Neurocognitive and psychosocial profiles of children with Turner syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) have distinct neurocognitive and psychosocial characteristics. However, few clinical studies have reported neuropsychological findings in Korean patients. This study investigated the neurocognitive and psychosocial profiles of Korean children with TS.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 20 pediatric patients (<18 years) with TS at the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at Yonsei University Severance Children’s Hospital in South Korea from January 2016 to March 2019. We selected 20 age- and sex-matched controls from among those who visited the endocrinology clinic and were confirmed to have no clinical abnormalities. All participants underwent several neuropsychological tests.

Results: In the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV test, the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient of the TS group was within the normal range. The Perceptual Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index scores were significantly lower in the TS group than in the control group. In contrast, the Verbal Comprehension Index did not differ significantly between the groups. The Comprehensive Attention Test results showed that the TS group displayed borderline visual selective attention. The social quotient score was significantly lower in the TS group than in the control group.

Conclusion: Pediatric patients with TS in Korea displayed distinct neurocognitive and psychosocial characteristics. Patients in the TS group maintained their verbal function, but their attention, visuospatial function, and social competence were low. Our findings will contribute to the development of education programs for patients with TS to improve their neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning.