Neuropsychological, academic, and adaptive functioning in children who survive inhospital cardiac arrest and resuscitation
Morris, Robin ; Krawiecki, Nicholas ; Wright, Jean A. ; Walter, L. Warren
Citations
Abstract
Children suffering cardiac arrest (CA) are not uncommon in certain pediatric populations. Due to the increasing suruival rates of child CA patients, there is a growing interest in, and concern for, their long-term intellectual, academic, emotional, and adaptive functioning. This article describes the possible neurologic sequelae of CA in children and presents standardized assessment results on 25 children, 2 to 15 years of age, who suruived a CA while in the hospital. A majority of these children exhibited low-average to deficient levels of performance on neuropsychologic, achievement, and adaptive behavior measures. Duration of cardiac arrest and a medical risk score were significantly correlated with decreased functioning in child CA patients. Children who suffer a cardiac arrest are at high risk for academic struggles, and many may need special education seruices.