Clinical Predictors of Neurocognitive Status in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease: Neurocognitive Status in Chronic Kidney Disease

Background and Aim: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often associated with a variety ofcognitive deficits. This will have significant lifelong implications. Therefore, we measure theclinical predictors of cognitive impairment.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a third-level hospital from October2017 to December 2018. A total of 41 patients with CKD stage III to V and V on dialysis,aged 6 to 14 years of both sexes were included in this study. CKD was staged according tothe estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The Wechsler intelligence scales for childrenrevised(WISC-R) were provided as an individualized measure of verbal and performanceabilities. Then individual score was compared among the study population.Results: A total of 41 patients were studied. The Mean±SD age was 10.35±2.19 years. Themajority were male (56%) and the male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1. Full-scale intelligencequotient (IQ) deficits were found in 31 patients (75.6%) and most of them had mild cognitivedeficits (96.8%). Among them, verbal IQ deficit was found in 7 patients (17.1%), performanceIQ deficit in 6(14.6%), and combined IQ deficit in 18(43.9%). IQ score did not depend onthe severity of the disease. The duration of the disease was longer and the age at initiationof renal replacement therapy (RRT) was lower, for those with the cognitive deficit, was notsignificant. School attendance and performance were significantly poor in cognitive deficitpatients but anemia and hypertension had no significant impact.Conclusion: The mild cognitive deficit was often associated with childhood CKD but notrelated to the severity of the disease. Therefore, the cognitive function should be routinelyscreened and monitored during the evaluation of children with CKD