Abstract
Previous studies have reported lower IQ's for cyanotic versus acyanotic children with congenital heart disorders, a finding attributed to the degree of hypoxemia present. Several important variables have not been examined consistently including: neurologic disorders; definitive surgery; degree of sickness; age at testing; sex; and social class. The present study examined the relationship of these variables to obtained IQ measures for 82 consecutively admitted children exclusive of children with abnormal neurological examinations (MWL) or having received definitive corrective surgery. Consistent with earlier reports, IQ's for the acyanotic children (M=112.8; SD=14.52) were significantly higher (t=2.60; p<.01) than for the cyanotic group (M=103.50; SD=15.81). While sex, race and social class were not significantly different between the 28 cyanotic and the 54 acyanotic children, the cyanotic children were significantly sicker (x2=9.12; p<.01) and younger (t=4.10; p<.001). However, when young versus old children and the degree of sickness within cyanotic or acyanotic groups were compared, no significant differences were found. These findings demonstrate that IQ differences between cyanotic and acyanotic children persist when the effect of neurological abnormalities and definitive surgery are removed and remain despite the severity of sickness or child's age at testing.
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Aram, P., Ekelman, B., Levinsohn, M. et al. 26 IQ DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CYANOTIC AND ACYANOTIC CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISORDERS: FACT OR ARTIFACT?. Pediatr Res 19, 115 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00056