Characterization of language profile in children with critical congenital heart disease

Introduction

While motor and cognitive development have been extensively studied in children with heart defects in recent decades, language has been much less so, and rarely in French. The aim of our study was to describe the language profile of children with critical congenital heart disease using standardized speech therapy batteries, and to identify associated vulnerability factors.

Method

33 children aged 5 to 6.5 years at the time of the study, who had undergone cardiac surgery or catheterization before the age of 6 months and had no diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders, were assessed using 7 tests, on the receptive and expressive language skills of phonology, lexicon and morphosyntax, as well as in articulation.

Results

Language performance was below the population average in all subtests, but only lexical comprehension scores were significantly below the population average. Nevertheless, the proportion of children with a pathological language profile (at least 2 subtests ≤ − 1.65 Z Score) was 4 times higher than in the general population. Phonology, morphosyntax and expressive lexicon were particularly affected when the profile was severe. Length of hospitalization and intubation, 1-minute APGAR score and parents’ level of education were significantly associated with the pathological language profile.

Conclusion

Our study confirms that language is an area of development at high risk of vulnerability. Early detection and referral to speech therapy are necessary.