LINGUISTIC AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS IN 4-6 YEARS OLD PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS BEFORE AND AFTER SURGICAL CORRECTION

Abstract

Highlights There are data about speech disorders in children with congenital heart defects. The results of the speech research in 4–6 years old children before and after surgery are described according to the surgical tactics.    Aim. To compare linguistic and cognitive disorders in in 4–6 years old children with congenital heart defects before and after surgery.Methods. A prospective investigation of group of children (n = 92) with septal heart defects was done before and after surgery and within decreed terms: in 1 and 2 years after the surgical correction of congenital heart defects in cardiopulmonary bypass or in cath-lab in Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases. The anamnesis, clinical and hemodynamic aspects were studied before and after surgery, as well as early postoperative period, residual hemodynamic disorders and speech diagnostic was also done.Results. 57% children had different speech disorders (general or delayed speech development) in preoperative period. It was made worse by cardiosurgery: the number of children with speech disorders increased to 63% in a year after surgery and was 59.8% in 2 years, while there was a positive dynamic in clinical and hemodynamic aspects.     Conclusion. There are speech disorders in children with septal heart defects after surgery in long-term postoperative period despite of clinical and hemodynamic normalization. That can lead to the real risks and quality of life worsening in general in the absence of timely correction.