F. Guzzetta et al., COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT OF INFANTS WITH WEST SYNDROME - HOW USEFUL IS ITFOR DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 35(5), 1993, pp. 379-387
Thirty-one infants with West syndrome were followed up. Their cognitiv
e competence was assessed before the onset of the disease, and during
and after the acute stage. Two kinds of cognitive impairment were iden
tified: the first was transitory, linked to the acute stage and mainly
consisting of arousal disturbances; the second was the well known lon
g-term sequela. It is not possible to exclude the aetiological role of
a persistent, severe epileptic change: however, this study emphasizes
the prognostic value of previous mental impairment. In serial cogniti
ve assessment during the acute stage, the progression of the developme
ntal quotient was the best indicator of a good mental outcome, and vic
e versa.