Jedlicka-Köhler I, Sinko-Sanz K, Schlemmer M, Wimmer M
Universitäts-Kinderklinik Wien.
Klin Padiatr. 1995 Mar-Apr;207(2):68-72. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1046514.
To study the effect of transposition of the great arteries on later cognitive functioning.
Twentyeight children and adolescents underwent psychometric testing 3.5 to 13.7 years following operation.
A battery of intelligence, attention and visual memory tasks as well as the Draw-a-Man-Test were administered. Parents completed standardized questionnaires on developmental milestones.
Both, mean verbal (93 +/- 15) and performance IQs (97 +/- 21) were normal. The length of interval between operation and psychologic test but not age at repair was a significant predictor of intelligence quotient. Half of the children (9/18) showed attention deficits, 7/11 (64%) were identified as suspect of brain dysfunction. Performance on the Draw-a-Man-Test disclosed 12 (43%) as slightly mentally retarded.
(1) Cognitive functions in children with TGA are more impaired than suggested by the results of intelligence tests. (2) Psychological and neurologic follow-up should be mandatory from early on. (3) Previous studies have overestimated children's intelligence due to unrecognized changes of test norms.
