The motor performance of preschool-aged children after surgery for congenital heart disease

This study compared the motor performance of preschool-aged children who had undergone surgery for congenital heart disease with that of a group of children matched for age, sex, preschool experience, racial and socio-economic background. Analysis of the results indicated that the performances of the children with congenital heart disease were significantly immature compared to the performances of the control children on the total assessment and in the areas of gross motor, muscle strength, fine motor, tone and postural reactions. Sex, age at first surgical intervention and presence of a cyanotic heart defect did not influence the performances of the study group children. Age at assessment and socio-economic background were found to influence motor performances. The need for physiotherapists to be involved in the follow-up of children with congenital heart disease is supported.