17th Congress of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association, Nova Iguaçu, Brezilya, 20 - 24 Eylül 2016, cilt.31, sa.492, ss.1922-1923
Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate the
cognitive functions of the children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to identify
the factors influencing on these cognitive functions. Fifty-seven children with various stages of CKD
following up in three pediatric nephrology centers were enrolled in this multicentric
study. Mean age was 12±2.57 years.
Methods: Initial information about the patients was
obtained from hospital records and their parents. WISC-R and CNS Vital Signs
tests were performed by a certified psychologist to evaluate cognitive
functions of the patients. Mental retardation (MR) was defined as Intelligence quotient (IQ) level lower than 70 according to
WISC-R test. The patients who have IQ level between 71-84 were classified as “borderline
mental capacity”. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 21 software.
Results: IQ level was normal only in 14 (24.6%) children in our
study group. Fourteen (24.6%) patients had a “borderline mental capacity”, 29 (50.8%) patients had mild and moderate MR. IQ
level was not found to be related to the stage of CKD (p=0.085). MR was more
frequent in the patients with anemia and also history of small for gestational
age (p=0.029 and p=0.033; respectively). IQ
level of the patients were positively correlated with education level of their
mothers (r=0.330 p=0.012).
All of special cognitive functions were affected
negatively except verbal memory. The percentage of the affected patients was
76.8% in cognitive flexibility, 69.6% in composite memory, 69.6% in neurocognition
index, 66% in executive function and 60.7% in psychomotor speed. The duration
of CKD, history of small for gestational age and especially maternal education
level were found to be related to poor cognitive functions (p<0.05).
Conclusion: IQ level and other cognitive functions were affected in the
children with CKD. Maternal education level is one of the most important
factors influencing IQ level and cognitive functions of these children.