To the editor:
I read with great interest the article published by Bagenda D. et Al
(1) "Health, Neurologic, and Cognitive Status of HIV-Infected, Long-
Surviving, and Antiretroviral-Naive Ugandan Children." In the
methodology they make reference to the Kaufman battery of Intelligence for
Children (K-ABC) indicating that includes four scales: the Sequential-
processing scale, the Simultaneous-processing scale, the Achievement
scale, and the Nonverbal scale. They indicate that, in the study, they
didn't apply the Achievement scale and the Nonverbal scale as a result of
their cultural specificity. It is important to clarify that The
Nonverbal Scale is not an independent scale, it is composed of subtest
from the Sequential-processing and Simultaneous processing scales that do
not require words (2). It is not possible to exclude the evaluation of
the Nonverbal scale if they have used the scales of mental processing;
however this misinterpretation of the K-ABC scales didn't influence the
results of the study.
Gradually the battery K-ABC is gaining space as a practical
instrument in the evaluation of the intelligence that separates, in a very
effective way, aspects related with fluid intelligence and crystallized
intelligence. To have a separated Achievement scale allows to evaluate
children's individual style in the processing of information and
resolution of problems without the strong impact of factors related to
educational or cultural levels (crystallized intelligence).
1. Bagenda D, Nassali A, Kalyesubula I, et Al. Health, Neurologic,
and Cognitive Status of HIV-Infected, Long-Surviving, and Antiretroviral-
Naïve Ugandan Children. Pediatrics 2006; 117: 729-740
2. Helland I, Smith L, Saarem K, et Al. Maternal Supplementation With
Very-Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and Lactation Augments
Children’s IQ at 4 years of Age. Pediatrics 2003; 111: e39-e44.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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