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Neurobehavioural functioning in school-aged children with a corrected septal heart defect
Iemke Sarrechia1, Marijke Miatton, Daniël De Wolf
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. iemke.sarrechia@ugent.be
Insights
Children with acyanotic congenital heart defects show subtle neurobehavioral challenges after surgery. These include difficulties in attention, fine motor skills, and language, alongside behavioral issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neuropsychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are common birth abnormalities.
- Surgical repair is standard treatment for many CHDs.
- Neurobehavioral outcomes post-surgery require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess neurobehavioral consequences in children aged 5-12 years after surgical treatment for acyanotic CHDs.
- To compare neuropsychological and behavioral functioning between surgically treated children and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Neuropsychological assessments including WISC-III-NL and Nepsy.
- Parent-reported behavioral and emotional functioning using Child Behaviour Checklist.
- Self-perception questionnaires for older children.
Main Results:
- Children with acyanotic CHDs showed significant group differences in attention, fine motor skills, and language abilities compared to controls.
- Parents reported more withdrawn behavior, social difficulties, attentional problems, and lower competence in daily activities for the patient group.
- Intelligence scores were within the average range, but specific cognitive and behavioral deficits were observed.
Conclusions:
- Surgical intervention for acyanotic CHDs is associated with subtle neurobehavioral difficulties, particularly in language and fine motor skills.
- Behavioral problems are prevalent in this patient population.
- Identifying risk factors for adverse neurobehavioral outcomes is crucial for future research and clinical management.
Objective:
This cross-sectional study assesses neurobehavioural consequences after surgical treatment for acyanotic congenital heart defect at the age of 5 to 12 years.
Methods And Results:
Fifteen school-aged children who underwent surgical intervention for a septal heart defect were examined with the short form Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-third Edition, Dutch Version (WISC-III-NL), and a neuropsychological assessment with the Nepsy. Performances were compared to a matched healthy control group. Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist and were interviewed to rate the child's cognitive and emotional functioning. Children older than eight years filled out a self-perception questionnaire. Analyses revealed significant differences between the study groups on several cognitive and behavioural domains. Estimated intelligence scores were in the average range. Domains of attention and fine motor skills, and the subtest level of language abilities, elicited significant group differences, with less favourable outcomes for the patient group. Parents of patients reported more withdrawn behaviour, social difficulties, thought problems, attentional shortcomings and lower competence for activities. These parents also indicated poor problem solving skills in everyday activities.
Conclusions:
Surgical patients displayed subtle neuropsychological difficulties concerning language and fine motor skills. Behavioural difficulties were common. Future research should address risk factors for adverse neurobehavioural manifestations in this patient group.
