Preoperative cognition of children with congenital heart disease

Objective To explore the preoperative cognition of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods The cognition (including intelligence, motion and behavior ability) profiles of 443 surgical CHD children were assessed with Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC), Wechsler preschool & primary scale of intelligence (WPPSI), Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT) and Bayley scales of infant development II test (Bayley-II). Results Only 49.0% were normal in older group (>3 years). And the mean intelligence quotient (79.51±18.01) of those in WISC and WPPSI groups was below average quality. In younger group (<3 years), only 50.4% infants fulfilled the cognition standard. Both mental development index (MDI, 94.3±17.4) and psychological development index (PDI, 86.8±18.8) were lower than average quality. The incidences of lower cognition (62.6%), mental retardation (56.4%) and bradykinesia (63.7%) were higher in those with complicated CHD. MDI of children with complicated CHD (85.35±20.6)were obviously lower than those with ventricular septal defect (VSD, 95.1±18.7) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, 101.3±23.7). PDI children with complicated CHD (75.4±20.3) or tetralogy of Fallot (TOF, 75.6±23.2) were obviously lower than those with VSD (92.7±18.8). All differences showed statistical significance. Conclusions Neurocognition, specially motion development, of children is affected by CHD. Key words: Heart diseases, Congenital; Child; Cognition