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Aim: In this study, we examined (1) the presence of abnormally low scores (below 10th percentile) in various visual motion perception aspects in children with brain damage, while controlling for their cognitive developmental delay; (2) whether the risk is increased in comparison with the observation and expectation in a healthy control group and healthy population.Methods: Performance levels of 46 children with indications of brain damage (Mage = 7y4m, SD = 2y4m) on three visual motion perception aspects (global motion, motion speed, motion-defined form) were evaluated. We used developmental age as entry of a preliminary reference table to classify the patient’s performance levels. Then we compared the percentages of abnormally low scores with percentages expected in the healthy population using estimated base rates and the observed percentages in the control sample (n = 119).Results: When using developmental age as reference level, the percentage of low scores on at least one of the three tasks was significantly higher than expected in the healthy population [19/46, 41% (95%CI: 28–56%), p = 0.03]. In 15/19 (79% [95%CI: 61–97%] patients only one aspect of motion perception was affected. Four patients performed abnormally low on two out of three tasks, which is also higher than expected (4/46, 8.7%, 95%CI: 2.4–20.8% vs. 2.1%; z = 2.61, p < 0.01). The observed percentages in the patient group were also higher than found in the control group.Interpretation: There is some evidence that children with early brain damage have an increased risk of isolated and combined motion perception problems, independent of their performance IQ.

Aim: In this study, we examined (1) the presence of abnormally low scores (below 10th percentile) in various visual motion perception aspects in children with brain damage, while controlling for their cognitive developmental delay; (2) whether the risk is increased in comparison with the observation and expectation in a healthy control group and healthy population. Methods: Performance levels of 46 children with indications of brain damage (Mage = 7y4m, SD = 2y4m) on three visual motion perception aspects (global motion, motion speed, motion-defined form) were evaluated. We used developmental age as entry of a preliminary reference table to classify the patient's performance levels. Then we compared the percentages of abnormally low scores with percentages expected in the healthy population using estimated base rates and the observed percentages in the control sample (n = 119). Results: When using developmental age as reference level, the percentage of low scores on at least one of the three tasks was significantly higher than expected in the healthy population [19/46, 41% (95%CI: 28–56%), p = 0.03]. In 15/19 (79% [95%CI: 61–97%] patients only one aspect of motion perception was affected. Four patients performed abnormally low on two out of three tasks, which is also higher than expected (4/46, 8.7%, 95%CI: 2.4–20.8% vs. 2.1%; z = 2.61, p < 0.01). The observed percentages in the patient group were also higher than found in the control group. Interpretation: There is some evidence that children with early brain damage have an increased risk of isolated and combined motion perception problems, independent of their performance IQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with perinatally acquired parenchymal haemorrhage are thought to have better visual perceptual skills than those with leukomalacia. We examined seven prematurely born children with parenchymal haemorrhage and 14 with grades 2–4 leukomalacia, at the age of 5 years. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging parameters were related to visual perceptual performance assessed with the L94, using performance age. Belonging to the leukomalacia group, the inability to walk, a diminished peritrigonal white matter, a high degree of gliosis and cortical damage were associated with poorer visuo-perceptual skills. Enlarged lateral ventricles, confirming the findings of Melhelm (Radiology 214 (2000) 199), were associated with both cognitive, perceptual and motor problems and probably reflect the considerable extent of the brain damage. Specific factors protecting against visual perceptual impairment were a preserved volume of the right optical radiation and of the splenium of the corpus callosum. Children with leukomalacia are at considerable risk of visual perceptual impairment. Children with right-sided parenchymal haemorrhages also appear to be at risk although they function much better due to better motor and cognitive skills. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]