Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients with congenital heart disease

Neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly executive function impairments, are currently the most prevalent long-term morbidity in the population with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children with congenital heart disease. 

This was a retrospective cohort study, which was performed during 2002-2018 on patients with CHD referred to the pediatric cardiology clinic of Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Using the census method, all files for which ADHD diagnosis should be included in the study. Diagnosis of CHD was performed clinically and using an echocardiographic machine by an experienced pediatric cardiologist. Demographic, clinical, and para-clinical data of patients and the type of heart intervention were collected and analyzed. The data were analyzed through SPSS software version 16.5, descriptive statistics, and the Chi-square test.

In this study, 136 patients were enrolled. The mean age of participants in the study was 59.12± 45.84 months at the time of diagnosis. An abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) was reported in three cases (2.2%). There was a significant correlation between prematurity and developmental delay (P= 0.01). The mean age was significantly different in patients with minor rather than those with major cardiac disorders (P< 0.05). The prevalence of ADHD in the CHD population was high (31.6%).

This study demonstrated that children born with congenital heart disease are at increased risk of suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.