Executive dysfunction in children with early brain disease: Outcomes post Haemophilus influenzae meningitis

Neuropsychological data from a study of the sequelae of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis were analyzed to investigate the validity of tests of executive function. The total sample of school-age children was divided into two groups. The affected group comprised the 53 children who had had the disease and were considered at risk for sequelae. The unaffected group consisted of the remaining 170 children considered at no or minimal risk for sequelae. To examine construct validity, data from the unaffected group were submitted to an exploratory factor analysis. Factor composites were then computed to assess the validity of the factors as measures of disease sequelae and as correlates of achievement and behavioral outcomes. Construct validity was demonstrated by evidence for three executive factors, termed Response Speed, Response Inhibition, and Planning-Sequencing Evidence for concurrent validity was provided by group differences in the Response Speed composite and by associations of all three executive composites with measures of achievement and behavior.