Neurodevelopmental profile in children with benign external hydrocephalus syndrome. A pilot cohort study

Purpose The management of children with benign external hydrocephalus (BEH) remains controversial. Most BEH children do well in the long-term, but a substantial number have temporary or permanent psychomotor delays. The study aims to assess the prevalence and pattern of neurodevelopmental delay in a cohort of children with BEH. Methods We conducted a cohort study of 42 BEH children (30 boys and 12 girls, aged 6 to 38 months). A pediatric neurosurgeon performed a first clinical evaluation to confirm/reject the diagnosis according to the clinical features and neuroimaging studies. Two trained evaluators assessed the child's psychomotor development using the third edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III). Developmental delay was defined as a scaled score < 7 according to the simple scale and/or a composite score < 85. Results Eighteen children (43%) presented statistically lower scores in the gross motor and composite motor of the Bayley-III scales compared to their healthy peers. Conclusion In BEH, it is important to establish a diagnostic algorithm that helps to discriminate BEH patients that have self-limiting delays from those at risk of a persistent delay that should be referred for additional studies and/or interventions that might improve the natural evolution of a disease with high impact on the children and adult's quality of life.

Automated summary

The study examines the prevalence and pattern of neurodevelopmental delay in a cohort of children with benign external hydrocephalus (BEH). Results show that 43% of BEH children had lower scores in gross motor and composite motor of the Bayley-III scales compared to their healthy peers. This highlights the importance of establishing a diagnostic algorithm to differentiate BEH patients with self-limiting delays from those at risk of persistent delay.