No Evidence Seen for Differences in IQ After Pediatric Concussion

MONDAY, July 17, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- There is no evidence for clinically meaningful differences in IQ scores after pediatric concussion, according to a study published online July 17 in Pediatrics.

Ashley L. Ware, Ph.D., from Georgia State University in Atlanta, and colleagues recruited children for two prospective cohort studies from emergency departments at children's hospitals ≤48 hours after sustaining a concussion or orthopedic injury. IQ and performance validity testing were completed postacutely (three to 18 days postinjury) or three months postinjury. Three complementary statistical approaches (linear modeling, Bayesian, and multigroup factor analysis) were used to examine group differences in IQ scores.

The researchers observed small group differences in full-scale IQ and matrix reasoning, but not in vocabulary scores using linear models. There was no association seen for IQ scores with previous concussion, acute clinical features, injury mechanism, a validated clinical risk score, preinjury or postinjury symptom ratings, litigation, or symptomatic status at one month after injury. Moderate to very strong evidence against group differences in IQ scores was seen in Bayesian models. Strict measurement invariance was seen in a multigroup factor analysis, indicating group equivalence in factor structure of the IQ test and latent variable means.

"These results indicate that pediatric concussion does not negatively affect intellectual functioning early and up to three months postinjury, and hence suggest that using IQ tests to assess concussion outcomes is likely of limited utility," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the publishing industry.

Abstract/Full Text

Editorial