Longitudinal behaviour of children with complex congenital heart disease from preschool to adolescence
Behavioural outcomes in patients with complex congenital heart disease (cCHD) are highly heterogenous both between patients and over time. This study identified distinct subgroups of behavioural trajectories, including one with increasing difficulties over time, one with decreasing difficulties, and one without persistent problems. Children with cCHD with behavioural problems also frequently require special educational needs. Higher child IQ and better maternal mental health during preschool predicted favourable behavioural outcomes over time. Repeated neurodevelopmental follow-ups into adolescence and the implementation of family-centred care are key to identify at-risk individuals and support long-term outcomes in cCHD.
Authors
- Flavia M. Wehrle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5992-0424)
- Ingrid A. Beck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7438-3209)
- Melanie Ehrler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4253-2016)
- Beatrice Latal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1309-4790)
- Emanuela R. Valsangiacomo Buechel
- Jessica Fervença Ramos
- Markus A. Landolt
Institutions
- King's College London (GB)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- University Children's Hospital Zurich (CH)
- Ostschweizer Kinderspital (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pediatric Research
- Published
- 2026-03-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-026-04839-2
- Primary Topic
- Congenital Heart Disease Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
- Mäxi-Stiftung
- Robert Koch Institut