A-056 WISC-V Profiles in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Is the WISC-V Sensitive to Cognitive Impairment in CHD?

Abstract

Abstract Objective Prior research on intellectual development in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) yielded inconsistent findings. No study has yet examined the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fifth Edition (WISC-V). Given its revised factor structure, it is unknown if the WISC-V performs similarly to prior versions in children with CHD. Methods Twenty children (6-13 years) with CHD received the WISC-V; children with co-morbid neurological illness (i.e., stroke, epilepsy) were excluded. Five children underwent the Fontan procedure. Means, standard deviations, and percent impaired (< 5th percentile) were calculated for composites. Effect size estimates compared children with and without the Fontan procedure. Results Mean age was 10.3 (SD = 2.5; 30% male). The mean Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) was 77.8 (SD = 13.7, range = 46-108). No sex difference in age or IQ were observed. The Visual Spatial Index was the lowest composite (VSI; Mean = 78.7, SD = 18.0), followed by the Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI; Mean = 82.0, SD = 15.6), Working Memory Index (WMI; Mean = 82.4, SD = 16.0), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI; Mean = 84.80, SD = 15.29), and Processing Speed Index (PSI; Mean = 85.6, SD = 14.6). The FRI was most frequently impaired (50% of sample), followed by WMI (40%), VSI (35%), and VCI/PSI (20%). Although children who underwent the Fontan procedure did not differ in FSIQ (Cohen’s d = .06, negligible effect size), they performed more poorly on the PSI (Cohen’s d = .87, large effect size). Conclusions The WISC-V detects deficits in visual perceptual abilities commonly seen in CHD. However, FSIQ for our sample was lower than previously reported. Children with a history of Fontan procedure may show slower processing speed.