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Manual dexterity, but not cerebral palsy, predicts cognitive functioning after neonatal stroke
Author(s) -
Thébault Guillaume,
Martin Sophie,
Brouillet Denis,
Brunel Lionel,
Dinomais Mickaël,
Presles Émilie,
Fluss Joel,
Chabrier Stéphane
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.13752
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , cognition , wechsler adult intelligence scale , population , stroke (engine) , cognitive skill , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , neuropsychology , cognitive deficit , epilepsy , pediatrics , physical therapy , intelligence quotient , medicine , psychiatry , cognitive impairment , mechanical engineering , environmental health , engineering
Aim To disentangle the respective impacts of manual dexterity and cerebral palsy ( CP ) in cognitive functioning after neonatal arterial ischaemic stroke. Method The population included 60 children (21 females, 39 males) with neonatal arterial ischaemic stroke but not epilepsy. The presence of CP was assessed clinically at the age of 7 years and 2 months (range 6y 11mo–7y 8mo) using the definition of the Surveillance of CP in Europe network. Standardized tests (Nine‐Hole Peg Test and Box and Blocks Test) were used to quantify manual (finger and hand respectively) dexterity. General cognitive functioning was evaluated with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition. Simple and multiple linear regression models were performed while controlling for socio‐economic status, lesion side, and sex. Results Fifteen children were diagnosed with CP . In simple regression models, both manual dexterity and CP were associated with cognitive functioning ( β =0.41 [ p= 0.002] and β =0.31 [ p= 0.019] respectively). However, in multiple regression models, manual dexterity was the only associated variable of cognitive functioning, whether or not a child had CP ( β =0.35; p= 0.007). This result was reproduced in models with other covariables ( β =0.31; p= 0.017). Interpretation As observed in typically developing children, manual dexterity is related to cognitive functioning in children having suffered a focal brain insult during the neonatal period. What this paper adds Manual dexterity predicts cognitive functioning after neonatal arterial ischaemic stroke. Correlations between manual dexterity and cognitive functioning occur irrespective of sex, lesion side, presence of cerebral palsy, and socio‐economic status. Residual motor ability may support cognitive functioning.