title: Neurocognitive development and behaviour in school-aged children after surgery for univentricular or biventricular congenital heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium iemke.sarrechia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Iemke
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sarrechia
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Head, Neck and Nerve System, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miatton
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Daniël
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Wolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: François
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gewillig
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyns
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vingerhoets
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Congenital heart defect; Hypoplastic left heart; Neurodevelopmental outcome; Neuropsychology; Tricuspid atresia