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- Title
Neurocognitive development and behaviour in school-aged children after surgery for univentricular or biventricular congenital heart disease.
- Authors
Sarrechia, Iemke; Miatton, Marijke; DeWolf, Daniël; François, Katrien; Gewillig, Marc; Meyns, Bart; Vingerhoets, Guy
- Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term neuropsychological and behavioural profile of school-aged children who were treated for univentricular heart (UVH) conditions or biventricular heart defect (BiVH) in infancy in a cross-sectional study design. METHODS: Sixty-three patients, 17 UVH (13 males, 4 females) and 46 BiVH (19 males, 27 females), were assessed at a mean age of 9.1 years (2.2 years) with an intelligence and neuropsychological test battery. Results were compared between subgroups (UVH, BiVH and a healthy control group). Associations between cognitive outcome, medical and socio-demographic factors were explored. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: Mean intelligence and neuropsychological scores were found within normal ranges for all diagnostic groups. Significant differences between UVH patients and controls emerged on auditory sustained and alternating attention, fine motor skills, visuospatial information processing, and to a lesser extent, memory performance. Parents of UVH patients reported more externalizing problems and school problems. Patient groups did not differ on neuropsychological outcome measures, nor on behavioural problems as rated by parents. CONCLUSIONS: After Fontan completion, patients at school age display intelligence scores within normal population-based ranges. However, they were found at risk for subtle shortcomings in attention, fine motor skills, visuospatial information processing and externalizing behaviour problems. Considerations pertaining to neurobehavioural outcome in school-aged children are discussed.
- Subjects
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY research; HEART abnormalities; PSYCHOLOGY of school children; MOTOR ability research; CHILD Behavior Checklist
- Publication
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2016, Vol 49, Issue 1, p167
- ISSN
1010-7940
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/ejcts/ezv029