Abstract
The developmental status of 53 adolescents with congenital rubella syndrome was surveyed at 16–18 years. The aim was to determine current status and compare neurodevelopmental functioning with that of 18 months. During infancy the majority had multisystem disorders. At 16–18 yrs. many earlier medical problems are no longer of functional importance while neurosensory and developmental problems remain. The majority (77%.) are multihandicapped. Twenty-five (47%) show average intelligence, 12 (25%.) low average, and 15 (28%) are retarded. Eight scored higher than at 18 mos., eleven lower, but none went from average to retarded or the reverse. The number with cerebral palsy and hyperkinesis has decreased. Behavioral disturbances continue in 11. The number with proven hearing loss has increased (23–49). Twelve considered te hear normally at 18 mos., and 13 of 14 considered “suspect” are now hearing impaired. Seven progressed in severity, one improved. Children with hearing loss were initially entered into oral programs designed to teach lipreading and speech for communication. At 16–18 yrs, oral speech/lipreading remains the predominant mode only for those children whose hearing loss was diagnosed after 18 mos, is unilateral or mild-moderate in degree. Ninety percent of children (18 of 20) with severe/profound loss diagnosed prior to 18 mos failed to develop adequate speech/lipreading skills and now communicate in the manual mode. Educational implications of these findings will be discussed.
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Desmond, M., Wilson, G., Murphy, M. et al. 37 CONGENITAL RUBELLA CHILDREN AT ADOLESCENCE: DEVELOPMENIAL STATUS. Pediatr Res 19, 117 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00067
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00067