Neurodevelopment in Children with Albinism

Beth R. Kutzbach, C. Gail Summers, Ann M. Holleschau, John T. MacDonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate neurologic development in children with albinism. Design: Observational cohort series. Participants and/or Controls: Seventy-eight children with albinism, ages 4 to 18 years. Methods: Parents completed a developmental questionnaire and were interviewed to evaluate their child for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) utilizing Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria. Sixty-five children underwent neurologic evaluation of balance and fine and gross motor movements. Results were compared with age-appropriate norms. Standardized reading tests were administered to 44 children. Each of 7 neurodevelopmental parameters were compared in terms of binocular best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Main Outcome Measures: Seven neurodevelopmental parameters were measured, including onset of walking, tandem gait, repetitive finger movements, sequential finger movements, standing on one foot, hopping on one foot, and throwing a ball overhand. School performance, reading performance, and presence of ADHD were also measured. Results: The BCVA ranged from 20/20 to 20/800, with median of 20/150. A diagnosis of ADHD was present in 21.8% and pervasive developmental disorder was noted in three children (3.8%). No significant developmental delays were noted in the majority of children. Motor development was generally within the normal range and unaffected by severity of visual impairment. Parents reported that 82% performed at grade level in math and 74% at grade level in reading. Only 18% scored below average on standardized reading tests. Conclusions: Most children with albinism have normal neurologic development despite visual impairment and increased prevalence of ADHD. Financial Disclosure(s): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1805-1808.e2
JournalOphthalmology
Volume115
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Supported, in part, by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., New York, New York. The organization had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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