title: Neurodevelopmental outcome after surgery for acyanotic congenital heart disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inconsistent results on neuropsychological outcome in patients treated for acyanotic congenital heart disease (aCHD) questioned the clinical relevance of possible neurobehavioral sequelae in this group. This study was designed to objectify the neuropsychological profile and evaluate associations with medical data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with a corrected atrial or ventricular septal defect, ASD-II or VSD, (n=46; mean age 9 years, 2 months) and a matched control group were submitted to an intelligence test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, third edition, Dutch version) and evaluated with a neuropsychological test battery (Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, second edition, Dutch version). Hospitalization variables were retrieved to evaluate associations with cognitive outcome. Parents completed a behavioral checklist (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist for Children aged 6-18).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ASD-II patients showed lower scores in domains of visuospatial processing, language, attention, and social perception. VSD patients displayed subtle problems in attention and visuospatial information processing. Only few perioperative medical factors, but also socioeconomic variables were associated with cognitive outcomes. Parents of ASD-II patients reported more school problems when compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After treatment for aCHD, subtle cognitive difficulties can present in domains of visuospatial information processing, language, attention, and social perception. These shortcomings might hamper school performances, as is suggested by lower school competence ratings. Ongoing follow-up and cognitive screening is warranted to promote developmental progress, in which both parents and clinicians share responsibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: iemke.sarrechia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Iemke
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sarrechia
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miatton
authors.affiliation: Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: François
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gewillig
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyns
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vingerhoets
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics-Pediatric Cardiology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Daniël
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Wolf
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007802:Language; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D065855:Spatial Processing; D014888:Wechsler Scales
keywords: Atrial septal defect; Congenital heart defect; Neurodevelopmental outcome; Neuropsychology; Ventricular septal defect