Executive functions after congenital and prenatal insults

Jillian M. Schuh; Scott J. Hunter

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511977954.018

Chapter 15 - Executive functions after congenital and prenatal insults

from Section II - Executive Dysfunction in the Neurodevelopmental and Acquired Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2012

Jillian M. Schuh and

Scott J. Hunter

Edited by

Scott J. Hunter and

Elizabeth P. Sparrow

Show author details

Scott J. Hunter: Affiliation:
University of Chicago
Elizabeth P. Sparrow: Affiliation:
Sparrow Neuropsychology

Book contents

Get access

Summary

The pre- and perinatal period of development is an especially sensitive time during which stress and insults to the brain can set in place a series of influences on the developmental trajectory of EF. Issues such as prematurity, extremely low birthweight, anoxic/hypoxic and ischemic events, spina bifida/myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, and prenatal exposure to toxins (see Chapter 14) all provide illustrations of the impact of early insults on the developing brain. With the advancement of medical science, more children with these issues are surviving than ever before. As a result, there is a need to better understand the specific cognitive profiles associated with these complications that often occur during periods of brain development that are critical for EF, particularly when the medical concerns are ongoing.

Prematurity and low birthweight

Extreme prematurity and low birthweight are associated with variability in the development of EF, and also put an infant at greater risk for other medical conditions, such as hemorrhaging, that further implicate the ontogeny of executive processes. Better prenatal care, along with the use of exogenous surfactant in the neonatal period, has allowed many children born extremely early to survive past infancy into childhood. Variations in gestational age and birthweight at the time of delivery create a spectrum of impact, resulting in effects on cognitive development that range from subtle to profound.

Type: Chapter
Information: Executive Function and Dysfunction
Identification, Assessment and Treatment
, pp. 191 - 197

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511977954.018 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Volpe, J.Neurology of the NewbornPhiladelphiaSaunders 2001Google Scholar

Taylor, HGMinich, NBangert, BFilipek, PAHack, M.Long-term neuropsychological outcomes of very low birth weight: associations with early risks for periventricular brain insultsJ Int Neuropsychol Soc 2004 10 987Google Scholar PubMed

Taylor, HGHack, MKlein, N.Attention deficits in children wtih < 750 gm birth weightChild Neuropsychol 1998 4 21CrossRef Google Scholar

Waber, DPMcCormick, MC.Late neuropsychological outcomes in preterm infants of normal IQ: selective vulnerability of the visual systemJ Pediatr Psychol 1995 20 721CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Anderson, PJDoyle, LWGroup, VICS.Executive functioning in school-aged children who were born very preterm or with extremely low birth weight in the 1990sPediatrics 2004 114 50CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Harvey, JMO'Callaghan, MJMohay, H.Executive function of children with extremely low birthweight: a case control studyDev Med Child Neurol 1999 41 292CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Luciana, MLindeke, LGeorgieff, MMills, MNelson, CA.Neurobehavioral evidence for working-memory deficits in school-aged children with histories of prematurityDev Med Child Neurol 1999 41 521CrossRef Google Scholar

Isaacs, EBLucas, AChong, WKHippocampal volume and everyday memory in children of very low birth weightPediatr Res 2000 47 713CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rose, SAFeldman, JF.Memory and processing speed in preterm children at eleven years: a comparison with full-termsChild Dev 1996 67 2005CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Ross, GBoatright, SAuld, PANass, R.Specific cognitive abilities in 2-year-old children with subependymal and mild intraventricular hemorrhageBrain Cogn 1996 32 1CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Vicari, SCaravale, BCarlesimo, GACasadei, AMAllemand, F.Spatial working memory deficits in children at ages 3–4 who were low birth weight, preterm infantsNeuropsychology 2004 18 673CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Sherlock, RLAnderson, PJDoyle, LW.Neurodevelopmental sequelae of intraventricular haemorrhage at 8 years of age in a regional cohort of ELBW/very preterm infantsEarly Hum Dev 2005 81 909CrossRef Google Scholar

Leviton, APaneth, N.White matter damage in preterm newborns – an epidemiologic perspectiveEarly Hum Dev 1990 24 1CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Volpe, JJ.Neurology of the NewbornPhiladelphia, PASaunders 1995Google Scholar

de Vries, LSRegev, RDubowitz, LMWhitelaw, AAber, VR.Perinatal risk factors for the development of extensive cystic leukomalaciaAm J Dis Child 1988 142 732Google Scholar PubMed

Inder, TEHuppi, PSWarfield, SPeriventricular white matter injury in the premature infant is followed by reduced cerebral cortical gray matter volume at termAnn Neurol 1999 46 7553.0.CO;2-0>CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Woodward, LJEdgin, JOThompson, DInder, TE.Object working memory deficits predicted by early brain injury and development in the preterm infantBrain 2005 128 2578CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Parker, JMitchell, AKalpakidou, AWalshe, MJung, HYNosarti, CCerebellar growth and behavioural & neuropsychological outcome in preterm adolescentsBrain 2008 131 1344CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Taylor, HGFilipek, PAJuranek, JBangert, BMinich, NHack, M.Brain volumes in adolescents with very low birth weight: effects on brain structure and associations with neuropsychological outcomesDev Neuropsychol 2011 36 96CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tuor, UIDel Bigio, MRChumas, PD.Brain damage due to cerebral hypoxia/ischemia in the neonate: pathology and pharmacological modificationCerebrovasc Brain Metab Rev 1996 8 159Google Scholar PubMed

Terplan, KL.Histopathologic brain changes in 1152 cases of the perinatal and early infancy periodBiol Neonate 1967 11 348CrossRef Google Scholar

Leech, RWOlson, MIAlvord, ECNeuropathologic features of idiopathic respiratory distress syndromeArch Pathol Lab Med 1979 103 341Google Scholar PubMed

Squier, MKeeling, JW.The incidence of prenatal brain injuryNeuropathol Appl Neurobiol 1991 17 29CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Nyakas, CBuwalda, BLuiten, PG.Hypoxia and brain developmentProg Neurobiol 1996 49 1CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Vannucci, RC.Perinatal hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathyNeurologist 1995 1 35Google Scholar

Towbin, A.Central nervous system damage in the human fetus and newborn infant. Mechanical and hypoxic injury incurred in the fetal-neonatal periodAm J Dis Child 1970 119 529CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Marlow, NRose, ASRands, CEDraper, ES.Neuropsychological and educational problems at school age associated with neonatal encephalopathyArch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2005 90 F380CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Decker, MJHue, GECaudle, WMMiller, GWKeating, GLRye, DB.Episodic neonatal hypoxia evokes executive dysfunction and regionally specific alterations in markers of dopamine signalingNeuroscience 2003 117 417CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Anderson, VSpencer-Smith, MColeman, LChildren's executive functions: are they poorer after very early brain insultNeuropsychologia 2010 48 2041CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Charney, E.Neural tube defects: Spina bifida and myelomeningoceleBatshaw, MPerret, YChildren with Disabilities: A Medical PrimerBaltimore, MDBrooks Publishing Company 1992 471Google Scholar

Norman, MG.Congenital Malformations of the Brain: Pathologic, Embryologic, Clinical, Radiologic, and Genetic AspectsNew YorkOxford University Press 1995Google Scholar

Burmeister, RHannay, HJCopeland, KFletcher, JMBoudousquie, ADennis, M.Attention problems and executive functions in children with spina bifida and hydrocephalusChild Neuropsychol 2005 11 265CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Brown, TMRis, MDBeebe, DFactors of biological risk and reserve associated with executive behaviors in children and adolescents with spina bifida myelomeningoceleChild Neuropsychol 2008 14 118CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Barkovich, AJ.Pediatric NeuroimagingPhiladelphia, PALippincott Williams and Wilkins 2000Google Scholar

Reigel, DHRotenstein, D.Spina bifidaCheek, WRPediatric NeurosurgeryPhiladelphia, PASaunders, WB 1994 51Google Scholar

Fletcher, JMBrookshire, BLLandry, SHBohan, TP.Attentional skills and executive functions in children with early hydrocephalusDev Neuropsychol 1996 12 53CrossRef Google Scholar

Denckla, MB.A theory and model of executive function: a neuropsychological perspectiveLyon, GRKrasnegor, NAAttention, Memory, and Executive FunctionBaltimoreBrookes 1996 263Google Scholar

Fletcher, JMMcCauley, SRBrandt, MERegional brain tissue composition in children with hydrocephalus. Relationships with cognitive developmentArch Neurol 1996 53 549CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Fletcher, JMDennis, MNorthrup, H.HydrocephalusYeates, KORis, MDTaylor, HGPediatric Neuropsychology: Research, Theory, and PracticeNew YorkGuilford Press 2000 25Google Scholar

Wills, KE.Neuropsychological functioning in children with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalusJ Clin Child Psychol 1993 22 247CrossRef Google Scholar

Hannay, HJ.Functioning of the corpus callosum in children with early hydrocephalusJ Int Neuropsychol Soc 2000 6 351CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tarazi, RAZabel, TAMahone, EM.Age-related differences in executive function among children with spina bifida/hydrocephalus based on parent behavior ratingsClin Neuropsychol 2008 22 585CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Wills, KEHolmbeck, GNDillon, KMcLone, DG.Intelligence and achievement in children with myelomeningoceleJ Pediatr Psychol 1990 15 161CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Brewer, VRFletcher, JMHiscock, MDavidson, KC.Attention processes in children with shunted hydrocephalus versus attention deficit-hyperactivity disorderNeuropsychology 2001 15 185CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Holmbeck, GNWesthoven, VCPhillips, WSA multimethod, multi-informant, and multidimensional perspective on psychosocial adjustment in preadolescents with spina bifidaJ Cons Clin Psychol 2003 71 782CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Landry, SHRobinson, SSCopeland, DGarner, PW.Goal-directed behavior and perception of self-competence in children with spina bifidaJ Pediatr Psychol 1993 18 389CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Snow, JH.Executive processes for children with spina bifidaChildren's Hlth Care 1999 28 241CrossRef Google Scholar

Yeates, KOEnrile, BGLoss, NBlumenstein, EDelis, DC.Verbal learning and memory in children with myelomeningoceleJ Pediatr Psychol 1995 20 801CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Mammarella, NCornoldi, CDonadello, E.Visual but not spatial working memory deficit in children with spina bifidaBrain Cogn 2003 53 311CrossRef Google Scholar

Mahone, EMZabel, TALevey, EVerda, MKinsman, S.Parent and self-report ratings of executive function in adolescents with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalusChild Neuropsychol 2002 8 258CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rose, BMHolmbeck, GN.Attention and executive functions in adolescents with spina bifidaJ Pediatr Psychol 2007 32 983CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Zukerman, JMDevine, KAHolmbeck, GN.Adolescent predictors of emerging adulthood milestones in youth with spina bifidaJ Pediatr Psychol 2010 36 265CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Loss, NYeates, KOEnrile, BG.Attention in children with myelomeningoceleChild Neuropsychol 1998 4 7CrossRef Google Scholar

Snow, JHPrince, MSouheaver, GAshcraft, EStefans, VEdmonds, J.Neuropsychological patterns of adolescents and young adults with spina bifidaArch Clin Neuropsychol 1994 9 277CrossRef Google Scholar

Iddon, JLMorgan, DJLoveday, CSahakian, BJPickard, JD.Neuropsychological profile of young adults with spina bifida with or without hydrocephalusJ Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2004 75 1112CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Carr, J.The effect of neural tube defects on the family and its social functioningTew, BSpastics, SocietyBannister, CMCurrent Concepts in Spina Bifida and HydrocephalusNew YorkCambridge University Press 1991Google Scholar

Wallander, JLVarni, JWBabani, LBanis, HTDeHaan, CBWilcox, KT.Disability parameters, chronic strain, and adaptation of physically handicapped children and their mothersJ Pediatr Psychol 1989 14 23CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Holmbeck, GN.Toward terminological, conceptual, and statistical clarity in the study of mediators and moderators: examples from the child-clinical and pediatric psychology literaturesJ Cons Clin Psychol 1997 65 599CrossRef Google Scholar

Fletcher, JMBrookshire, BLLandry, SHBehavioral adjustment of children with hydrocephalus: relationships with etiology, neurological, and family statusJ Pediatr Psychol 1995 20 109CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Book contents

Chapter 15 - Executive functions after congenital and prenatal insults

Summary

Access options

References

Save book to Kindle

Save book to Dropbox

Save book to Google Drive