Cognitive and motor performance in Congolese children with konzo during 4 years of follow-up: a longitudinal analysis

摘要: Summary Background Konzo is an irreversible upper-motor neuron disorder affecting children dependent on bitter cassava for food. The neurocognitive ability of with konzo over time has yet to be fully documented. Methods We did a longitudinal study in outbreak zone continuously affected by since 1990, the district Kahemba, southern Bandundu Province, Congo. enrolled record neurological diagnosis Kahemba town. For all final sample baseline assessment, exam was done neurologists confirm using 1996 WHO criteria at 2 years and 4 years. In initial each child konzo, we attempted get consent from comparison without (1996 criteria) within age, neighbouring household who met inclusion criteria. neuropsychological assessments were Kaufman Assessment Battery Children, second edition (KABC-II), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Motor Proficiency, (BOT-2). Findings Data collection occurred between Oct 12, 2011, Aug 14, 2015, town Kahemba. 123 Congo 87 presumably healthy households enrolled. planned completed 76 82 2-year follow-up, 55 33 4-year follow-up. Boys worse than those KABC-II Learning (p=0·0424) Mental Processing Index (MPI; p=0·0111) but girls not. These differences observed boys might have been caused stunting. At difference MPI score or not significant. Both had lower scores BOT-2 both follow-up times (p Interpretation cognitive performance continues significantly impaired compared konzo. Because these impairments are associated part exposure poorly processed as measured urinary thiocyanate, interventions urgently needed ensure improved processing detoxify this food source. Funding US National Institutes Health.