Ps. Hagemo et al., HYPOPLASTIC LEFT-HEART SYNDROME - MULTIPROFESSIONAL FOLLOW-UP IN THE MIDTERM FOLLOWING PALLIATIVE PROCEDURES, Cardiology in the young, 7(3), 1997, pp. 248-253
Of the 12 children who represent the complete cohort of Norwegian pati
ents surviving the complete palliative operative programme for hypopla
stic left heart syndrome, 10 were studied by a pediatric cardiologist,
a pediatric neurologist, a neuropsychologist and a child psychiatrist
. We found significant morbidity. Hemodynamic function was relatively
uncompromised in eight of the patients, but one had significant cyanos
is due to use of an operative technique subsequently abandoned and one
had obstruction of the flow of blood from the left to the right atriu
m. Five children had disturbances of rhythm, with one requiring insert
ion of a pacemaker. One child had epilepsy. Delayed motor development,
most often to mild degree, was found in seven children, while six had
attention problems. Mental retardation was found in two children and
autistic traits in one. Despite these various problems, the parents we
re seemingly satisfied with their own lives, and the quality of life o
f their children.