Behavioural Problems in Children with Congenital Heart Diseases

Mohamed E. Hassan, Resident of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, EgyptFollow
Eman A. Abdulhai, Lecturer of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
Mona M. Hafez, Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt

Subject Area

Pediatrics

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with neurodevelopmental and behavioral challenges. The purpose of this study was to evaluate behavioral problems in children with CHD. Methods: 103 children with confirmed CHD, aged 6 to 11 years, participated in this observational cross-sectional study. Children with genetic syndromes, neurological or developmental disorders, or any associated chronic medical conditions that may independently affect behavioral functioning were excluded. Behavioral assessment was performed using the parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which generates internalizing, externalizing, and total problem scores. Data on demographics, CHD type (acyanotic vs. cyanotic), and a history of previous cardiac interventions including surgery, catheterization, or both, were recorded for each participant. Participants were considered to have a history of intervention if they had undergone one or more such procedures. Results: The most common diagnoses were atrial septal defect (ASD) (20.4%), ventricular septal defect (VSD) (17.5%), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (10.7%), and double outlet right ventricle (DORV) (8.7%). A history of previous cardiac interventions including surgery, catheterization, or both, was reported in 73 children (70.9%). The mean total problems T-score was 61.28±9.54, with 22.3% of children having scores within the clinical range. Internalizing problems were present in 31.1% of children in the clinical range and 15.5% in the borderline range, while externalizing problems were present in 16.5% of children in the clinical range and 14.6% in the borderline range. A significant association was found between cyanotic CHD and higher internalizing problems T-score (p=0.001) in this sample. Younger age was significantly associated with higher total problems T-scores (p=0.021). No significant associations were observed between behavioral problems T-score and sex, previous history of intervention, or age at first intervention (p>0.05). Conclusion: Cyanotic CHD was associated with higher internalizing behavioral problems in this sample; younger age was associated with higher total behavioral problems. Routine behavioral screening is recommended in this population to enable early intervention.

Recommended Citation

Hassan, Mohamed E.; Abdulhai, Eman A.; and Hafez, Mona M. (2026) "Behavioural Problems in Children with Congenital Heart Diseases," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 56 : Iss. 2 , Article 19.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1618