Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Editor biographies
- List of Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Section I Foundations of Executive Function/Dysfunction
- Section II Executive Dysfunction in the Neurodevelopmental and Acquired Disorders
- Introduction to Section II
- Chapter 5 Executive functions in disruptive behavior disorders
- Chapter 6 Executive functions in autism spectrum disorders
- Chapter 7 Executive functions in intellectual disability syndromes
- Chapter 8 Executive functions in pediatric movement and motor control disorders
- Chapter 9 Executive functions in learning disorders
- Chapter 10 Executive functions in mood and anxiety disorders
- Chapter 11 Executive functions in childhood epilepsy
- Chapter 12 Executive functions in pediatric cancer
- Chapter 13 Executive functions in HIV
- Chapter 14 Executive functions and neurotoxic exposure
- Chapter 15 Executive functions after congenital and prenatal insults
- Chapter 16 Executive functions in acquired brain injury
- Section III Applications
- Appendix 1 Abbreviations used in the book
- Appendix 2 Tests/tasks referenced in the book
- Index
- References
Chapter 15 - Executive functions after congenital and prenatal insults
from Section II - Executive Dysfunction in the Neurodevelopmental and Acquired Disorders
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Editor biographies
- List of Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Section I Foundations of Executive Function/Dysfunction
- Section II Executive Dysfunction in the Neurodevelopmental and Acquired Disorders
- Introduction to Section II
- Chapter 5 Executive functions in disruptive behavior disorders
- Chapter 6 Executive functions in autism spectrum disorders
- Chapter 7 Executive functions in intellectual disability syndromes
- Chapter 8 Executive functions in pediatric movement and motor control disorders
- Chapter 9 Executive functions in learning disorders
- Chapter 10 Executive functions in mood and anxiety disorders
- Chapter 11 Executive functions in childhood epilepsy
- Chapter 12 Executive functions in pediatric cancer
- Chapter 13 Executive functions in HIV
- Chapter 14 Executive functions and neurotoxic exposure
- Chapter 15 Executive functions after congenital and prenatal insults
- Chapter 16 Executive functions in acquired brain injury
- Section III Applications
- Appendix 1 Abbreviations used in the book
- Appendix 2 Tests/tasks referenced in the book
- Index
- References
Summary
The pre- and perinatal period of development is an especially sensitive time during which stress and insults to the brain can set in place a series of influences on the developmental trajectory of EF. Issues such as prematurity, extremely low birthweight, anoxic/hypoxic and ischemic events, spina bifida/myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, and prenatal exposure to toxins (see Chapter 14) all provide illustrations of the impact of early insults on the developing brain. With the advancement of medical science, more children with these issues are surviving than ever before. As a result, there is a need to better understand the specific cognitive profiles associated with these complications that often occur during periods of brain development that are critical for EF, particularly when the medical concerns are ongoing.
Prematurity and low birthweight
Extreme prematurity and low birthweight are associated with variability in the development of EF, and also put an infant at greater risk for other medical conditions, such as hemorrhaging, that further implicate the ontogeny of executive processes. Better prenatal care, along with the use of exogenous surfactant in the neonatal period, has allowed many children born extremely early to survive past infancy into childhood. Variations in gestational age and birthweight at the time of delivery create a spectrum of impact, resulting in effects on cognitive development that range from subtle to profound.
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- Information
- Executive Function and DysfunctionIdentification, Assessment and Treatment, pp. 191 - 197Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2012