Cognitive function following head CT in childhood: a randomized controlled follow-up trial

Abstract

Background The question has been raised whether low dose radiation toward the brain in childhood can affect cognitive functions. Purpose To examine if a head computed tomography (CT) examination in childhood affect later cognitive functions. Material and Methods A total of 147 participants (67 girls/women, 80 boys/men) from a previous randomized controlled trial on management strategies after mild head injury (head CT examination or in-hospital observation) were followed up. Participants were aged 6–16 years (mean age = 11.2 ± 2.8) at first inclusion and 11–24 years (mean age = 17.8 ± 2.9) at follow-up. Computerized neuropsychological measures used for the assessment were motor speed and coordination, reaction time, selective attention, visuospatial ability, verbal and non-verbal short-term and long-term memory, and executive function tests from the neurocognitive test battery EuroCog and the Wechsler Memory Scale III. Results were analyzed with Student’s t-tests and multivariate analyses adjusting for sex, age at time of injury/exposure, and age at assessment were performed with Factorial ANOVAs. Results The exposed and unexposed groups did not differ in any of the neuropsychological measures and results did not change when sex, age at time of injury/exposure, and age at assessment were included in the analyses. Conclusion A head CT examination at the age of 6–16 years does not seem to affect later cognitive functions.