Cognitive, Academic, and Behavioral Functioning in School-Aged Children born with Esophageal Atresia
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In brief
In brief
Longitudinal study of 143 children who underwent neonatal repair of esophageal atresia reveals persistent attention and working memory deficits at school age, independent of prematurity or additional anomalies. Findings suggest need for routine neurodevelopmental screening in this population beyond traditional surgical outcome measures.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
To characterize cognitive, academic, and behavioral functioning in children who underwent neonatal surgical repair of esophageal atresia (OA) and compare outcomes according to clinical characteristics (presence of additional congenital anomalies, longer hospitalization, and prematurity).
Methods
Intellectual, language, attention, and executive functioning were assessed in 71 5-year-olds and 72 8-year-olds born with OA. At 8 years, memory and academic skills were also assessed. Parents rated children's executive functioning and behavior via questionnaires. Outcomes were compared to normative data and within subgroups of the sample.
Results
Intellectual functioning varied depending on the assessment tool, with some evidence of lower than expected intellectual development in children with OA. At 5 years, children with OA showed age-appropriate language and self-regulation, but reduced verbal attention. At 8 years, the OA group had lower than expected sustained attention, divided attention, and mathematics but typical memory and literacy. Parents consistently reported increased working memory difficulties. Other executive functioning and behavioral symptoms were transiently observed. Findings did not consistently differ according to clinical characteristics.
Conclusions
Children with OA may be at risk of transient and persisting cognitive difficulties, particularly in attention and working memory. Difficulties were not strongly associated with additional congenital anomalies, longer hospitalization, or prematurity.
Level of Evidence
Level IV.