title: Neurobehavioural functioning in school-aged children with a corrected septal heart defect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study assesses neurobehavioural consequences after surgical treatment for acyanotic congenital heart defect at the age of 5 to 12 years.
  
  
  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 Parents of patients reported more withdrawn behaviour, social difficulties, thought problems, attentional shortcomings and lower competence for activities.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.
authors: Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. iemke.sarrechia@ugent.be
authors: Iemke
authors: I
authors: Sarrechia
authors: Marijke
authors: M
authors: Miatton
authors: Daniël
authors: D
authors: De Wolf
authors: Katrien
authors: K
authors: François
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Vingerhoets
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests