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Neurocognitive and psychosocial function in children with benign external hydrocephalus (BEH)—a long-term follow-up study

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Abstract

Introduction

Long-term impact of benign external hydrocephalus (BEH) on cognition is largely unknown, and indication for neurosurgical CSF diversion procedure is debated. This study reports neuropsychological and psychosocial function in operated and non-operated BEH children.

Methods

Eighty-six children (76 males) between 8 and 18 years (mean 13.9) diagnosed with BEH before 12 months were included, of whom 30.2 % were operated. Participants completed neuropsychological tests and questionnaires covering quality of life (PedsQL) and executive function (BRIEF).

Results

Both operated and non-operated BEH children performed significantly below normative means on several neuropsychological tests. The children scored themselves higher than the norm average on PedsQL; however, the parents reported life quality comparable to other children.

Operated children performed poorer compared with non-operated children on tests of psychomotor speed, attention span, executive function, motor speed and coordination, and on the BRIEF subscale Monitoring. Operated children, but not their parents, reported more problems on PedsQL subscale School than non-operated children.

Discussion

Children with BEH display long-term subtle neurocognitive difficulties. Non-operated children performed significantly better on some neuropsychological measures and reported less psychosocial problems. This difference may be caused by a selection bias: neurosurgical intervention was more likely in children with clinically more pronounced symptoms.

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Authors’ contribution

The first two authors (RM and LNR) should be regarded as first authors. The last two authors should be regarded as senior authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Rebecka Mikkelsen, Linn Nilsen Rødevand & Stein Andersson

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Ulrikke Straume Wiig, Arild Egge & Eirik Helseth

  3. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Aalesund Hospital, Aalesund, Norway

    Sverre Morten Zahl

  4. Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Sverre Morten Zahl & Knut Wester

  5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences for Children, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Torhild Berntsen & Anne-Britt Skarbø

  6. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Stein Andersson

  7. Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway

    Knut Wester

Authors
  1. Rebecka Mikkelsen
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  2. Linn Nilsen Rødevand
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  3. Ulrikke Straume Wiig
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  4. Sverre Morten Zahl
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  5. Torhild Berntsen
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  6. Anne-Britt Skarbø
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  7. Arild Egge
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  8. Eirik Helseth
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  9. Stein Andersson
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  10. Knut Wester
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Knut Wester.

Ethics declarations

In accordance with the ethical guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration, an informed consent form was signed by all participants or their caregiver prior to testing. The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics.

Ethics

No ethical conflict and no financial support were present or received upon writing, editing, or sending the present work.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Financial support

This study was supported by a grant from the Grieg Foundation, Bergen, Norway. Sverre Morten Zahl was supported by a Ph.D. grant from the Western Norway Regional Health Authority, project no. 911439.

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Mikkelsen, R., Rødevand, L.N., Wiig, U.S. et al. Neurocognitive and psychosocial function in children with benign external hydrocephalus (BEH)—a long-term follow-up study. Childs Nerv Syst 33, 91–99 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-016-3267-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-016-3267-z

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