Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Disease Face High Risk of Mental Health Disorders, Integrated Care Recommended
Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at a significantly higher risk for mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Nadine Kasparian, PhD, professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, notes that up to 35% of children with CHD are diagnosed with such conditions by age 18. Factors contributing to these challenges include genetics, altered fetal circulation, perioperative neurological injury, repeated medical procedures, hospitalizations, and parental stress. Experts like Dr. Kasparian and Nicholas Seivert, PhD, from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), advocate for an integrated care model where mental health professionals are part of CHD interdisciplinary teams, making psychological care a routine component of comprehensive cardiac care.
