Brain Function in Children With Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

Brain Network Function in School-age Children With Congenital Heart Disease and Its Relation to Higher Order Cognitive Functions

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the neurodevelopmental outcome and in particular executive functions in 9 to 14 year old school children with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgery during their first three months of life is impaired in comparison to healthy children at same age. Executive functions are higher order cognitive functions and critical for school success.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Congenital heart disease,
• Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery during first three months of life,
• No genetic syndrome,
• Gestational age > 37 weeks of gestation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Heart surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass,
• Heart surgery not within first three months of life,
• Born <37 weeks of gestation,
• Any genetic syndrome detected.