The clinical and psychological features of mental development in children with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome

Objective: to investigate and analyze the specific features of mental development in children with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) in relation to the number of exacerbations.

Patients and methods. A total of 19 infants (8 boys and 11 girls) aged 1 year 7 months to 10 years 7 months with OMS were examined. The investigation included an analysis of medical records, a follow-up of the children with evaluation of their behavior, emotional responses, and mental functions, and an interview with their parents. Pathopsychological and neuropsychological examinations were used separately for children under 5 years and for those over 5 years, respectively.

Results and discussion. It was established that a larger number of OMS exacerbations increased the severity of mental developmental disorders in children if they had >5 deteriorations; there was a severe developmental retardation. The children with OMS were found to have the features of an emotional state and motor behavior and a stable set of the most vulnerable mental processes and functions in the presence of the disease: the neurodynamic features of mental processes; impairments in the motor component of mental functions, including speech; visual and spatial deficits. Positive trends in mental development (as general cognitive interest, readiness for communication with adults) are suggestive of the potential compensation resources that should be used for the psychocorrection and rehabilitation of children with OMS.

Conclusion. Mental retardation is seen in children with OMS, the severity of which increases with the number of disease relapses. There is a need for further studies of children with OMS.

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