[Cognitive development of children and adolescents after correction of transposition of great vessels].
BACKGROUND
To study the effect of transposition of the great arteries on later cognitive functioning.


METHODS
Twentyeight children and adolescents underwent psychometric testing 3.5 to 13.7 years following operation.


METHODS
A battery of intelligence, attention and visual memory tasks as well as the Draw-a-Man-Test were administered. Parents completed standardized questionnaires on developmental milestones.


RESULTS
Both, mean verbal (93 +/- 15) and performance IQs (97 +/- 21) were normal. The length of interval between operation and psychologic test but not age at repair was a significant predictor of intelligence quotient. Half of the children (9/18) showed attention deficits, 7/11 (64%) were identified as suspect of brain dysfunction. Performance on the Draw-a-Man-Test disclosed 12 (43%) as slightly mentally retarded.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) Cognitive functions in children with TGA are more impaired than suggested by the results of intelligence tests. (2) Psychological and neurologic follow-up should be mandatory from early on. (3) Previous studies have overestimated children's intelligence due to unrecognized changes of test norms.
Jedlicka-Köhler
I
I
Universitäts-Kinderklinik Wien.
Sinko-Sanz
K
K
Schlemmer
M
M
Wimmer
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000601:surgery*