Congenital heart disease (CHD) has a known association with cognitive impairment in children. A meta-analysis involving 74 studies has shown that more severe CHD can lead to worse neurocognitive outcomes.

Among 3,645 children with CHD, the overall estimate of total IQ was 96.03. Children having hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and univentricular heart disease (UVH) were noted to have significantly lower mean IQ scores (HLHS - 88.47 and UVH - 92.65). Those with milder subtypes of CHD, including atrial septum defect (ASD) or ventricular septum defect (VSD), had a mean IQ of 98.51. The IQ deficit in children with CHD was more marked when compared with their healthy counterparts, with a mean difference of -9.9 points. The findings are published in the journal Pediatrics… (Medpage Today)