MMSEc Tool Helps Identify Intellectual Disabilities in Children

Source: Journal of child neurology

Summary

This study looked at how well the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination for Children (MMSEc) can identify intellectual disabilities in children aged 6 to 14. Researchers compared the MMSEc scores of 56 children with epilepsy to those of 56 children without any neurological disorders. The goal was to see if the MMSEc could effectively screen for intellectual disabilities by comparing its results to a standard measure of intelligence called the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ).

The findings showed a strong connection between the MMSEc scores and the FSIQ scores, meaning that children who scored lower on the MMSEc also tended to have lower IQ scores. The MMSEc was able to correctly identify children with an FSIQ below 70 about 77% of the time. It was particularly good at ruling out children who did not have an intellectual disability, with a perfect score for this aspect. However, it was less reliable in identifying all children with disabilities, as it missed some cases.

This research is important because it suggests that the MMSEc could be a quick and effective way to screen for intellectual disabilities in children, especially those with epilepsy. However, it is important to note that while the MMSEc showed good accuracy, it still missed some children who needed further evaluation. Therefore, while it can be a helpful tool, it should not be the only method used to assess a child's cognitive abilities.

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