Neurocognitive development and behaviour in school-aged children after surgery for univentricular or biventricular congenital heart disease

Sarrechia, Iemke; Miatton, Marijke; De Wolf, Daniël; François, Katrien; Gewillig, Marc; Meyns, Bart; Vingerhoets, Guy

doi:10.1093/EJCTS/EZV029

Title

Neurocognitive development and behaviour in school-aged children after surgery for univentricular or biventricular congenital heart disease

Author

Sarrechia, Iemke

Miatton, Marijke

De Wolf, 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.

Language

English

Source (journal)

European journal of cardiothoracic surgery. - Berlin

European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery

Publication

Berlin : 2016

ISSN

1010-7940

DOI

10.1093/EJCTS/EZV029

Volume/pages