ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the neuropsychological and behavioral profiles of school-aged children treated for atrial septal defect, secundum type (ASD-II) with open-heart surgery or catheterization. STUDY DESIGN: Patients (n = 48; mean age, 9 years, 3 months) and a matched healthy group (mean age, 9 years, 2 months) were evaluated with a shortened intelligence scale (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, third edition, Dutch version) and a developmental neuropsychological test battery (Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, second edition, Dutch version). Parents completed behavioral checklists (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist for Children aged 6-18). Hospitalization variables were retrieved from medical files for studying associations with long-term neurodevelopment. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy matched controls, patients treated for ASD-II had significantly lower scores on subtasks underlying such Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, second edition, Dutch version domains as Attention and Executive Functioning, Language, Working Memory, Sensorimotor Functioning, Social Cognition, and Visuospatial Information Processing. Only subtle differences, mainly in Visuospatial Information Processing, were found between the surgical repair and transcatheter repair groups. Socioeconomic status, longer hospital stay, and larger defect size were associated with neurocognitive outcome measures. Parents of patients reported more thought problems, posttraumatic stress problems, and lower school performance compared with parents of healthy peers. CONCLUSION: After treatment for ASD-II, children display a range of neuropsychologic difficulties that may increase their risk for learning problems and academic underachievement. Differences related to treatment were not found. Our results suggest that neurodevelopmental and behavioral follow-up at school age is warranted in this group.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Catheterization/methods , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/methods , Child Behavior/psychology , Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/surgery , Adolescent , Cardiac Catheterization/psychology , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/psychology , Child , Female , Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/psychology , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological TestsABSTRACT
Although Anne had many complex health issues and experienced considerable support from her extended family, she wanted freedom from the restrictions posed by peritoneal dialysis. Her quality of life changed after transplantation, with more opportunities to engage in leisure activities, ability to travel, a less restricted diet, and an improved self-image. She required fewer treatments, surgeries, and hospitalizations. She left behind the role of sick child and took up a role more like a healthy child. During the disease and decision-making process, Anne learned coping mechanisms, allowing her to gain autonomy to make decisions. The case study illustrates both the need to listen to children as well as to care for the entire family. The nursing management of this child and her family was continually changing, and multiple strategies were used to support the family. The nurse came to understand the roles of family members in constant change, the sources of their resources, and foci of tensions. Based on this knowledge, the nurse can act by mobilizing resources, strengthening the confidence of family members, and helping them develop coping mechanisms. In conclusion, care of the ill child must be family-centered. Stresses on the family have an impact on the child and vice versa. The potential to influence the quality of life of both the child and the family is considerable.