 40 months of age

J Pediatr. 2015 Apr;166(4):1006-12.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.12.012. Epub 2015 Jan 15.

Authors

Jennifer Lorenzo¹, Belinda Barton², Shelley S Arnold³, Kathryn N North⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, Australia; Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Children's Hospital Education Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: belinda.barton@health.nsw.gov.au.
³ Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, Australia; Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 25598303
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.12.012

Abstract

Objective: To establish the developmental trajectory of young children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) during the first 4 years of life.

Study design: In this longitudinal study, 39 children with NF1 and 39 controls were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition at 21 (time point 1, or T1) and 30 months (T2) of age, and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Third Edition at 40 months (T3). Language was also assessed at T2 and T3. Parents rated their child's productive vocabulary at T1 and T2, and behavior at each time point. Linear mixed models were performed to examine cognitive development and behavior over time. Linear regressions were conducted to determine whether mental development and productive vocabulary at T1 or T2 predicted intellectual and language outcomes at T3.

Results: Over time, the NF1 group had significantly lower cognitive scores than controls. Parent ratings indicated no group differences in behavior at each time point. Earlier mental function significantly predicted later general intelligence. Earlier productive vocabulary was a significant predictor of later language skills.

Conclusions: There are consistent differences over time in cognitive performance between children with NF1 and unaffected peers during the early childhood period. Earlier mental function and productive vocabulary are significant predictors of subsequent general intelligence and performance on language measures in NF1. This provides an opportunity for early identification and treatment for young children with NF1 who may show signs of impairments in these developmental domains.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Child Development / physiology*
Child, Preschool
Cognition / physiology*
Disease Progression
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infant
Intelligence / physiology*
Male
Neurofibromatosis 1 / physiopathology*
Time Factors
Vocabulary