CYANOTIC HEART DISEASE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Forty-two children of normal intelligence with congenital heart disease between the ages of 4 and 8 years were tested for general intelligence, perceptual motor function, and gross and fine motor coordination. Three groups of children were tested: (1) those with cyanotic heart disease, (2) those with noncyanotic heart disease and a history of congestive heart failures, and (3) those with noncyanotic heart disease and a benign medical history. The first group had lower I.Q. scores, did less well in perceptual motor tasks, and had poorer gross motor coordination than children in the third group. Children of the second group occupied an intermediate position.