Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Using Brain Activation nir-HEG/Q-EEG and Execution Measures CPTs in a ADHD Assessment Protocol
Published on: April 1, 2018
Are congenital heart defects connected to more severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?: A systematic review
Mohammed Tarek Hasan1, Mahmoud Shaban Abdelgalil2, Merihan A Elbadawy2
1Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are linked to increased severity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Early ADHD diagnosis in children with CHDs is crucial for better clinical and psychological outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a leading cause of infant mortality.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a multifactorial etiology.
- Previous research indicates a higher incidence of ADHD in cardiac surgery patients.
Conclusions:
- A strong association exists between CHDs and ADHD severity.
- Early ADHD diagnosis in children with CHDs is essential for clinical practice.
- This early diagnosis can improve both clinical and psychological aspects for affected children.
Background:
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common cause of birth defect-related infant morbidity and mortality, affecting 1% of 40,000 births per year in the United States. On the other side, the etiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is multifactorial. Multiple studies have found that cardiac surgery patients have higher morbidity of having this disorder. Many studies have investigated the prevalence of ADHD in different subtypes of CHD, but few have focused on the severity of ADHD symptoms. Thus, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the severity of ADHD symptoms in CHD patients.
Methods:
We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to March 6, 2023 without any restrictions. We included observational studies published in English language that evaluated burden of symptom of ADHD in CHD patients. Moreover, the standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled. P-values <.05 are considered as significant, and we performed all statistical analyses using RevMan software Version 5.4.1.
Results:
Eight studies were included in our review with a total number of 120,158 patients. CHD was associated with a statistically significant increase in both ADHD index T score and ADHD Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Subscale (informant) with (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI [0.40, 0.90], P < .00001, I2 = 81%) and (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI [0.04, 0.28], P = .008, I2 = 0%). Regarding ADHD Inattention Subscale (informant), the pooled data showed that a significant increase of this score in the CHD group (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI [0.13, 0.37], P < .001, I2 = 0%), and ADHD Combined Score (informant) showed a significant increase of this score in the CHD group (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI [0.11, 0.35], P = .0002, I2 = 0%).
Conclusion:
Our study revealed a strong association between CHD and not only ADHD, but also the severity of ADHD, making early diagnosis of ADHD in children with CHD a mandatory step in the clinical evaluation practice to improve these children on both clinical and psychological aspects.
More Related Videos
05:32Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
Published on: December 7, 2018
05:48The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Conduct Disorder
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...