Mental, Motor, and Language Development of Toddlers with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Objective To examine the mental, motor, and language development of toddlers with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Study design In this cross-sectional study, 39 toddlers with NF1 (aged 21-30 months) and 42 age-matched control children were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition. Basic vocabulary was assessed with the language subtests from the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Third Edition. Parents completed questionnaires evaluating the children’s expressive language, behavior, and executive functioning. The χ2 test, independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and analysis of covariance were used to examine differences between the two groups. Results The toddlers with NF1 had significantly poorer mental and motor development than the control participants. Parental responses indicated that most of the children with NF1 had delayed language skills. No differences in behavior and executive functioning were noted between the two groups of children. Conclusions Children with NF1 as young as age 30 months demonstrate early signs of mental, motor, and language difficulties. Age 2 years may be the appropriate time to perform an initial developmental assessment to identify mental, motor, and language impairments in children with NF1.