The study’s goal was to analyse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with biliary atresia (BA) who survived with their original liver between the ages of 3 and 12 years, as well as to evaluate factors associated with neurodevelopment. Neurodevelopmental testing was performed on participants in a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter research using the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 3rd edition and the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition. Kolmogorov-Smironov tests were used to compare continuous scores to a normal distribution. Linear regression was used to examine the effect of variables on Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ). Ninety-three people took 164 WPPSI-III and 51 WISC-IV examinations. When compared to test norms, the WPPSI-III FSIQ, Verbal IQ, and General Language Composite distributions were moved higher. The WISC-IV FSIQ, Perceptual Reasoning Index, and Processing Speed Index all increased. Parental education was found to be a significant predictor of FSIQ on the WPPSI-III and a positive predictor of WISC-IV FSIQ in both univariate and multivariable analyses. Male sex, as well as greater total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), were associated with lower WPPSI-III FSIQ. Lower WISC-IV FSIQ was associated with portal hypertension.
There was no evidence of a greater frequency of neurodevelopmental deficits in this group of children with BA and native liver. Advanced liver disease markers correlate with poorer FSIQ and may identify a susceptible subset of individuals who may benefit from intervention.
