Article

AIM: To identify soft neurological signs (SNS) in a population-based study of
children living in remote Aboriginal communities in the Fitzroy Valley, Western
Australia, born between 2002 and 2003 and explore the relationship between SNS,
prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
METHOD: The presence of SNS was assessed using the Quick Neurological Screening
Test, 2nd edition (QNST-2), which has a total maximum score of 140. Higher scores
indicated more SNS. 'Severe discrepancy' was defined as scores less than or equal
to the fifth centile while 'moderate discrepancy' represented scores from the
sixth to the 24th centile. Children were assigned FASD diagnoses using modified
Canadian FASD diagnostic guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 108 of 134 (80.6%)
eligible children (mean age 8y 9mo, SD=6mo, 53% male) were assessed. The median
QNST-2 Total Score for all participants was within the normal category (19.0,
range 4-66). However, the median QNST-2 Total Score was higher in children with
than without (1) PAE (r=0.2, p=0.045) and (2) FASD (r=0.3, p=0.004). Half (8/16)
of children scoring 'moderate discrepancy' and all (2/2) children scoring 'severe
discrepancy' had at least three domains of central nervous system impairment.
INTERPRETATION: SNS were more common in children with PAE or FASD, consistent
with the known neurotoxic effect of PAE. The QNST-2 is a useful screen for subtle
neurological dysfunction indicating the need for more comprehensive assessment in
children with PAE or FASD.
CI - (c) 2016 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS