Tsukasa Ohashi1, Iwao Kobayashi, Hirokata Ooe, Eiji Nakagawa. 1. Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187 8551, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: One purpose of pediatric epilepsy surgery is to improve psychomotor development. However, few methods are available for evaluating cognitive function in infants with severe developmental delays. We used the following battery of tests to evaluate visual cognitive function of infants following surgery for intractable epilepsy. METHODS: The following battery of tests were used to evaluate eight patients before and 1 month after surgery: (1) Erhardt Developmental Vision Assessment (EDVA); (2) evaluation of ocular pursuit for a flashing LED toy; (3) three visual acuity tests preferential looking procedure, optokinetic nystagmus, and Sheridan's Test for Young Children and Retarded balls vision test; and (4) existing developmental test. RESULTS: EDVA scores and ocular pursuit score with a flashing LED toy showed the same trends with developmental age as the existing developmental tests. However, in some patients, the EDVA score and ocular pursuit score improved greatly, whereas the developmental age changed very little. CONCLUSIONS: These tests are suitable for patients with intractable epilepsy and severe developmental delay. By performing these tests before and after surgery, small cognitive changes occurring soon after the surgery may be detected.
PURPOSE: One purpose of pediatric epilepsy surgery is to improve psychomotor development. However, few methods are available for evaluating cognitive function in infants with severe developmental delays. We used the following battery of tests to evaluate visual cognitive function of infants following surgery for intractable epilepsy. METHODS: The following battery of tests were used to evaluate eight patients before and 1 month after surgery: (1) Erhardt Developmental Vision Assessment (EDVA); (2) evaluation of ocular pursuit for a flashing LED toy; (3) three visual acuity tests preferential looking procedure, optokinetic nystagmus, and Sheridan's Test for Young Children and Retarded balls vision test; and (4) existing developmental test. RESULTS:EDVA scores and ocular pursuit score with a flashing LED toy showed the same trends with developmental age as the existing developmental tests. However, in some patients, the EDVA score and ocular pursuit score improved greatly, whereas the developmental age changed very little. CONCLUSIONS: These tests are suitable for patients with intractable epilepsy and severe developmental delay. By performing these tests before and after surgery, small cognitive changes occurring soon after the surgery may be detected.
Authors: G Cioni; B Bertuccelli; A Boldrini; R Canapicchi; B Fazzi; A Guzzetta; E Mercuri Journal: Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed Date: 2000-03 Impact factor: 5.747