Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales to Identify Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common preventable causes of mental retardation in children. Screening and early treatment an important prognostic factors for normal neurodevelopment in children with CH. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Second Edition (VABS-II) is a parent report measure of adaptive functioning that could be used as a developmental screening tool in patients with CH. We have investigated the performance of VABS-II as a screening tool to identify developmental delay in children with CH. VABS-II questionnaires testing communication, daily living skills, social skills, motor skills and behaviour domains were completed by parents of 50 children with CH initially at time of diagnosis and follow up after six month with age distribution 3rd day of life-12 months (CH, n = 35) and 13-24 months (CH, n = 15). Both had positive results of screening program and positive values for thyroid function tests. Objective: The aim of this study to assess and follow up neurodevelopmental abilities in children with congenital hypothyroidism using Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Second Edition (Vineland-II). Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study at Benha Children Hospital, Egypt. The study participants were 50 infants with CH and their mothers (patients group), and 50 age matched volunteers of healthy infants (control group). Data were collected to determine socioeconomic state, clinical picture at presentation, personal, family, obstetric history and assessment of neurodevelopment by using Vineland-II scale. Results: About 64% of cases were permanent CH and about 14% of cases were transient CH. There was significant positive correlation between compliance score and the parameters of the physical and neurological development. Conclusion: Our study adds further evidence to normalize TSH as soon as possible to avoid long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.